3 Review(s)

The Master And Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov weaves a tale of a devil who comes to Moscow in the guise of a Professor, portraying at the same time a distressing satire of the Soviet Union under the rule of Stalin. Summary Of The Book The intriguing book is divided into two parts, which are interwoven and interconnected. While the first part presents a picture of the present day at Moscow, the second part switch on to a completely different setting, the ancient Jerusalem. The book is inundated with scenes of destructions, death, darkness, fire, violent storms, attacks of vampires, supernatural world as well as scenes of love and sensuality. The story of The Master And Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov is set in Russia, back in the year 1930 when a devil in the guise of Professor Woland and four of his companions, visits Moscow during the Holy Week. They made use of black magic to dissuade those who crossed their paths. The book also features the story of Margarita and her devotional and sensuous love for her Master and how she uses black magic to bring back her lover when he disappears mysteriously. There is another storyline which pictures the crucifixion of Yeshua Ha-Notsri or Jesus Christ by Pontius Pilate. The Master and Margarita has a number of storylines which brings together history, religion and politics. The novel draws its inspiration from Goethe’s Faust and its underlying themes. The social-political satires are embedded in the book in an intricate manner in its storyline. The book brings to light the stark realism of Stalin’s Soviet Union, its greed, its corruption and the ever stifling life therein. Though, the book was written between the years 1928 to 1940, it was not until the year 1967 that it was published. The book is regarded as one of the true masterpieces of the 20th century. The Master And Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov has not only received its well deserved accolades from its readers but, over the years it has been adapted into a number of movies, TV series, musical opera, animated films, stage shows, and arts music and other performances. About Mikhail Bulgakov Mikhail Bulgakov is a highly acclaimed Soviet Russian writer and playwright. His books are mostly an exemplification of his life and was written during the time of his disgrace and illness. He wrote a number of novels and short stories apart from his masterpiece The Master and Margarita. Some of them include The White Guard, Black Snow: A Theatrical Novel, Heart of a Dog, A Country Doctor’s Notebook, Diaboliad and Other Stories, Great Soviet Short Stories and several others. His books are written in a realistic style. They are enriched with various themes which are intricately woven into the plot. Born on May 15, 1891 in Kiev, Bulgakov developed a love for the theatre from a young age. A doctor by profession, he gave up his practice as a surgeon to become a writer.