I want to read Bulgakov's books, but I don't know which novel to start with. People say that writers' style changes over time - could it be that early works are really different from later ones? What's the best way to approach studying a classic author's work?
Bulgakov is a good example - there really is a difference between his early and late style. If you start with his earliest stories, they might not seem great; they're rougher around the edges. But I'd suggest not starting from the very beginning of his career, but with something that's already well-written and easier to read. "The Master and Margarita" is his final novel, and by then his style is fully formed, the language is richer, the plot more interesting. If you start with that, you'll understand what the author was aiming for, and then you can move on to earlier works if you want to.
On the other hand, "The White Guard" or "Heart of a Dog" are more accessible than "The Master and Margarita," and you can already see that the author knows what he's doing. You read a somewhat easier book, then move on to his masterpiece - it flows logically. Going in order of increasing difficulty works better than chronological order.
The main thing is don't torture yourself with really early texts if they don't seem that great. Writers really do develop, and with Bulgakov it's especially clear. If you start with already-good books, it's easier to go back to his roots later if you want to understand his evolution.
"The Master and Margarita" is his final novel, the most polished and ambitious, and it's what makes most people fall in love with Bulgakov. If you start with it, you'll understand why he's worth reading at all, and then you can go on to explore his earlier works - they'll be more interesting against the backdrop of understanding what he ultimately achieved.
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