Master & Margarita Spoiler-Free

This is a general discussion thread for the group read of Master and Margarita. Spoiler Free Please. It will take place in January, however if it's a putzy book for you, don't feel rushed or obligated to finish. I am more than willing to give encouragement and continue the discussion past January, though I can't speak for everyone else.

Possible topics for this thread include, but are not limited to:
Your general reaction--like it, hate it, etc
Need encouragement to keep reading?
Bulgakov's writing style (or the translator's?)
Bulgakov's background
Russian history/language
--These are just to get ideas rolling

In addition to this thread, there will be 4 threads with spoilers. My copy is translated by Diana Burgin and Katherine Tiernan O'Connor. The novel section is 335 pages with 2 parts. So to get the section ends I just broke the 2 parts into approximate halves. I'm sorry if there are awkward breaks.

Spoiler Thread #1: Chapters 1-9

Spoiler Thread #2: Chapters 10-13 --which is actually 10-18. . .

Spoiler Thread #3: Chapters 14-25 --which is actually 18-25. . .

Spoiler Thread #4: Chapters 26-Epilogue

All made now, with silly filler as 1st post for now.

To help us out, avatiakh has shown us a companion website that looks very helpful with maps, background info, connections, etc.
Bulgakov's Master and Margarita

Thank you all for participating. I haven't done much group reading outside of class with chosen books. So I was very excited when so many people wanted to join in. All that's left now is "Have fun!" :D

Well, it's officially January. Happy New Year to all! I will be starting Master and Margarita once I finish my current read, expected in the next couple days. When do you plan on starting?

I'm starting it now - just finished and reviewed my first book for '11' and I am so excited to begin this book - have had it 'brewing' on my shelves for far too long.

Do we just post when we finish the chapters, or when we feel like it? I've never done this before - so that's exciting too!

I haven't either! Agreed on the exciting part. Post whenever you feel like it, whether that's chapter's end or not. Particularly if you have some observation, reaction, or question. Keep it general here, and for anything specific head over to that sections thread.

Thanks so much for organizing everything, katelisim! I have temporarily misplaced my book, but I know that I have it around here somewhere. I hope to start any day now!
--BJ

Oh no, BJ! Did your shelves eat it? That happens to me all the time. Search for a book for days to find it 2 rows back and under a stack. We look forward to the eventual finding and discussing ;P

Oh! And you're welcome, of course. *Must remember manners sooner

I just started this morning. I'm reading the translation by Mirra Ginsburg. Thanks for the site from avatiakh.

I tend to read for plot, so I am not as quick to notice or translate symbolism as I might be, but Bulgakov has a thing for eyes and glasses and mismatched pairs of either or both. I would be interested whether anyone else has noticed and has ideas about what he is doing with them. Thanks.

I just started today as well. Am only 3 chapters in. I can tell this will be a bit putzy for me. Tends to be the case with books that have a depth to them.

#8: There's only been one instance I've noticed so far. Now I'll definitely be paying attention for it :)

I am on chapter 4. I am enjoying it so far.
--BJ

>9 katelisim:
I am at chapter 5 and a bit overwhelmed by the hyperbole or metaphor or symbolism - in my ignorance. Though I can feel the venom towards the motherland's system...

Pardon my ignorance katelisim; what do you mean by putzy?

>8 NeverStopTrying: I have noticed those references too (not a lot) - perhaps meaning a 'blindness' or a sight ignored; or lack of vision???
Not writing any more here - will post in the 'chapters' thread in case of spoilers. :)

#11: Ah, sorry. I frequently make up my own words or use obscure ones or steal from other languages. I originally used kerputzy and then shortened it to putzy. I use it to mean slow and distracted (frequently also contains multi-tasking). Applied here as since the book has depth it will automatically take longer to read for me and with thinking books I tend to get distracted at chapter's end.

Once a word is in my lexicon I forget who does and doesn't know what it is. So if I do it again, please tell/ask me about it.

I ended up reading the book as an e-book as I saw on the site that was posted, my translation (Mirra Ginsburg) is not the uncensored version. Also, there weren't any notes.

Wow! That was quick! Did you like it?

I'm @ 80% complete. Should finish today but I'm loving it so far. Can't wait to see what happens at the end with the choices Margarita has made.

Wonderful! You may be one of the first to finish. Be sure to head over to the chapter threads to share your thoughts :)

>12 katelisim: Thank you. *chuckle*
I like it!

I'm up to Chapter 10 - may I add that up to this point, for me, it was somewhat putzy, but it is picking up now as it begins to shape. No one else has commented in the Chapters 1-9 thread and I am not sure what to write myself. :)

Thanks! :)

No worries on the other threads. I don't really expect them to pick up for another week or two. As I get there I'll post questions and what-not for everyone to consider/answer. Actually, I think I'll go post a question now. . .

Chapter Division Error
I'm a space cadet that can't read roman numerals while sleepy. The second thread is actually 10-18 and the third is 18-25. I have made note next to links in 1st post and will have notes in original posts of those threads.

Sorry for confusion -_-;

And thank you to BJ for pointing it out.

How is everyone doing? I am currently 14 chapters in. Hit a bit of a reading lull this week and decided video was a good choice over reading. Anyone else dropping off a bit? --I'm blaming exhaustion. The book has been great so far, my eyes just have been too heavy for words *le sigh

Just wanted to mention that I finished and thought it was a really terrific read!
--BJ

I just finished too - there is so much in this book!
I am not sure I fully understood it but I did try to review it. :)

I finished and am glad I read it as I found it interesting. I didn't feel any real enthusiasm however. Could be my frame of mind (work dramas) and not the book itself. The notes to my copy said that this book drew a lot from Gogol's Dead Souls, so now I am kind of interested in reading that to see if I can make the connections in reverse. Maybe try M & M again afterwards.

Hey everyone! Just checking in. I know a few of you have finished up and I'm happy to see some activity on the later threads (though I will not be opening them til I read it ;) But how is everyone else coming along? I'm at 19 chapters. School and life is getting in my way. Anyone else having that problem? I know some people were having trouble with the content, have you found something that's helped you that may help others?

Just checking in to see how this group read went. I had intended to read it as well, but did not receive my book in the mail until just yesterday! I will read it and reference the threads, despite it being over. O.o

Hi otterstamp! Overall, I feel it went pretty well. I know a few to several of us haven't actually finished yet. I plan to keep reading until I finish and keep posting my thoughts on the threads. I hope others keep going too. And I'm completely open to people joining in over the next however long. I love to chitter-chatter about books :)

I am still keeping up with the threads as well. It was a pretty interesting read.
--BJ