“The Master and Margarita” by Mikhail Bulgakov (Russia)

One of Nicola’s 100 best books for inspiration in the 21st century!

Review

Members of the Book Club were unanimous in their appreciation of this novel. They found it funny and philosophical. They loved the descriptions of the many incidents that happen and they liked the different characters, though most found confusing the way the author changes the naming of the characters, using sometimes their full name, sometimes just their first names, and sometimes their nicknames! They enjoyed the story within the story. Readers said the story felt at times like a dream with many things happening in it, at times like a play, and even like a Chagall painting! One member said it was the most interesting book he had read in a long time. The book averaged a 9 out of 10.

Synopsis

The devil comes to Moscow wearing a fancy suit. With his disorderly band of accomplices – including a demonic, gun-toting tomcat – he immediately begins to create havoc. Disappearances, destruction and death spread through the city like wildfire and Margarita discovers that her lover has vanished in the chaos… Read more

Nicola’s Book Club reading lists

Season 6 – “World Classics (the past is masculine)” (Sep 2007 – Jan 2008)

“A Confederacy of Dunces” by John Kennedy Toole (U.S.)
“Love in the Time of Cholera” by Gabriel Garcia Marquez (Colombia)
“The Woman in the Dunes” by Kobo Abe (Japan)
“Things Fall Apart” by Chinua Achebe (Nigeria)
“The Master and Margarita” by Mikhail Bulgakov (Russia) *

Season 7 – “Future World Classics (the future is feminine)” (Feb – Jun 2008)

“How Many Miles to Babylon?” by Jennifer Johnston (Ireland)
“Second-Class Citizen” by Buchi Emecheta (Nigeria)
“Eva Luna” by Isabel Allende (Chile)
“Clear Light of Day” by Anita Desai (India)
“The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood (Canada) *

* The book club favourite
In italics, Nicola’s Coup de Cœur

“A classic is a book that has never finished saying what it has to say.” – Italo Calvino

The past is masculine;
The future is feminine;
And the present is a
blending together of both.
– Nicola