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Summary
The Devil comes to Moscow; but he isn't all bad. Pontius Pilate sentences a charismatic leader to his death, but yearns for redemption; and a writer tries to destroy his greatest tale, but discovers that manuscripts don't burn. Multi-layered and entrancing, blending sharp satire with glorious fantasy, The Master and Margarita is ceaselessly inventive and profoundly moving. In its imaginative freedom and raising of eternal human concerns, it is one of the world's great novels.
The Master and Margarita is an amazing book written by the incredibly talented Russian writer, Bulgakov, and it was published after his death. The audiobook version, narrated by Julian Rhind-Tutt, is absolutely outstanding. Rhind-Tutt's performance is exceptional as he skillfully brings all the characters to life, especially the hilariously mischievous Korovyev and Behemoth. His pacing and dynamics throughout the narration are superb.
This book takes you on a mind-bending journey into a fantastical version of Russia, where the Devil (who represents Stalin) isn't entirely evil and Pontius Pilate isn't completely a traitor. The story is infused with feminine energy, which adds depth to the satirical and absurd plot. Margarita, who loves her writer, navigates the Devil's ball to reunite with him while showing mercy to a cursed woman along the way. Despite displeasing the Devil, Margarita's strong and clever nature strangely compels him to go along with her wishes. Ultimately, her love and devotion solve many problems for herself and others. This novel is not only vibrant, imaginative, and thoroughly enjoyable but also offers a wry critique of officially atheist Russia during Stalin's totalitarian regime.
I have to say, this book is a real gem and had me laughing out loud unexpectedly. I've always admired Russian writers like Tolstoy and Dostoyevsky, and Bulgakov is right up there with them. I genuinely loved this book and wholeheartedly recommend it!
This book is a wild ride, with a narrative that jumps around and blurs the lines between reality and fantasy. It takes aim at Communism and atheism, specifically targeting Stalinism and the decline of culture in the USSR.
The story toggles between modern-day Russia and ancient Judea during the time of Jesus. It can be seen as a deep dive into Pontius Pilate's conscience, an exploration of the hardships faced by writers and poets under Stalin, a surreal depiction of life under Communism, an examination of the seductive power of Satan, a celebration of true love's redemptive nature, or an exploration of the compromises we all make to balance our desires with our moral compass.
Rather than spoiling the plot or dissecting the disjointed aspects of the story, I simply encourage readers and listeners to stick with it even when it feels like it's meandering without direction. Everything will come together in a profound and meaningful way.
Listening to this book was an absolute delight. There wasn't a single boring moment, and I enjoyed the performance so much that I intend to listen to all the books recorded by this talented individual.
It's not often that I abandon a book, but 'The Master and Margarita' is definitely an exception. After reaching the halfway point, I realized that my mind was wandering and I had zero motivation to go back and regain lost ground. The overall experience just felt completely nonsensical. Is it possible to get a refund for this audiobook?
The Master and Margarita is a captivating novel that weaves together two distinct storylines. One follows Satan and his companions as they arrive in 1930's Moscow, while the other provides a unique perspective on the crucifixion from Pontius Pilate's point of view. These two narratives are skillfully intertwined throughout the book.
The absurd adventures of the Devil and his entourage in Moscow are truly entertaining. Their time in the city challenges the corrupt bureaucracy of the Stalinist regime, with memorable scenes like a massive black cat attacking the NKVD with a machine gun. It's incredible to think that Bulgakov was able to write and publish such a work during a time when artistic expression was heavily censored. This novel only saw the light of day long after both the author and Stalin had passed away.
The passages centered around Pilate are beautifully written. They evoke a sense of sympathy for the Procurator, caught between his duty to uphold Roman justice and the need to appease the local population. The depiction of Christ's initial trial is particularly compelling.
Despite being hailed as one of the greatest novels of the twentieth century by many intellectuals, The Master and Margarita is an enjoyable read that doesn't feel like "high culture." It's disheartening to think of the potential masterpieces that could have emerged from Russia if the Soviets hadn't suppressed any art that didn't align with their concept of Socialist Realism.
The narration in this audiobook is flawless. The author's ability to switch tones between the two storylines and create distinct voices for the characters, especially the devil's companions, is truly exceptional.
I was intrigued by this book because it promised a mix of controversial and hilarious religious satire, set in 1930s Moscow. However, I feel like I would have enjoyed it more if I had lived in that time period and if I were more religious. Unfortunately, as someone living in 2015 America, I found the book to be quite boring. I really tried my best to like it, but unfortunately, it just didn't grab my attention. On the bright side, I must say that the audiobook narration by Julian Rhind-Tutt was absolutely amazing. His delivery, tone, different character voices, and overall talent were commendable. Kudos to him for his excellent performance.
This audiobook truly showcases the brilliance of "The Master and Margarita," a 20th-century gem adored by many. However, I must emphasize the exceptional narrator who elevates the spoken word into an art form. With over a hundred characters to portray, the narrator flawlessly captures their unique voices, bringing the multi-layered story to life. My personal favorite is the sophisticated and mocking Professor Wolland, who is actually the Devil in disguise. Additionally, the Devil's entourage, including Azezello, Behemoth (the giant cat), and Koroviev, the former choir director standing at a towering seven feet, are portrayed with such depth. Julian Rhind-Tutt, a talented British character actor, provides undeniable evidence that true performance can be achieved through audio narration. It's absolutely brilliant! This audiobook is one of the many reasons why I am grateful for the existence of this service.
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