Among the eminent literary works of Mikhail Bulgakov, The Heart of a Dog stands as a pivotal critique of the October Revolution, sharing this thematic exploration with his other significant narratives such as Belaya gvardiya (translated as The White Guard), Diavoliada (known in English as Diabolid and Other Stories), and the expansive Master i Margarita (The Master and Margarita). These works collectively depict Bulgakov’s dark vision of the Revolution, portraying a dystopian reality where bureaucratic triumph translates into a societal nightmare. Each story marks a distinct phase in Bulgakov's evolving response to the social upheavals of the early 20th century.

The White Guard stands out for its empathetic portrayal of pre- and anti-revolutionary Russians through the lens of a family saga. Meanwhile, The Heart of a Dog and Diabolid and Other Stories blend fantastical and comedic elements to deliver a scathing satire of the violent revolutionaries, painting a somber canvas of cultural and spiritual degradation that seemingly defies restoration. In contrast, while equally surreal, The Master and Margarita provides a vision where a divine influence subtly orchestrates goodness amidst human-created chaos.

For many years, Bulgakov’s literary contributions were shrouded in obscurity within the Soviet Union, hidden from both domestic and international literary circles. His reputation primarily rested on his prowess as a playwright, known for injecting vibrancy into the otherwise stagnant theater of the 1920s and 1930s. However, his theatrical works did not fully capture the comedic and satirical brilliance that characterized his novels and short stories.

The revival of Bulgakov's legacy as a novelist began in the 1960s, gaining traction initially outside the Soviet borders. This resurgence paralleled the West's growing interest in Soviet literature, sparked by the emergence of works from authors like Boris Pasternak, Yevgeny Yevtushenko, and Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn. As Bulgakov’s texts began to circulate more freely, both in Russian and translated into other languages, they finally received the recognition they deserved. His literature, particularly The Heart of a Dog, is now celebrated alongside seminal works such as George Orwell’s Animal Farm, Karel Capek’s Valka s mloky (The War with the Newts), and Yevgeny Zamyatin’s My (We). Together, these works form a canon that critically examines humanity’s dangerous fascination with ideological extremism.