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3.23 AVERAGE
3.23 AVERAGE
Not to be confused with a biography, The Spy is an interesting imagining of Mata Hari's thoughts and feelings in the last days of her life.
Não consegui terminar.
A escrita é simples de uma maneira que se torna sem emoção e não consegui me prender ou me apegar à personagem principal.
A escrita é simples de uma maneira que se torna sem emoção e não consegui me prender ou me apegar à personagem principal.
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I don't often say this, but I wish this book had been longer.
My one complaint is that, while this book was clearly about Mata Hari and her life, the philosophizing throughout the narrative could have been fleshed out better, possibly by expanding upon some of the historical episodes to which Coelho alluded throughout the story. As an example: the description of Marshal Phillipe Petain's handling of mutiny and desertion later in the war, but was only given a brief mention despite that event's relevance to Mata Hari's story, as well as to the book's central themes. On the other hand, I understand how such mentions might have clashed with the narrative in a way that distracted from the book itself.
I'm not sure whether this book was designed to be an imaginary memoir, a biography, or historical fiction, but I'm prepared to overlook this identity issue in favor of the larger themes presented in this book: freedom, choice, and autonomy, through the eyes of a truly fascinating and oft-maligned woman.
My one complaint is that, while this book was clearly about Mata Hari and her life, the philosophizing throughout the narrative could have been fleshed out better, possibly by expanding upon some of the historical episodes to which Coelho alluded throughout the story. As an example: the description of Marshal Phillipe Petain's handling of mutiny and desertion later in the war, but was only given a brief mention despite that event's relevance to Mata Hari's story, as well as to the book's central themes. On the other hand, I understand how such mentions might have clashed with the narrative in a way that distracted from the book itself.
I'm not sure whether this book was designed to be an imaginary memoir, a biography, or historical fiction, but I'm prepared to overlook this identity issue in favor of the larger themes presented in this book: freedom, choice, and autonomy, through the eyes of a truly fascinating and oft-maligned woman.
Despite being a history lover I actually don't know a lot about Mata Hari so I jumped at the chance to read this book. Presented as letters between Margaretha Zelle and her solicitor, Édouard Clunet, my main grievance with this book is that it is entirely too short for the rich source material. I was able to whisk through the 208 pages in a disappointingly short time, and unfortunately the narrative suffers for it, feeling rushed and patchy. The correspondence conceit also I feel is not managed well. It seems unnecessary, as certainly the book is mostly written as a short story. Until we see the answer from the solicitor I could have forgotten I was reading a letter at all. Perhaps they would have been better presented as a series of letters to better construct the flow of events, because I found some of the jumping around jarring.
All this aside, there is certainly so much that interests me about this woman that I am moved to find a more complete biography and learn more about her so for that I have the author to thank. I only wish that Mr. Coelho had taken the time to write something with more substance because it seems such a tragic story, especially considering the strides that women have made since. More than just a courtesan or a victim, Mata Hari is also a self made woman who created her own legend that endures to this day.
All this aside, there is certainly so much that interests me about this woman that I am moved to find a more complete biography and learn more about her so for that I have the author to thank. I only wish that Mr. Coelho had taken the time to write something with more substance because it seems such a tragic story, especially considering the strides that women have made since. More than just a courtesan or a victim, Mata Hari is also a self made woman who created her own legend that endures to this day.
I have enjoyed Coehlo in the past, and I'm sure I will again, but this book was not for me. It read line he had a preconceived notion of Mata Hari and bent information to fit that mold instead of the other way around.
Full review to come. I'm still mulling, and it's late.
Full review to come. I'm still mulling, and it's late.
I was disappointed with this book and didn't feel as if it offered anything new on Mata Hari or even put a fresh perspective on what is already known about her.
It felt too slight for its subject matter: an intriguing woman whose name and reputation have become synonymous with the female spy.
It felt too slight for its subject matter: an intriguing woman whose name and reputation have become synonymous with the female spy.
