Rollicking, Russian rabble-raising confusion

Bulgakov, Mikhail ~ The Master and Margarita

When I selected this book I thought
There’s a big soft spot in my heart for Russian literature but a little empty spot as I haven’t read any of Bulgakov’s works.

50-word description
In an attack on Stalinism that was banned for more than 30 years, the devil disguised as a foreigner comes to Moscow with his merry and sadistic band of followers and with them havoc and terror reign.

150-word review
I still can’t decide if the book was trying too hard to be clever or if I’m just not clever enough to understand the book.

I devoured and wanted to be dazzled by Bulgakov’s slyness and dramatic tale telling but I didn’t finish because the storylines crashed like dodgem cars driven by children under the influence of red cordial. I looked for greater understanding – and wanted to understand the book’s many layers and scathing attack on Communism – but I was trying to convince myself to enjoy the book out of obligation.

One day I’ll hunt down a different translation with an introduction and footnotes and I’ll be back. Until then, The Master and Margarita is being shoved back into a shoe drawer, which is the only available space I have now for new books.

Found in
Home library B

Read
Oct 09

Links
Book’s Wiki page
Frankston Library doesn’t have a copy, but you search the totally excellent Library Link Victoria catalogue link

Rating
I don’t know

This is book 28 of the project.