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.
Download and start listening now!
"I hate Bulgakov. He wrote the book I wanted to write. It is faultless. the Devil lands in Stalinist Russia, where, if there is no god, there is no devil. In a 3 day parody of Easter, our antihero is taken through a great adventure. And there is a book within the book, and it ends twice. I hate Bulgakov." — Howard (5 out of 5 stars)
"I hate Bulgakov. He wrote the book I wanted to write. It is faultless. the Devil lands in Stalinist Russia, where, if there is no god, there is no devil. In a 3 day parody of Easter, our antihero is taken through a great adventure. And there is a book within the book, and it ends twice. I hate Bulgakov."
" Its a mystery to me why I like it. My mind keeps returning to scenes from the book. I'm not so much trying to figure it out, but relive it, dwell in the indirectness, the left turnness of it. "
" Childhood/early teens favourite that was re-read later in life, a truly marvellous book. "
" Especially loved the parts about Pilate and the crazy midnight ball. "
" Russia's very own brand of magic realism. There is a talking cat. "
" I read the Mirra Ginsburg translation, but this book was one of the most engrossing and funny and interesting books I have ever read. "
" As Book Club selections go, this one was pretty good. I enjoyed it much more than I thought I would. And it was a much faster read then I thought it would be. Sometimes it was difficult for me to keep up with all the characters and their names, but overall I enjoyed it. I never would have selected it on my own. "
" Brilliant. This book deserves a 6-star rating. I loved this translation and plan to follow up with the edition translated by Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky. "
" Loved it ten years ago. Love it now. Will love it ten years hence. "
" Funny, dark, and satirical. Great. "
" Interesting, strange, and enticing. Quite different from what I was expecting, but I cannot say I am disappointed. It certainly gave me a lot to think about. A great criticism of society, sublty exposing the fear and oppression of Stalinist times. "
" It was a baffling book, with allusions and situations that often went over my head. Someday when I have some free time I'll have to read it again with a guide. "
" "Manuscripts don't burn" "
" outstanding Russian novel "
" This was recommended to me by a Russian Professor of Histology, he said "Dostoevsky, Zamyatin, no, it seems to me you should read some good Russian literature, read The Master & Margarita". So I did and it's fab. "
" Before I started reading this I was a bit apprehensive. There are some things that were over my head but I still really enjoyed this! This is a book that I'll be able to read again and again and each time find something new! "
" The insanity that occurs with the commitment to a totalizing ideology invites Satan to conjure Hell and drive people insane. And it is funny too. "
" Holy Murakami Catman! Bulgakov began writing this amazing tale (tail as in forked?) in 1928, the devil only knows... "
" An absolutely awesome example of fantastic realism. Reinvents the traditions of the Russian novel in an unique way. IMHO, this book could be called the Russian Faust. "
" I will get around to writing a proper review for this delightful book. But for now, let it just be known that I adored this in every way it is appropriate to adore a book. "
" By far my favorite book, i had to read it 5 times before i could wrap my head around the whole plot, it was quite a nice twist the way bulgakov paint the devil. i can't say much more without giving to much away, but just everthing, i love this book! "
" I could die tomorrow and I would die in peace as I have read the best book in history of mankind. I will always remember it while I exist, and will read it again and again through the years. "
" I fell over reading this. What a piece of satire! "
" the best book i've ever read. "
" Very fun read. The transition from chapter 1 to 2 is innovative and greatly compelling (will stick with me I think). Can tell he is foundational to some Ukrainian writers today. "
" I tried, I really did, but this was just too weird for me. There were a few parts that were interesting, but the supernatural stuff was just too much for me. "
" the translation i read was different to this edition. but nevertheless and all things considered this still must be one of the best books ever written. "
" Read in origina Russian, my all time favorite book. A masterpiece, literary perfection unlike any other. "
" One of the funniest books I have read. It is a shame this author was unknown in his lifetime. "
" Indescriptible et unique ce livre est un des meilleurs que j'ai pu lire. "
" When we finally get a cat it HAS to be black. :) "
" One of my all time favourites. "
" This book was doing too much. "
" My favourite book of all times!!! "
" Another absolutely perfect novel. Another absolute must read. "
" This book is an amazing magically real psychological phantasmagoria of a narrative. Bulgakov has my vote for the best retelling of any biblical story since Nikos Kazanzakis or Dostoyevski in The Grand Inquisitor Chapter. Just a splendid novel, and it was suppressed for many years. "
Mikhail Bulgakov (1891–1940) was born in Kiev. Schooled as a doctor, he gave up the practice of medicine in 1920 to devote himself to writing. He went on to write some of the greatest novels in twentieth-century Russian literature, including White Guard and Black Snow. Though Bulgakov’s work was often censored, Stalin showed his personal favor by protecting him from imprisonment and finding a job for him at the Moscow Art Theatre, where the writer would work as a director and playwright for many years. He died at the age of forty-nine from a kidney disorder. His masterpiece, The Master and Margarita, would not be published until twenty-six years after his death.
Julian Rhind-Tutt is an actor and voice artist. His audiobook narrations have earned five AudioFile Earphones Awards, and he has been a finalist for the prestigious Audie Award. His film appearances include roles in The Madness of King George, The Saint, Les Misérables, Notting Hill, and Tomorrow Never Dies, while his television credits include Reckless, Dangerfield, and Richard II. His stage work includes Editing Process, The Way of the World, Catherine Howard, and as the Duke of York in The Madness of George III. He is also the recipient of the Carlton Hobbs Award from BBC Radio.
Audiobooks Were Restored to Your Cart
[ShoppingCartItemsAddedOnMerge] audiobook(s) were left in your cart from a previous visit, and saved to your account for your convenience. You may view or remove these audiobooks on the shopping cart page.