Mickail Bulgákov (1891-1940) was a Russian writer of Ukrainian origin and a physician in the White army during the Russian Civil War.

Of all the books he wrote, the last and best known is: “The Master and Margarita”, which is also his most complex, dense and equally intelligent work, according to literary criticism.

This book takes place in two distinct moments in history: A devastated Moscow and a Jerusalem from other times. With this work, Mikhail Bulgakov brings us a set of unique characters in literature, such as the devil Woland and his diabolical entourage, the memorable cat Behemoth, and ironically enough, Pontius Pilate, who appear at different curious moments in the narrative. What do these three characters have in common? - Everyone decides to visit Moscow from the 1920s.

The dialogues between the devil and his entourage constitute some of the most hilarious and fantastic moments in the book. While showing the reader the daily life of Moscow, its political antics are a reflection of the climate of ideological tension experienced in Russia. Then there is also Margarita, a literary heroine, who submits to various sacrifices out of love.

This fun, satirical book, with a high social and political conscience, manages to show us different universes, with different characters and intersperse moments of pure entertainment with other deeper moments, which prompt readers to philosophical reflection. The eternal themes of good and evil, innocence and malice, love and hate are present in this book, thus bringing together all the ingredients to make it one of the most intelligent and insightful works in 20th century Russian literature.

This is a book that is easily returned to. With each return, the reader always discovers new colours and layers. In the end, the question that arises is: “Are there no evil men on earth”?

One of the most recent editions, in Portuguese, is by Editorial Presença, which you can find here.

Sónia Teixeira
Editorial Team