I just checked and you were absolutely right—it was up to chapter 5, not through chapter 5. Oops. I guess I just got carried away! Thanks for the heads-up. I'll put out a note. I guess it means fewer pages for the second week, so I'll have a bit more time for supplementary material!
I had no idea what this book was about, I have had a copy of it for many many years and for some reason I never just got rid of it! Having you go over it chapter by chapter helps soooo much, I don’t think I could keep going on with it without your direction!! So far so good!!!
Phenomenal breakdown of how Bulgakov weaponizes Pilate's headache as a physical manifestation of moral collapse. The oscillating pain tied to the swallow's presence is genius, literally embodying how fleeting courage dissolves under institutional fear. I've seen similiar patterns in Dostoevsky where physical ailments mirror psychological states, but Bulgakov makes the headach a third character almost, a witness to cowardice. That lex maiestatis parallel to Article 58 cuts deep because both systems dont just punish crime but preemptively criminalize dissent trough fear.
Yep, you’re getting it! I remember all too well Raskolnikov’s physical illness that manifested on the back of his deep malaise and fear-based psychosis in Crime and Punishment. It’s nice that you made that connection.
Really enjoying the story so far. I am having a hard time not rushing ahead but I am sticking to the slow measured pace to savor it. Thanks for the great breakdown of events thus far.
I am enjoying the Burgin and O’Connor translation. It flows so much more nicely than P&V. It’s funny that we have different interpretations of where to end our reading. I guess “translation” doesn’t just apply to foreign languages, lol. Cams, I think Bezdomny gets the idea to look for Woland at building number 13 because he remembered when Berlioz had asked Woland where he would be living, he answered, “In your apartment.” I have no idea however where he got the idea to search in the river or the other places.
My book finally arrived, so I am catching up! Thanks for reading your post aloud. It makes the whole thing feel more personal. I am loving how wacky and wild it is. I did have a question about the Karpelson Wordsworth Classics edition: there are superscript numbers that look like endnotes, but I can't figure out where the actual notes are.
I have the Karpelson translation only in audiobook and that doesn't have any footnotes as such. It does, however, include a PDF with biographical notes by Roy McMillan. I'd be happy to send that over if you don't have it in the Wordsworth edition. Just let me know!
Excellent write up. I am so enjoying this re read. Reading in the original. This is my favorite book of all time, probably and chapter 2 is like a star of the book. It’s pretty much the gist of all these philosophical principles. I used to know it by heart and will probably reread it a million times. I’m enjoying the slow format for re reading my classics - it is a totally different experience than flying through a book like this. Much of this is part of the Russian folklore as you may know - Berlioz (actually a composer name), Annushka spilling the oil, the cat Behemoth, Bezdomny and his candle - it’s really an epic many of us identify with our whole lives.
Thanks for the notes and resources Cams. They have opened up the book. It seems every detail, and name has some small significance and I am firing questions at Chat GPT constantly.
It took me three tries to get into this novel, but I'm sure glad I never gave up. I am also trying not to read ahead. In fact, I thought we were only supposed to read up to chapter 5 and not through chapter 5, but whatever. The thought that I cannot get out of my mind is that Pilate's severe migraine headaches are supposed to invoke Nietzsche, who famously suffered the same, and equally famously declared both that God was dead and that we will have to embrace the reality of the eternal return.
This book is crazy! I had more than one moment where I involuntarily gasped and dropped the book. I am loving it so far.
I have had to flip back to prior chapters several times to find something that didn’t register on the first read. In fact I might start this week rereading from the beginning, after reading this.
Rereading is a superpower. I’m actually reading each chapter three times: audibook, translation then original text. It’s really helping me to get the details.
As we're not far from the discussions of translations, have you ever listened to blood sweat and tears version of sympathy for the devil? I think I heard that before the stones version. I also believe that Keith Richards is rather well known for having an exhaustive literary taste with a huge personal library?
Hi James, thanks so much for your support! Congratulations on your milestone. Those days at a time do add up if we only let them. I made twenty years back in October.
I'm glad to hear you're enjoying the book and it's lovely to have you along for the ride.
I just checked and you were absolutely right—it was up to chapter 5, not through chapter 5. Oops. I guess I just got carried away! Thanks for the heads-up. I'll put out a note. I guess it means fewer pages for the second week, so I'll have a bit more time for supplementary material!
I had no idea what this book was about, I have had a copy of it for many many years and for some reason I never just got rid of it! Having you go over it chapter by chapter helps soooo much, I don’t think I could keep going on with it without your direction!! So far so good!!!
I’m glad the chapter analyses are helping. Just as well you kept your copy!
