★★★★★ 5
If you read rarely, or all the time, don't miss this! (It's easy to do)
This is simply one of the best works of literature, allegory, and even poetry, ever put together. It took decades for Mikhail Bulgakov to write this actually, and over the past century, his Faustian flavored tale about the nature of people and the power religion vs. the state vs. the devil knows.... has become a cult classic in Russia. Note that this is pure Bulgakov (as author) and this listing names one of the 2 wonderful translators who collaborated on getting the flavor of the language just right. They make it clear that this was a total collaboration of expert translators. At the end they offer additional notes about some of the details and finer points of history or the Russian language. There are also some additional passages included for the first time, which the earlier translation omitted.
I read this when it was first translated (80s?) and a college friend who had escaped from Communism insisted I read this. It was great then, as literature, human drama, and superb writing. Bulgakov amassed a huge following once his work was actually published, after his death. Some of his work is only now being published and read. I recently found myself in front of Flat #50, near Patriarchs Ponds (Moscow), the setting where the first part of this addictive novel begins. Berlioz (in the guise of literary czar, not the famous composer) is arguing with a poet about the existence of G-d when interrupted by, who the devil knows, but soon it is clear that literary and bureaucratic Moscow have become friends to the devil. Mr. Woland and his interesting entourage are about to put on a show at the theater, promising to be magical.
Great book. Like other great Russian *stories*, this captures human nature, anguish, curiosity and the variations in the rules of right/wrong, possible/impossible. It's quite a ride through the supernatural as well as theological and even medical., If you immerse yourself in it, you'll see many foreshadows of Harry Potter magic. Serious must read, for the adventure, mystery, the Faustian morality play, which takes pokes at both religion and "civil" humankind. A#1 recommend - and it may help to understand Russian (and human) psychology, and how we use words to invent smoke, mirrors, and fables which mirror life and death and love.
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Reviewed in the United States on July 16, 2014
