The Master and Margarita - [short] Book Review
Reading Russian Literature can be very intimidating to some but if not, it is intimidating for me to pick up. The only Russian novel I have read is Tolstoy’s War and Peace at the age of 17 and I finished it in a month’s time, but I am still not quite acquainted with a lot of Russian books. Bulgakov’s novel was a recommendation from a friend, and seeing so many readers around the world enjoy it, I decided to see it for myself. I have never been more stunned and captivated by a book before.
Bulgakov’s The Master and Margarita is a tale that would leave anyone so fascinated by the satire, the bizarre dark magic and the absurdity it consists of. I delayed in reading the book due to my hesitation and the book’s intimidation, but once I began reading the novel, naturally it welcomed me on the first page. Bulgakov’s writing is so engaging, with the words flowing clearly and the scenes carrying both humor and tension, that the book became one of my favorites. A complete page-turner, which will leave anyone impressed by its immersive writing and interesting story plot.
The story is certainly a dark one, involving “satanic fantasy” and dreadful militia. In the beginning, I found the story quite frightening with the predetermined yet inevitable death of Berlioz or the initial appearance of Behemoth, the tom-cat. However, steadily recognizing the tone of the book, everything appeared absurd and comical. The writers of MASSOLIT, known for their creative imagination, shunning the questionable events brought to them and finding it hard to believe, are the ones rejecting creativity is quite ironic.
Bulgakov’s book is about determination and hesitation. Determination is shown by Margarita to her Master with her love and support, whereas hesitation is displayed by the Master towards his work. However, towards the end both of them make a commitment, with the Master concluding his book and Margarita devoting herself to him. And with Bulgakov’s own determination, he completed this novel, proving that after all “manuscripts don’t burn”.
