THE MASTER AND MARGARITA: 50th-Anniversary Edition

by Mikhail Bulgakov

The Master and 50th-Anniversary Edition (Classics Deluxe Edition) by Mikhail Bulgakov is a timeless and mesmerizing novel that blends fantasy, romance, and political satire into a powerful narrative. Set in Soviet Russia, the novel follows two intertwining the arrival of the Devil, disguised as a mysterious foreigner named Woland, and the tragic love story between the Master, a writer, and his muse, Margarita. As Woland and his entourage wreak havoc in Moscow, exposing the flaws and corruption of Soviet society, the Master and Margarita's love transcends time and space, taking readers on a journey that explores themes of good and evil, freedom, faith, and the power of artistic creation. Originally completed in the 1930s but published posthumously, The Master and Margarita has become one of the most beloved and enigmatic works of 20th-century literature. This 50th-anniversary edition features a new translation, additional notes, and an introduction that provides deeper insight into the novel’s historical, philosophical, and literary context. An essential edition for both new readers and longtime fans of this literary masterpiece.

Genres: Book Club

563 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 29, 2024

About the author

Mikhail Afanasyevich Bulgakov (Russian: Михаил Булгаков) was a Russian writer, medical doctor, and playwright. His novel The Master and Margarita , published posthumously, has been called one of the masterpieces of the 20th century.

He also wrote the novel The White Guard and the plays Ivan Vasilievich, Flight (also called The Run ), and The Days of the Turbins . He wrote mostly about the horrors of the Russian Civil War and about the fate of Russian intellectuals and officers of the Tsarist Army caught up in revolution and Civil War.

Some of his works ( Flight , all his works between the years 1922 and 1926, and others) were banned by the Soviet government, and personally by Joseph Stalin, after it was decided by them that they "glorified emigration and White generals". On the other hand, Stalin loved The Days of the Turbins (also called The Turbin Brothers ) very much and reportedly saw it at least 15 times.

Reviews

[Michael Compton · Rating 4 out of 5]

My one-sentence review: Alice in Wonderland as written by Nikolai Gogol. If that sounds like your kind of thing, jump in. Dually set in Soviet Russia and an alt history Jerusalem, the novel is part burlesque, part satire, and part meditation on good and evil. There is also a romance, of sorts, between the title characters. Bulgakov's writing is learned and allusive, but highly readable, and endlessly inventive. The scenes featuring the havoc visited upon Moscow by Satan and his cohorts are a lot of fun, although I personally preferred the Pilate narrative, of which I would have liked to see more. The problem with the book, for me, is the fragmented, unbalanced narrative. The title characters don't even appear until the second half, and frankly, I found them to be a bore. Still, this book is an experience unlike any other, and despite its sometimes frustrating narrative, it will linger in the reader's mind long after.

[Eric Muehlstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

a proper happy ending - where everyone dies.

[Jakob Gibson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I struggled with this. It did teach me that it's "as was his wont" not "want". But the constant addition of new characters was relatively difficult to follow. Perhaps that is the point. The suppression of ideas was fascinating as a theme, but it'd be an interesting person for me to recommend this book.

[Andie Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Master and Margarita” by Mikhail Bulgakov was a bit confusing in the beginning, and it was a bit difficult to gage where all of the characters fit into the grand scheme of the storyline, but many of the characters are allegorical characters. Woland can be seen as an allegory for Satan, or possibly God, it was hard to determine. Margarita was very much the hero of the story in which she saves the main character. She is an incredibly powerful and intelligent woman, but she is also naked throughout much of her story arc, and I was hoping her nakedness was allegorical, but I don’t believe it was.
The Master appeared to be a bit of a “Jesus” character, but this wasn’t always easy to determine.
The Pontius Pilate storyline was also incredibly important to the overall storyline because it was about how Pontius Pilate made some horrible decisions, and put to death an innocent man, and has to live with that guilt for the rest of his life and his death.
Forgiveness became the ultimate theme of the story.

[Caila · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really don’t know what to rate or say about this book. We picked it for our mini book club/buddy read and I never would’ve thought I’d read this in my lifetime but alas.

There was a lot of historical and biblical context that I just don’t have so there was probably so much “syyyymbolism” and “meaaaaaaaning” that I just didn’t get. And that’s cool.

I think, at first, it was hard to get into with the style of writing and just wrapping my head around what the synopsis is versus what I was actually reading. That said, I also don’t think we ever got exactly what they promised??…

Anyways I think woland and his shenanigans were my favourite part of the whole book. Also major shout out to azazello (who I still absolutely believe looks like a chucky/hamburglar crossover) and Behemoth.

[Courtney Rada · Rating 5 out of 5]

Russian magical realism?! Say less. Woland and his retinue take on Moscow, reaping havoc which makes you question, is this the KGB or this hypnosis by an extra worldly figure?

Stalin = woland/satan in this novel, showing how Stalin was a weird dude punishing and rewarding in a somewhat chaotic and random manner. Pontius Pilates story line (written by the master) also highlights that leaders are somewhat random and less “rendes” than we think.

I love satans random interest in the master and margaritas romance, making margarita a witch so she can reunite with her lover. The psych ward theme with the master and Ivan was also very fun.

[Jamie Parsons · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really struggled with this. I don't know if it is a bad translation, or just wasn't for me. I found all the similar names confusing and the characters all seemed really thin. Lots of things happened, but I just didn't understand that point of what anyone was trying to achieve.

The language also annoyed me. It never used a simple word where a complex one could fit, and there were weird typos, corner consistently written as 'comer'.

[Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛

This is the kind of book I can already tell I’ll come back to every year.
The

This book is like one big wild ride filled with python-esque comedy moments, scenes of absolute chaos and heart breaking scenes.

My advice: read a little about Mikhail Bulgakov before starting, but go into the novel itself as blind as possible.

[Dakota Sarrazin · Rating 3 out of 5]

if you have issues with Russian names or odd names not the best book but it will get sort of better but differently is a good read

[Ioannis Georgoulis · Rating 4 out of 5]

nice and ponderous

Didn’t love it didn’t hate it. All in all glad I made it through alive. If you are patient try it out

[Stu Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

the ginsburg translation

[Sophia Skowronski · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bad translation but may re-read in a few years

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful novel, love jumping between time, definitely shows magical realism is not confined to South American writers.

[Matt Corley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply one the greatest books that I've ever read. I hardly know what else to say. I was fully engaged from the first paragraph to the last.
The 50th anniversary edition is the one to read since it is not only an updated translation, but it also offers comprehensive notes that provide critical overviews, historical context and clarifications, and enlivening insight into the Russian culture and politics of that era helping to bring to life many story fragments that would otherwise be overlooked or misunderstood.