My friend, who teaches Russian literature for a living, says that The Master and Margarita is the best Russian novel ever written. High praise, indeed.
“But would you kindly ponder this question: What would your good do if evil didn’t exist, and what would the earth look like if all the shadows disappeared? After all, shadows are cast by things and people. Here is the shadow of my sword. But shadows also come from trees and living beings. Do you want to strip the earth of all trees and living things just because of your fantasy of enjoying naked light? You’re stupid.”
― Mikhail Bulgakov, The Master and Margarita
There is a website devoted to book, listing characters, themes, and interpretations, as well.
