The Master and Margarita, by Mikhail Bulgakov

Loved, loved, loved this book! I don't feel like any review of mine can properly do it justice (though there are quite a few of other reviewers who have done an excellent job). However, I'll do my best.

The important thing to keep in mind while reading Master is that it was written in Stalinist Russia during the height of censorship and theological repression. A lot of the book will only make sense if the reader comes to it understanding the popular point of view in Russia at the time.

Having said that, anyone can still enjoy Master. The themes of political repression, the satirization of certain characters, the exploration of the themes of what exactly evil is and what it's purpose is in the grand scheme of things- these things are things any reader can pick up on and enjoy.

One of things I least expected in this book was its sense of tongue-in-cheek humor. The characters- especially the Satanic trio of Azazello, Behemoth, and Korovyev- had me cracking up at every turn. The burning of the restaurant, Behemoth's shoot out with the police, the black magic show- these all made the book a delicious romp. I found myself laughing out loud several times (much to the consternation of those nearby me).

The little tricks and nods to his (Bulgakov's) sources kept catching me by surprise. Bulgakov was a huge fan of the opera, which made itself immediately apparent from the very start, when the editor Berlioz is introduced. He even goes on later in the book to have Ivan, another main character, insist on separating Berlioz the composer from Berlioz the editor. The little hints at Goethe's Faust also entertained me. The poodle-headed walking stick for example, or Woland's limp from an encounter with a feisty witch on Walpurgisnacht.

The story within a story was intriguing as well. The story of Pilate, who was a surprisingly easy character to sympathize with, was entertaining, especially with its inclusion of all the political machinations in Jerusalem at the time. The portrayal of Ha-Notsri was very... unexpected and unexpectedly pleasant, too.

I would give this novel six stars if I could, but instead must content myself with five. Pick it up, go ahead- you won't be disappointed.