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A Dead Man's Memoir (A Theatrical Novel)

By Mikhail Bulgakov
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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
A Dead Man's Memoir (A Theatrical Novel) by Mikhail Bulgakov is a semi-autobiographical narrative that delves into the life of an aspiring playwright in Moscow navigating the tumultuous world of theatre. The protagonist grapples with bureaucratic obstacles, eccentric directors, and the harsh realities of artistic pursuit. Through a blend of wit and satire, Bulgakov explores themes of creativity, ambition, and the complex relationship between art and authority.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you appreciate a satirical take on the life of a playwright entangled in the whims of art and bureaucratic absurdity. It offers a humorous and reflective dive into the challenges of artistic creation amidst social and political turmoil, wrapped in Bulgakov's characteristic wit.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

This is Bulgakov's semi-autobiographical story of a writer who fails to sell his novel and fails to commit suicide. When his play is taken up by the theatre, literary success beckons, but he has reckoned without the grotesquely inflated egos of the actors, directors and theatre managers.

A new translation of one of the most popular satires on the Russian Revolution and on Soviet society - first time in Penguin Classics

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

A new translation of one of the most popular satires on the Russian Revolution and on Soviet society - first time in Penguin Classics.

This is Bulgakov's semi-autobiographical story of a writer who fails to sell his novel and fails to commit suicide. When his play is taken up by the theatre, literary success beckons, but he has reckoned without the grotesquely inflated egos of the actors, directors and theatre managers.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

A Dead Man's Memoir (A Theatrical Novel) by Mikhail Bulgakov is praised for its gentle tone contrasted with a fierce underlying substance. It is often regarded as an early example of magical realism, contributing significantly to the genre.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780140455144

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 04 October 2007

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin Classics

Contributors:

  • Edited by Andrew Bromfield
  • Introduction by Keith Gessen

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 12.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 196.0mm

Weight: 159g

Pages: 208

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About the Author

Mikhail Afanasievich Bulgakov was born in 1891 in Kiev, today the capital of Ukraine. His father was a professor at the Theological Academy. After finishing high school, Bulgakov entered the Medical School of Kiev University, graduating in 1916. In 1913 he married Tatyana Lappa, who moved with him after graduation to provincial villages, where he practiced medicine. He wrote about his experiences as a doctor in his early works Notes on Cuffs and Notes of a Young Country Doctor. Andrew Bromfield is a regular translator from the Russian, and has translated works by Boris Akunin, Vladimir Voinovich and Irina Denezhkina, as well as titles by Victor Pelevin. Keith Gessen is a contributing editor at New York magazine. He is also co-editor of n+1, a new journal of literature and politics.

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