Tag Archives: Death

The Master and the Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov (review by Agata S. ’15)

The Master and MargaritaThe Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Nothing extraordinary happens in 1930s Moscow until Satan, also known as Professor Woland, arrives with his eerie crew of followers. Soon enough, chaos engulfs the city; Russian citizens are captured by the Soviet police, get sent to the insane asylum, and run in the streets stark naked. Surprisingly, this is just the beginning of Bulgakov’s The Master and Margarita, and the masterpiece develops a story within a story that focuses on Pontius Pilate in ancient Jerusalem. Keeping readers glued to the novel’s pages, the genius author intertwines the two tales until they converge at the very end. In my opinion, The Master and Margarita is a must-read with an unparalleled plotline and characters that transform – even physically – in completely unpredictable ways. – Agata S. ‘15

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Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman (review by Andrew R. ’17)

Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, WitchGood Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch by Terry Pratchett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch features a book-dealing angel named Aziraphale; his danger-loving demon acquaintance Crowley; and the eleven-year-old Adam Young, a resident of the town of Lower Tadfield who already commands his own gang. None of the three is what they seem. Aziraphale, the supposed epitome of good, has spent so much time with the human race that he may not actually be perfect, while Crowley, a servant of Satan, has embarrassingly picked up some positive qualities. Meanwhile, Adam, due to a mix-up at his birth, is the Antichrist, fated to bring about the ultimate destruction of the world. While Good Omens does contain commentary on the nature of good and evil, it does not read like a story with a moral, as each page is filled with humor and action. Occasional digressions from the main plotline, which often follow the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse and a seventeenth-century witch, add a complex and thought-provoking element to the book. Any reader willing to tolerate some good-natured jokes concerning the Biblewill thoroughly enjoy this light novel with serious, philosophic themes. – Andrew R. ’17

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Proof of Heaven by Eben Alexander (review by Eddie S. ’17)

Proof of Heaven: A Neurosurgeon's Journey into the AfterlifeProof of Heaven: A Neurosurgeon’s Journey into the Afterlife by Eben Alexander
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Near-death experiences have been recounted for centuries. Eben Alexander, a neurosurgeon, describes his recent one in his bestseller, Proof of Heaven. Alexander is suddenly diagnosed with a disease called meningitis, and the chances of surviving appear slim. He fatefully slips into a coma, and his spirit mysteriously voyages to the unknown realms of the afterlife. After being comatose for an entire week he suddenly wakes up, defying all odds. Proof of Heaven is fascinating yet bizarre. Alexander does a sensational job expressing the divinity of the afterlife. From the start, he sets the tone with his childhood dream of flying and maintains the peacefulness throughout the book. Alexander provides substantial emotional depth. Nevertheless, his description of the adventure is disappointingly short, and various moments are incomprehensible and dull. I would definitely recommend this book to those willing to step outside their comfort zone and try a book completely new. Readers of all kinds will find Proof of Heaven outlandish and satisfying. – Eddie S. ‘17

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