The Master and Margarita

This is a really weird 4 stars to give. I couldn't tell you exactly what happened in this book, it mostly read like a chaotic fever dream from start to end, but it was not only readable but surprisingly engaging. Every chapter made me feel like, “Gosh, this is too chaotic, I'm going to skim.” but I generally end up pretty gripped by the action of what's going on.

I definitely feel like I'm missing a lot of historical context here as my knowledge of the USSR, its culture, and the political place it was at is rudimentary at best. Despite that, though, I could definitely see how this whole gimmick of having these fantastical and diabolical characters creating trouble all around Moscow and driving so many of its citizens actually insane, and then how the authorities/militia reacts to this, is quite an obvious commentary in itself.

Overall, a fever dream I'd recommend if you're in the right headspace for some bewildering chaos.