The Bowie Book Club discussion

Please, mind the book part you are commenting on in order to avoid spoilers.

Ok, so I'll try to finish TMAM tonight...

I have been reading it very slowly because I have been trying to capture all the elements that might have turned it into one of Bowie's favorite books.

When I read In Cold Blood, I just couldn't create a connection between the book and Bowie, but with TMAM it is completely different. The way how Bulgakov tells the story, and the characters, they all exude a Bowie element to me. I can definitely see how Bowie would be inspired by it, especially by the trickster presence...

Whenever I read books, I like to choose a soundtrack to listen while I am reading (especially while commuting, music helps me block outside noises and focus on my reading). During my entire reading of TMAM, the two albums that have been used as my background music are Outside and Earthling...

I rewatched the video of Little Wonder and when I saw Bowie, I immediately thought of Woland. Am I pushing it too far?

Maybe a bit too far:) But I like the way you think.

I finally finished the book last night, and it was so great that finally it was as good as I remembered (or even better) after the first two books we read. I didn't get an immediate Bowie connection (apart from Pilate), but I thought it a little bit similar to the Harry Potter books in terms of its world-view, the flawless compatibility of the magical and non-magical world, the use of common myths and legends in a contemporary world. Of course The Master and Margarita isamied at adults, so it can be more daring and complex - which it is.

Also, it was a great communist novel in a way that it not only made the existing communism ridiculous by showing its true and corrupt nature - but by cleverly using the Devil's company to rebel against these values - thus making even the devil more acceptable then communism.

But the best part for me was Bulgakov's relentless hatred of his fellow critics and authors. It is just such an understandable feeling for a writer, but so few dare to make it a theme of their novel. He was a real free soul.

Thank you Peter for your review. You are absolutely spot on :-)

I love the Pilate parts and the whole idea of Satan creating a chaos in a seemingly perfect society.