Mikhail Bulgakov (1891-1940) was a novelist and playwright who spent his short life trapped in the Soviet regime he despised. On numerous occasions he requested permission to leave the USSR and finally he received a personal phone call from Stalin telling him that he would never be allowed to leave. He spent the rest of his unhappy life trying to achieve success in various Moscow theatres.
His greatest work was 'The Master and Margarita'. This book was never published in his life time but was widely read 'underground'. The novel is a satire and an all-embracing indictment of the corruption, greed, narrow-mindedness, and widespread paranoia of Soviet Russia. It is also a wonderfully entertaining read, full of fantastic figures and weird adventures.
Yesterday Olga and I went on a little Bulgakov tour of the city. My son Stephen is a fan of the book and this is for him!
The book opens at a place called Patriarch's Ponds, a familiar landmark to Muscovites.
Near by is the building in which Bulgakov had an apartment and in which he places much of the early action. It is now a museum. The Cyrillic words above the passage say 'Bulgakov House'.
The passageway into the house is filled with illustrations from the book which demonstrate something of the mystical and anarchic nature of the book.
It is a classic and a work of genius. It has most meaning for those who suffered Stalinist oppression but there are layers of meaning within the story. Most importantly it can be enjoyed by anyone at the level of a fantasy novel.
Another recommended book of his, with more obvious satirical references, is 'Heart of the Dog'.
Website - www.masterandmargarita.eu
