Mikhail Bulgakov

No more Julio Cortázar, while I am reading his novel Rayuela, this month will be dedicated to Mikhail Bulgakov and his novel, "The Master and Margarita".

On the author himself, he was born in Kiev in 1891 into an educated family, his father was asisstant professor of theology. He died when Mikhail was still young. His mother, henceforth, took over his education. He studied medicine, became a physician, and afterwards opened a small practice before becoming a writer and playwright.

His budding writing career led him to Moscow in 1921. Unfortunately, after having witnessed the aftershocks of the Russian civil war, now a new "Soviet reality" was taking shape that was going to affect his writing career. Stalin came into power and a new truth was revealing itself in Moscow and consequently Russia. From here on out many of his plays would be banned fron stage, not fitting into the communist agenda, and he would also be denied the liberty of leaving the country. He died in March 1940, still editing "The Master and Margarita" and never having published the book.

I introduce the author first because I found, after having read the novel, that being aware of the context in which the book was written further inriched my understanding and interpretation of it.
The Russia of Bulgakov is clearly depicted in the novel as well as his own artistic frustrations at having many of his plays banned from stage. This Moscow is one where corruption, scarce housing and the persecution of church, clergy and faith abound. No one can be trusted, especially foreigners. Given all these nuances Bulgakov also laces his novel, divided in two parts, with another story. It is therefore two parts within two parts. Present day Moscow contrasted with Pontius Pilate's Judea "during the spring month of Nisan". Specifically, the accusation, condemnation and crucifiction of Jesus from the perspective of Pilate.

Having briefly introduced Mikhail Bulgakov and the Russia in which he lived and created his work, I will leave "The Master and Margarita" for next week.

  "Darkness descending from the Mediterranean Sea engulfed the city so hated by the procurator..."