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Hero archetypes
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Synopsis
*The Master and Margarita* (Russian: Мастер и Маргарита) is a novel by Mikhail Bulgakov, written in the Soviet Union between 1928 and 1940. The story concerns a visit by the devil and his entourage to the officially atheist Soviet Union. The devil, manifested as one Professor Woland, challenges the Soviet citizens' beliefs towards religion and condemns their behavior throughout the book. *The Master and Margarita* combines supernatural elements with satirical dark comedy and Christian philosophy, defying categorization within a single genre. Many critics consider it to be one of the best novels of the 20th century, as well as the foremost of Soviet satires. A censored version, with several chapters cut by editors, was published posthumously in Moscow magazine in 1966–1967 by his widow Elena Bulgakova. The manuscript was not published as a book until 1967, in Paris. A samizdat version circulated that included parts cut out by official censors, and these were incorporated in a 1969 version published in Frankfurt. The novel has since been published in several languages and editions.
Is The Master and Margarita appropriate for my child?
Suitable for most readers 16 and up.
A complex satirical novel featuring the devil visiting Soviet Moscow with supernatural occurrences, dark humor, and philosophical commentary on faith and power. Contains some violence, disturbing scenes including mental institution sequences, and mature themes about persecution and suffering under Soviet rule.
What to know going in
This book has moderate violence, mild sexual content, and mild language. Content notes include suicide, death, and violence (see the full list above).
Who'll love this
A wildly imaginative story where the devil visits Moscow and exposes human hypocrisy with dark humor and magical chaos.