About the Book A soaring, dazzling novel ( The New York Times ), here is Mirra Ginsburgs critically-acclaimed translation one of the most important and best-loved modern classics of world literature. Book Synopsis A soaring, dazzling novel ( The New York Times ), Mirra Ginsburgs critically-acclaimed translation of one of the most important and best-loved modern classics in world literature The Master and Margarita has been captivating readers around the world ever since its first publication in 1967. Written during Stalins time in power but suppressed in the Soviet Union for decades, Bulgakovs masterpiece is an ironic parable on power and its corruption, on good and evil, and on human frailty and the strength of love. In The Master and Margarita , the Devil himself pays a visit to Soviet Moscow. Accompanied by a retinue that includes the fast-talking, vodka-drinking, giant tomcat Behemoth, he sets about creating a whirlwind of chaos that soon involves the beautiful Margarita and her beloved, a distraught writer known only as the Master, and even Jesus Christ and Pontius Pilate. The Master and Margarita combines fable, fantasy, political satire, and slapstick comedy to create a wildly entertaining and unforgettable tale that is commonly considered the greatest novel to come out of the Soviet Union. It appears in this edition in a translation by Mirra Ginsburg that was judged brilliant by Publishers Weekly . Review Quotes Praise for The Master and Margarita : Its now my favorite novel. Its just the greatest explosion of imagination, craziness, satire, humor, and heart.-- Daniel Radcliffe I fell in love with it . . . I reread it often . . . For me its one of those magical books that hits you with something new every time.-- Ta Obreht, author of The Tigers Wife A wild surrealistic romp. . . . Brilliantly flamboyant and outrageous. -- Joyce Carol Oates, The Detroit News Fine, funny, imaginative . . . . The Master and Margarita stands squarely in the great Gogolesque tradition of satiric narrative. -- Saul Maloff, Newsweek The book is by turns hilarious, mysterious, contemplative and poignant. . . . A great work. -- Chicago Tribune Magnificent . . . a gloriously ironic gothic masterpiece . . . had me rapt with bliss. -- Patrick McGrath, Guardian (UK) Funny, devilish, brilliant satire . . . Its literature of the highest order and . . . it will deliver a full measure of enjoyment and enlightenment. -- Publishers Weekly A rich, funny, moving and bitter novel . . . . Vast and boisterous entertainment. -- The New York Times A classic of twentieth-century fiction. -- The New York Times Book Review About the Author Mikhail Bulgakov (1891-1940) was one of postrevolutionary Russias foremost authors. In the 1920s his work was suppressed by the Stalinist authorities; only with his rehabilitation, beginning in 1962, was much of it published. His other works include Heart of a Dog , The Fatal Eggs , and The White Guard . Mirra Ginsburg (1909-2000) was born in Russia. In addition to The Master and Margarita , she translated other works by Bulgakov, as well as works by Zamyatin, Dostoyevsky, Babel, Zoshchenko, Platonov, and others. She edited many books, including The Fatal Eggs and Other Soviet Satire , and wrote more than twenty books for children.