Phenomenal breakdown of how Bulgakov weaponizes Pilate's headache as a physical manifestation of moral collapse. The oscillating pain tied to the swallow's presence is genius, literally embodying how fleeting courage dissolves under institutional fear. I've seen similiar patterns in Dostoevsky where physical ailments mirror psychological states, but Bulgakov makes the headach a third character almost, a witness to cowardice. That lex maiestatis parallel to Article 58 cuts deep because both systems dont just punish crime but preemptively criminalize dissent trough fear.
Yep, you’re getting it! I remember all too well Raskolnikov’s physical illness that manifested on the back of his deep malaise and fear-based psychosis in Crime and Punishment. It’s nice that you made that connection.
Really enjoying the story so far. I am having a hard time not rushing ahead but I am sticking to the slow measured pace to savor it. Thanks for the great breakdown of events thus far.
I’m pleased you’re enjoying it, Matthew! I had a feeling you would!
Serendipitous find: The Procurator of Judea by Anatole France (short story)
https://fountainheadpress.com/expandingthearc/assets/franceprocurator.pdf
Enjoy!
I am enjoying the Burgin and O’Connor translation. It flows so much more nicely than P&V. It’s funny that we have different interpretations of where to end our reading. I guess “translation” doesn’t just apply to foreign languages, lol. Cams, I think Bezdomny gets the idea to look for Woland at building number 13 because he remembered when Berlioz had asked Woland where he would be living, he answered, “In your apartment.” I have no idea however where he got the idea to search in the river or the other places.
Excellent write-up by the way, Cams. 👏🏻
Thanks Donna!
I have been pulled into this novel since the first chapter.
Great post!
Excellent! I'm glad you're enjoying it!
My book finally arrived, so I am catching up! Thanks for reading your post aloud. It makes the whole thing feel more personal. I am loving how wacky and wild it is. I did have a question about the Karpelson Wordsworth Classics edition: there are superscript numbers that look like endnotes, but I can't figure out where the actual notes are.
I have the Karpelson translation only in audiobook and that doesn't have any footnotes as such. It does, however, include a PDF with biographical notes by Roy McMillan. I'd be happy to send that over if you don't have it in the Wordsworth edition. Just let me know!
Excellent write up. I am so enjoying this re read. Reading in the original. This is my favorite book of all time, probably and chapter 2 is like a star of the book. It’s pretty much the gist of all these philosophical principles. I used to know it by heart and will probably reread it a million times. I’m enjoying the slow format for re reading my classics - it is a totally different experience than flying through a book like this. Much of this is part of the Russian folklore as you may know - Berlioz (actually a composer name), Annushka spilling the oil, the cat Behemoth, Bezdomny and his candle - it’s really an epic many of us identify with our whole lives.
Thanks Vera. I love to hear how ingrained this novel is in the Russian culture. It might very well move up to my top spot during this read as well.
Thanks for the notes and resources Cams. They have opened up the book. It seems every detail, and name has some small significance and I am firing questions at Chat GPT constantly.
You're very welcome!
It took me three tries to get into this novel, but I'm sure glad I never gave up. I am also trying not to read ahead. In fact, I thought we were only supposed to read up to chapter 5 and not through chapter 5, but whatever. The thought that I cannot get out of my mind is that Pilate's severe migraine headaches are supposed to invoke Nietzsche, who famously suffered the same, and equally famously declared both that God was dead and that we will have to embrace the reality of the eternal return.
The idea was to read 50 pages a week, give or take. Sorry for the mix-up.
That's an astute observation on Nietzsche. I hadn't thought of that, but you're so right. Thanks for the pointer.
This book is crazy! I had more than one moment where I involuntarily gasped and dropped the book. I am loving it so far.
I have had to flip back to prior chapters several times to find something that didn’t register on the first read. In fact I might start this week rereading from the beginning, after reading this.
Rereading is a superpower. I’m actually reading each chapter three times: audibook, translation then original text. It’s really helping me to get the details.
And, I forgot to mention, Sympathy for the Devil is on repeat in my mind whenever I pick this up!
I’ve always loved that song, years before I ever read The Master and Margarita. Both classics!
As we're not far from the discussions of translations, have you ever listened to blood sweat and tears version of sympathy for the devil? I think I heard that before the stones version. I also believe that Keith Richards is rather well known for having an exhaustive literary taste with a huge personal library?
No! But it’s on Spotify, so now I have. Very unexpected. A little confusing. A good parallel to this novel so far. Thank you!
You are most welcome, Ann-marie!
Hi James, thanks so much for your support! Congratulations on your milestone. Those days at a time do add up if we only let them. I made twenty years back in October.
I'm glad to hear you're enjoying the book and it's lovely to have you along for the ride.