Modern fiction: The Master and Margarita

The original publication of the culmination of Bulgakov's life's work, in the journal Moskva in 1966/7, was a rare, fresh breeze of freedom blowing through Soviet spiritual and artistic values. The courage of its themes (Jesus Christ, Pontius Pilate, Satan and The Great Terror of the 1930s), and it's style (a combination of satire, clowning and intense honesty), combine in this devastating satire of Soviet life in general, and Soviet literary life in particular, to stun its readers.

The multi-layered plot pivots on a dialogue between the people's poet and critic on the best way to portray Christ as an exploiter of the proletariat. Interrupted by a stranger (Satan in the guise of Woland), they unknowingly allow him and his chaos-bringing retinue of vampires, witches and even a giant cat, into their world.

For the modern reader, even without the historical and political context that saw Bulgakov's work banned by Stalin, this is hugely enjoyable work of genius, terrifyingly brilliant, but at the same time darkly disturbing.