In this episode of Read & Reflect: A Literary Podcast, we delve into Mikhail Bulgakov’s The Master and Margarita, a novel brimming with satire, mysticism, and defiant artistic vision. Set against the backdrop of Stalin’s oppressive Soviet Union, this masterpiece weaves together three interlocking narratives: the devilish escapades of Woland and his retinue in Moscow, the tragic love story of the Master and Margarita, and the haunting retelling of Pontius Pilate’s trial of Yeshua.

We’ll explore how Bulgakov’s surreal and darkly comedic portrayal of Soviet life critiques censorship, cowardice, and corruption while celebrating the resilience of art and the power of imagination. We’ll also break down the novel’s key themes—the struggle between good and evil, the tension between faith and doubt, and the enduring quest for freedom.

Join us as we unravel the magic, mayhem, and meaning behind The Master and Margarita—a novel that proves, time and time again, that "manuscripts don’t burn."

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