The Master and Margarita

by Mikhail Bulgakov
The Master and Margarita cover
Good Books rating 4.42
Fantasy
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Technical
  • ID: 3660
  • Added: 2025-10-18
  • Updated: 2026-03-04
  • ISBN: 9780141916521
  • Publisher: Penguin UK
  • Published: 2007-09-06
  • Formats: 26
  • Reviews: 4

The devil, dressed in a fancy suit, descends upon Moscow with his raucous band of accomplices, including a gun-toting tomcat, wreaking havoc and chaos. As disappearances, destruction, and death spread through the city, Margarita finds herself in a desperate situation when her lover vanishes in the turmoil. In a bold and perilous move, she decides to dabble in black magic, striking a bargain with the devil to save the man she loves. The story weaves together elements of the supernatural, love, and the consequences of playing with dark forces. /n/n Written by Mikhail Bulgakov, The Master and Margarita is a classic of Soviet literature, known for its satirical and allegorical elements. The novel explores themes of good and evil, censorship, and the power of art, all wrapped in a fantastical and humorous narrative that has captivated readers for decades.

Reviews
The BookBag · Magda Healey · 2025-10-18
excellent 5.00

The book is a masterpiece with excellent writing and humor, particularly appreciated for its satirical elements and critique of authority. The reviewer finds it both clever and deeply engaging.

Magda Healey praises The Master and Margarita as a true masterpiece, highlighting its excellent writing and humor. She particularly appreciates the book's satirical elements and its clear critique of authority. The reviewer finds the narrative both clever and deeply engaging, making it a standout work of literary fiction. The blend of humor and serious commentary is noted as a key strength, enhancing the overall reading experience.

Quick quotes

    Customers find this book to be a true masterpiece with excellent writing and humor, particularly appreciating its satirical elements and clear critique of the ...

    The Master and Margarita is a multi-layered book with many symbolic references.

    It is a book that takes your breath away and makes you laugh out loud, sometimes at its cleverness, sometimes because it's just so funny and ...

Potpourri2015 · 2024-06-25
insightful 4.00

The book is a sharp satire of the Soviet regime, highlighting its repression and the role of the secret police. Its multi-layered narrative offers a profound critique of the era.

The reviewer appreciates the book as a biting satire that effectively critiques the Soviet regime, particularly its repressive tactics and the role of the secret police. They find the multi-layered narrative rich and thought-provoking, offering a deep dive into the psychological and social dynamics of the time. The book's ability to blend humor with serious commentary is particularly noted, making it a compelling read.

Quick quotes

    At one level, it is very much a satire and through it a critique of the Soviet regime at the time, including the repression—the secret police ...

    The Master and Margarita is a multi-layered book with many symbolic references.

    It does help to dig into the history of Russia and Eastern Europe of the 1920s ...

RR Horton · 2021-05-16
excellent 4.50

This book is a famous 20th Century Russian novel that combines elements of fantasy and comedy. It is considered one of the great novels of the 20th Century.

The reviewer celebrates this book as a famous 20th Century Russian novel, highlighting its unique combination of fantasy and comedy. They consider it one of the great novels of the 20th Century, appreciating its rich narrative and imaginative storytelling. The reviewer notes the book's ability to blend different genres seamlessly, making it a standout work of literature. They suggest that the book's enduring popularity is a testament to its quality and impact.

Quick quotes

    The Master and Margarita is a famous 20th Century Russian novel.

    It's also a fantasy novel, and a comic novel, and one of the great novels of the 20th Century.

    It's a unique combination of a love story, vicious satire, philosophical treaty, fantasy, horror.

The Exiled Soul · 2020-02-02
thought-provoking 4.20

The novel is a multi-layered work with rich symbolic references, requiring a deep understanding of Russian history. The reviewer appreciates the novel's complexity and depth.

This review highlights the multi-layered nature of Bulgakov's novel, noting its rich symbolic references and the need for a deep understanding of Russian history. The reviewer appreciates the novel's complexity and depth, finding it a rewarding read. They also mention the novel's ability to blend fantasy with reality, creating a rich and thought-provoking narrative. The reviewer finds the novel's themes timeless and relevant, making it a compelling read.

Quick quotes

    The Master and Margarita is a multi-layered book with many symbolic references.

    It does help to dig into the history of Russia and Eastern Europe of the 1920s to fully appreciate the novel's depth.

    Bulgakov's novel is a rich and thought-provoking exploration of the human condition, blending fantasy with reality in a compelling way.

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