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sambam_42's review against another edition
4.0
Listened to this on audiobook, good narrators. The story is mostly written from Mata Hari's point of view in a series of letters she pens from her jail cell to her defense attorney. She paints a very compelling but bizarre painting of her life and what led to her trial and eventual execution. The third part of the story is a letter written by her attorney to her on the night before her execution detailing what he tried to do in her defense. To me, this was a much more compelling and interesting side of the story and far too short lived. Perhaps there wouldn't have been much to flesh out for a full fledged novel but the emotions and information were there to leave me wanting more.
the_sunken_library's review against another edition
4.0
I hadn't heard of Mata Hari until I stumbled across this book in the Waterstones sale. I thought it sounded intriguing, especially the idea of an exotic dancer being embroiled in espionage during WWI.
From further research it appears Paulo took certain liberties with regards to the truthful retelling of certain aspects of her life, and jumbled a number of events in her timeline, although this is acknowledged at the end of this short book.
I found Mata Hari to be an egotistical maniac, who's life was a sad tale that she attempted to escape through fanciful embellishment and story-telling. She took her destiny into her own hands, becoming a strong independent woman who was unashamed of her body and 'legendary' beauty. Yet at the same she was selfish and stupid; she abandoned her own child to a man who beat and raped her and thought she could become a successful double agent simply because she had seduced powerful men into bed. Instead she allowed herself to be manipulated and used as a cheap distraction. She ended up as a wretched figure, betrayed by her former lovers, murdered by a country she loved. Though, thanks to reviews and photographs, there is still the glimpse of a woman who defied social norms, who brought the celebration of the erotic female body into accepted society, who inspired a myriad number of dancers.
Well written and compelling. Consumed within days.
From further research it appears Paulo took certain liberties with regards to the truthful retelling of certain aspects of her life, and jumbled a number of events in her timeline, although this is acknowledged at the end of this short book.
I found Mata Hari to be an egotistical maniac, who's life was a sad tale that she attempted to escape through fanciful embellishment and story-telling. She took her destiny into her own hands, becoming a strong independent woman who was unashamed of her body and 'legendary' beauty. Yet at the same she was selfish and stupid; she abandoned her own child to a man who beat and raped her and thought she could become a successful double agent simply because she had seduced powerful men into bed. Instead she allowed herself to be manipulated and used as a cheap distraction. She ended up as a wretched figure, betrayed by her former lovers, murdered by a country she loved. Though, thanks to reviews and photographs, there is still the glimpse of a woman who defied social norms, who brought the celebration of the erotic female body into accepted society, who inspired a myriad number of dancers.
Well written and compelling. Consumed within days.
sunzreads's review
3.0
The Spy is an ingenious, reflective narrative infused with Coelho's own interpretation of what Mata Hari could've felt and thought about God, life, love, and power before her execution. The prologue was exquisitely written. The detailed sequences of events--from the time she woke up in her cell at 5 in the morning to the moment she was declared dead-- give a slow-motion effect that evoked a feeling of sympathy for the woman who was sentenced to die for an accusation founded on weak evidence.
On the other hand, The Spy is my least favorite Coelho book. The use of figurative language fused sentimentality into the narrative but it didn't fit my expectations. Perhaps, watching Mata Hari's documentary and reading her history first ruined the experience for me. I've learned my lesson.
On the other hand, The Spy is my least favorite Coelho book. The use of figurative language fused sentimentality into the narrative but it didn't fit my expectations. Perhaps, watching Mata Hari's documentary and reading her history first ruined the experience for me. I've learned my lesson.
roxymaybe's review against another edition
2.0
1. can we please stop men from writing about beautiful and 'sexually liberated' women? they just can't seem to do it with any authenticity or nuance.
2. I'm almost impressed that Coelho could take such a brilliant and interesting true story and turn it into a book where NOTHING HAPPENS. things are hinted at, alluded to, and then? we just move on????
3. the best part was a bland retelling of an Oscar Wilde short story ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
4. at least it was short...
2. I'm almost impressed that Coelho could take such a brilliant and interesting true story and turn it into a book where NOTHING HAPPENS. things are hinted at, alluded to, and then? we just move on????
3. the best part was a bland retelling of an Oscar Wilde short story ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
4. at least it was short...
dilchh's review against another edition
3.0
I honestly didn't expect this to be such a short story indeed. It really cuts to the chase, and I surprisingly like it. I didn't have any problem, like I usually have when I read a Paulo Coelho book. This book is straight up interesting, because it left you with many questions and discussions, if not about women then about life and what one must pursue in life. I'm definitely surprised to enjoy it, although I would have liked it more had it been a little bit longer.
labunnywtf's review against another edition
2.0
This story would have been amazing if it were fiction, loosely based on the life of Mata Hari. I mean, that's what this is, but it's written as though it were the story of Mata Hari. An awful lot of historical liberties are taken, and that's coming from someone who knows very, very little about the real life woman.
I discovered while reading this that a lot of people don't know who Mata Hari is, down to the name. And this isn't a case of 'damn youngins not knowing history", these were people my age range and older who I had to spell the name out three times while they typed into their phones to see if they could just watch a movie to find out who she was.
This story is very beautifully written, but it feels exceptionally off. Mata Hari was villainized at a time where political distraction was needed desperately to take attention away from very real issues that were going on.
The real story of Mata Hari gets lost in here, but it's so poignant and relevant to the world 100 years after her death, and it's something that needs to be talked about, and this is not the book that will do it.
Read up on Mata Hari's life and death. If you want to read this, go ahead. It's a great jumping off point, like watching the movie before reading the book to find out how the story really happened. I cannot emphasize enough that the world she lived and died in is not even remotely far removed from our own.
I discovered while reading this that a lot of people don't know who Mata Hari is, down to the name. And this isn't a case of 'damn youngins not knowing history", these were people my age range and older who I had to spell the name out three times while they typed into their phones to see if they could just watch a movie to find out who she was.
This story is very beautifully written, but it feels exceptionally off. Mata Hari was villainized at a time where political distraction was needed desperately to take attention away from very real issues that were going on.
The real story of Mata Hari gets lost in here, but it's so poignant and relevant to the world 100 years after her death, and it's something that needs to be talked about, and this is not the book that will do it.
Read up on Mata Hari's life and death. If you want to read this, go ahead. It's a great jumping off point, like watching the movie before reading the book to find out how the story really happened. I cannot emphasize enough that the world she lived and died in is not even remotely far removed from our own.
kiminindy's review against another edition
4.0
I started out loving this book but it soon became a little disjointed. I realize that it is based off a letter she wrote prior to facing the firing squad. It makes me want to read more about Mata Hari.
groenetaart's review against another edition
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes