Mikhail Bulgakov "The Master and Margarita"

Master and Margarita (Wordsworth Classics)

"She was carrying repulsive, alarming yellow flowers." In this unexpected way begins the acquaintance with Margarita, the key character of this novel. These spring flowers represented ugliness contrasting with her beauty to the Master.

I am not a Bulgakovphile and so much has been said about the book, that all I can do is to present a summary of events and opinions. I can also add my little voice to the one of The London Times, who called “The Master and Margarita” one of the most brilliant works of the 20th century. It is difficult to determine what the genre of the novel is. It is a satire, mystery, romance and philosophical parable.

This is the story of how the devil appeared in the post-revolutionary Moscow. The devil introduces himself to people as Professor Woland and he is accompanied by his charming retinue (whatever comes from the devil must be charming). All people who got in contact with Woland and his companions receive punishment for their big and little sins.

The Soviet government does an excellent job for the devil - Moscow of thirties is a place where people do not believe neither in Devil nor in God. In Moscow, however, lives a man, the Master, who wrote a book about the last days of Yeshua (the prototype of which is Jesus Christ) and a Roman procurator, Pontius Pilate, the one who sent Joshua to the execution. The Master burned the novel about Joshua and Pontius Pilate and now resides in a psychiatric clinic.

Margarita, wife of a “known” engineer, Master's mistress, who lost track of him after he got into a mad house, wants only one thing, which is to find and return the Master. Azazello (retinue of Woland) gives hopes to Margarita but for that she must fulfill a service to Woland. Margarita agrees, not immediately though, and becomes acquainted with Woland and his entire entourage. Woland asks her to become a queen of the ball, which he gives in the night from Friday to Saturday (Good Friday). The guests at the ball are not just sinners; they are only true, ideological villains.

Another storyline of the novel, which develops in parallel, is the novel about Pontius Pilate, the one that was written by the Master. It tells the story of Pontius Pilate, who did not dare to speak out against the Sanhedrim (Council) and was not able to save Yeshua.

Mikhail Bulgakov "The Master and Margarita"

Master and Margarita (Wordsworth Classics)

"She was carrying repulsive, alarming yellow flowers." In this unexpected way begins the acquaintance with Margarita, the key character of this novel. These spring flowers represented ugliness contrasting with her beauty to the Master.

I am not a Bulgakovphile and so much has been said about the book, that all I can do is to present a summary of events and opinions. I can also add my little voice to the one of The London Times, who called “The Master and Margarita” one of the most brilliant works of the 20th century. It is difficult to determine what the genre of the novel is. It is a satire, mystery, romance and philosophical parable.

This is the story of how the devil appeared in the post-revolutionary Moscow. The devil introduces himself to people as Professor Woland and he is accompanied by his charming retinue (whatever comes from the devil must be charming). All people who got in contact with Woland and his companions receive punishment for their big and little sins.

The Soviet government does an excellent job for the devil - Moscow of thirties is a place where people do not believe neither in Devil nor in God. In Moscow, however, lives a man, the Master, who wrote a book about the last days of Yeshua (the prototype of which is Jesus Christ) and a Roman procurator, Pontius Pilate, the one who sent Joshua to the execution. The Master burned the novel about Joshua and Pontius Pilate and now resides in a psychiatric clinic.

Margarita, wife of a “known” engineer, Master's mistress, who lost track of him after he got into a mad house, wants only one thing, which is to find and return the Master. Azazello (retinue of Woland) gives hopes to Margarita but for that she must fulfill a service to Woland. Margarita agrees, not immediately though, and becomes acquainted with Woland and his entire entourage. Woland asks her to become a queen of the ball, which he gives in the night from Friday to Saturday (Good Friday). The guests at the ball are not just sinners; they are only true, ideological villains.

Another storyline of the novel, which develops in parallel, is the novel about Pontius Pilate, the one that was written by the Master. It tells the story of Pontius Pilate, who did not dare to speak out against the Sanhedrim (Council) and was not able to save Yeshua.

Astrid Lingren "Seacrow Island"

Buy Seacrow Island

Good books for girls age 7-14.


This is a beautiful book. This is Lingren and that expresses all…

”Seacrow Island” written by Astrid Lindgren first as TV series and later on issued as a novel is one of the most famous of her books.

It is a story of how one Swedish family spends its summer holidays on the Seacrow Island. The family consists of the dad, Melker Melkersson, his eldest daughter, Malin, and three sons: Johan, Niklas and Pelle. Melkerssons got acquainted with many people in the island and most of which eventually become their good friends.

"Seacrow Island” is so full of very well described heroes and characters that you begin to think they exist in reality.

As for the female characters in the book, they are so bright that it is not possible to stay silent. You should start, of course with Tjorven since she is one of the main personages. Tjorven is like a fairy of the Seacrow island, she meets and sees off the ferry with the passengers in all weather conditions, and a huge dog Boatswain makes her image even slightly mystical. Tjorven is the favorite of the whole island, she is welcomed by everyone and she comes and goes whenever he wants. Without Tjorven the Seacrow island would not have been the place that everyone loves. A girl is, in a sense, a symbol of the island.

Jean Little "From Anna"

Buy the book "From Anna"

 Good books for girls age 10-15.

«From Anna» is a story of Jean Little, Canadian author, about the life of a German family on the eve of the World War II.

The book is partly autobiographical, Jean Little, as well as her little heroine, had bad eyesight, studying, at the same time, in a regular school. Autobiographical touch is felt everywhere: in the manner of narration, in the author's apparent sympathy for Anna, in profound and masterfully described Anna’s inner world.

The book is built on a simple, well known and the win-win principle: sad beginning and happy ending on Christmas night. The action takes place in Germany during the Great Depression, in an atmosphere of general insecurity and fear for the future, which automatically makes the story very realistic. Subsequent emigration to Canada also looks very authentic, despite the fact that the process of moving to Canada is covered without much detail.

Reading about the relationships of Anna with her father gives you the most positive emotions. Her farther is perhaps the only one who sees the true nature of the girl. He is, without any doubt, right when calling her "special", because the child differs really from other children, not only by impaired vision. Anna is a very intelligent child with a rich imagination and capacity for empathy. However, all this can manifest only in appropriate circumstances, which are gradually created when, finally, it becomes clear that Anna has a very poor vision.

The child starts to see the world through the glasses prescribed for her and over time understands better both the world and her own personality. By the end of the book Anna transforms from an intimidated by everyone, shy and awkward child into a gentle girl with the ability to bestow love and tenderness on her nearest and dearest. Her family notices the changes and discovers the new Anna.

The book "From Anna" in the literal sense offers the side of the never experienced world. A good warm feeling remains long in your soul after reading this good book. Buy the book "From Anna"