Bulgakov was a Soviet writer and satirist who was brutally trashed by the literary bureaucracy of the time (1920s)...but he was protected by Stalin who thought his genius transcended politics.
When he requested permission to emigrate in 1931 Stalin personally asked him if he meant it. Uh oh. He stayed and wrote (actually finished) this satire which was finally published in 1966...26 years after his death.
It is acclaimed as one of the great literary works of the 20th century (I agree) and has been adapted to the stage in many languages. Mrs B and I saw it this summer. It totally ruled!
Briefly...Satan and five accomplices (his ghoulish valet, a hitman, a giant talking black cat with a Browning pistol, a beautiful, young naked vampire and of course, a witch) appear in Moscow in the early 20s after a century's absence.....and all hell breaks loose. :)