Greetings dramacels and !bookworms 
As promised, today we are holding our first bookclub discussion thread. We’ll be discussing the first 7 chapters of “The Master and Margarita”, written by the late Russian author Mikhail Bulgakov, set in Stalinist Moscow 
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I hope you have enjoyed these first chapters, I certainly did. Based on the numbers of pages read from chapters 1-7, next week discussion will be about chapters 8-17.
I know it was supposed to be at noon E.T. However I’m posting a bit early because I’m off for a family lunch in half an hour, and I don’t want to longpost there.
Have fun with the discussion!
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This book almost reminds me of something that Douglas Adams would write. The tone is much more whimsical than I was expecting, although it does have its serious moments as well. The Pontius Pilate chapter was interesting, is there any historical basis for the changes he made? I found it interesting to be sure. Overall very much enjoying it so far.
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Little is known about Pilates beyond what is said in the Gospel. I don't think there's meant to be much of an historical basis there.. it seems mostly artistic if you ask me.
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It was the tax man and changes to Judas I was wondering about, should have thought more to know it was definitely all made up, lol.
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_the_Apostle was Matthew Levi, a former taxman, according to some sources, or maybe it was a different Matthew, but he's definitely mentioned in the Bible.
@neoconshill
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Darn, I need to read the gospels again. So I guess Pilate’s secretary is the devil, Yeshua calls everyone good people, even Ratkiller but he doesn’t say a word about the secretary who’s there.
Reading without knowing the plot is fun.
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Need to brush up on my gospels lol
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"he's always carrying around these notepads writing everything down, I told him to stop" lol
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btw this part gave me a distinct Unsong vibe.
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Yeah btw I just realized that the Matthew - Matvei (the original Greek name btw) connection was not as obvious to English speakers!
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There are mentions of Pilate made by Josephus and some jewish fellow from Alexandria, I can’t remember his name, who was a contemporary of him. Both describe him as an butthole and tyrant who hated jews. There’s also the Pilate 1st century inscription in stone on the ruins of Caesarea Maritima, near Tel Aviv.
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!chuds ONE OF US! ONE OF US!
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Yeah I was going to say Josephus documented Pilates life/rule. There's more than the gospel.
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He based it off the work of David Strauss and other german philsophers who attempted to piece together a real histroical account of the life of jesus
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I wasn’t expecting it to be a Dark Comedy either. Mick Jagger said “Sympathy for the Devil” was inspired by that book. As for the Pilate chapter is hard to say. Historical Jesus name was Yeshua, and he was probably an apocalyptic preacher who got into trouble in Jerusalem. His “trial” probably lasted a few minutes, real life Pilate probably asked him a few questions, he answered in a way Pilate didn’t like and got crucified, simple as that, crucifixion was a common punishment for slaves and provincial peasants like Jesus.
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I was more interested in the tax man that followed him, was wondering what that was about or if there was ever anything that alluded to that. Judas was changed as well, it was an interesting take. I didn't know that about Sympathy for the Devil, I love that song.
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Oh, I get it. Woland said he was in Jesus Trial incognito. I’m wondering if this “Matthew Levi” guy or this “Pilate’s secretary” fellow is actually the devil in disguise.
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He said he was there unseen so I dont think so, he said he was there for the conversation with the High Priest as well, when it was just him and Pilate
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It's pretty clearly the bird flying around, as all of the sentences mentioning it are so extraneous
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I think that the taxman being just a normal human fricking up the word of god fits better the theme of the novel. Future chapters may bring more info, but so far my impression is that the demon gang doesn't need to push things very far to create a lot of havoc.
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