Chekhov's Mistress
Chekhov’s Mistress Recommends: The Master and Margarita
Sympathy for the Devil
No one seems to know what to make of this wildly audacious allegorical novel. Due to it’s sardonic picture of Soviet life, the Soviet government banned it from publication when it was written and it was not published until 25 years later, in 1966, and that version was censored. Once it was published, the book has remained very popular even though it is, as some say, “esoteric.” I also recommend the critical companion to the book, which is, fuel for thought, but provides no easy answers since none of the scholars seem to agree on what the book may mean.
Interestingly, I have heard that the Rolling Stones wrote a song in response to this book, “Sympathy for the Devil.”
A note on editions: The edition I recommend here is the Burgin/O’Connor translation based upon the complete text. The Ginsburg translation, which was my first reading, is based on the censored version of the original Russian text. The Oxford Guide to Literature in English Translation recommends the Glenny translation, but I’m not sure that edition is available in the U.S. It is however, based upon the unexpurgated text. Lastly, there is a Pevear, Volokhonsky translation, but I don’t have any direct knowledge of that one.
The Master & Margarita: A Critical Companion
Read widely, think well, and write often.
comments
A fabulous book and a great recommendation. Was just raving about it over dinner last night with friends, a definite top 5 for me. I’m not sure I agree with the idea that “no one seems to know what to make” of it, though. Check out this definitive M&M website for more:
http://cr.middlebury.edu/public/russian/Bulgakov/public_html/
– TEV (08/20 at 01:09 PM)
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About this Post
- Posted by: Bud Parr
- Date: August 20, 2004
- Filed Under:
Wise Men Fish Here: Literature
- Comments:1
- Links to this Post: Technorati
