The White Guard (Deluxe Library Edition)

First published in 1925, ‘The White Guard’ is an engrossing book in which a Kyiv family is caught up in the Ukrainian War of Independence. Written by Mikhail Bulgakov, a Russian writer, medical doctor, and playwright active in the first half of the 20th century.

Reds, Whites, German troops, and Ukrainian nationalists battle for control of the city of Kyiv as the war becomes more cataclysmic in Mikhail Bulgakov’s debut novel. Drawing laboriously from the author’s own background in Ukraine during the period of the Russian Civil War—he witnessed ten changes of government himself—the novel is told from alternating points of view and takes an unusual angle on the conflict between Russian Whites (with whom the Turbin family identify) and Ukrainian nationalists. It elegantly portrays the disarray of a civil war in which there is no good or evil, only loyalty to one’s friends, family, and convictions.

Mikhail Bulgakov, born on May 15, 1891, in Kiev, Ukraine (then part of the Russian Empire), was a prominent Soviet-era writer and playwright, renowned for his satirical and fantastical works. He studied medicine at Kiev University and briefly practiced as a physician before devoting himself entirely to writing. Bulgakov's writing career flourished during the tumultuous years of the Russian Revolution and the subsequent establishment of the Soviet Union. His works often reflected the absurdity and contradictions of Soviet life under communist rule. One of Bulgakov's most famous works is "The Master and Margarita," a novel completed in the 1930s but unpublished during his lifetime due to censorship. This masterpiece intertwines a satirical portrayal of Soviet society with elements of magical realism, depicting the Devil's visit to Moscow and its repercussions. "The Master and Margarita" is widely regarded as one of the greatest novels of the 20th century. Despite facing censorship and persecution from Soviet authorities, Bulgakov continued to write prolifically, producing plays, short stories, and novels that explored themes of individual freedom, artistic expression, and the conflict between good and evil. Mikhail Bulgakov passed away on March 10, 1940, at the age of 48, leaving behind a legacy of literary brilliance that continues to captivate readers worldwide. His works have since been celebrated for their incisive social commentary, imaginative storytelling, and profound philosophical insights into the human condition.