I started reading "The Master and Margarita" this year after seeing this title pop up on HN so often. I could not finish it, I found it rather boring. I'm curious, am I the only one? What does everyone find so great about this book?

I read it earlier this year and also can't understand why it's so highly recommended. If I were living in the Soviet Union during the time it was written it would probably be the greatest book I had ever read, but as someone just looking for something to read nowadays, I mean, so, so many other better choices.

That is an incredibly limited view. How many amazing books written in "add country" during "add time" which are classics and amazing books. Sure, there is always an opportunity cost, but what does it have to do where you are living and the time it was written? Does it mean you can only read books written after the new millennia?

I also read it because it was mentioned on HN and I think it is boring too. Everything that is happening seems quite random and not very interesting. I feel either something got lost in translation or I lack some knowledge about Russian culture and don't get most references, even though I enjoyed a few other Russian classics. Otherwise I'm couldn't explain why it seems so popular here. It really doesn't help that the German translation which I read seems really theatrical and has really contrived dialog.

I also found it hard to follow and the story not particularly interesting, at least not enough of a reward for struggling through it. I finished it a few pages a night over ~3 months, which was a good activity to help me sleep.

I read the translation by Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky. Could be that it simply whooshed me, maybe I'll try again older and wiser and find myself enjoying it.

Great to see (classic) fiction suggested. Seems non-fiction usually gets the medal for "worthiness".

Laying at the side of the pool during my vacation in Turkey with a fresh smell of sunflower oil and the sound of an approaching tram.

I am reading it now - and it is fantastic. And because I cannot read in Russian but am learning it I see how much I am missing: eg: the word for Turnstyle in Russian is the same in meaning as tourniquet - which figures prominently in the beginning of the book.

This is a beautiful book. I recommend the Bergin/O'Connor translation.

Highly recommended! Especially the version OP linked (the Tiernan O'Connor/Burgin translation)

i actually just finished reading it last night. probably one of the best bits of fiction ive read.

Why?