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3.23 AVERAGE
3.23 AVERAGE
emotional
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
good book
3.75
I think this was an interesting and concise historical piece, depicting the hardship women went through when they tried to be free. I do think it was lacking real depth, at times I felt for Mati but during other parts, I thought she was extremely ignorant and silly. Perhaps if it was longer, the complexity of her character could have been better developed
I think this was an interesting and concise historical piece, depicting the hardship women went through when they tried to be free. I do think it was lacking real depth, at times I felt for Mati but during other parts, I thought she was extremely ignorant and silly. Perhaps if it was longer, the complexity of her character could have been better developed
A novel of the life of Mata Hari told as her last letter to her attorney for delivery to her daughter in case she is sentenced to death for espionage. I really enjoyed this short novel and the sympathetic voice it gives to Mata Hari, as a woman defying the conventions of her day to make a better life for herself. The details of her life and living in Europe before WWI and having the events of the outbreak of war unfold around her come to life through Coelho's writing. I really enjoyed this book and the way it pulled me in to Mata Hari's life.
I didn't want to put this down! What an intriguing story about Mata Hari, an alleged spy, prostitute, exotic dancer, and independent woman. Coelho tells the Hari's story through her last letters in her own voice as well as from her prosecutor's perspective in epistolary format as well. Mati Hari was an independent woman brave enough to through off the shackles of a typical woman's role. I found it an extraordinary tale.
This book is 186 pages and the pages have little text on them. It was a very quick and interesting read. I think any fan of history would like it.
This book is 186 pages and the pages have little text on them. It was a very quick and interesting read. I think any fan of history would like it.
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Not sure what to make of this book, really.
The thing is, I began to be interested in Mata Hari's story since before I was in Amsterdam in 2015 and made me purchase this book, one of the few highly anticipated reads for me this year. As [a:Paulo Coelho|566|Paulo Coelho|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1201840056p2/566.jpg] claims, the book is highly edited for it to be chronologically arranged and some useless bits has been removed. I certainly am not sure how much of it is tampered. I see some parts were added to meet Coelho's standards, especially the nightingale metaphor used in one of the chapters.
Personally, I cannot say this is a bad book. It isn't. But neither it is an excellent one. It is an okay read.
It saddens me how much hell Mata Hari had to go through during her life, but I think she chose to be involved in that. Her independence really betrayed her in this case. Her independence led her to the wrong men that she ended up having to deal with their perfidiousness, ultimately her death. Her early brutal and traumatic experience made her a pathological liar - which led to unnecessary suspicions. That being said, I am not sure how much of her letters are real. Am not sure if she simply romanticised the stories to make her innocence plausible and would've freed her. It is pretty unclear who's at fault here. But certainly, the lack of concrete evidence surely wasn't enough to put her on the death row. Again, that part of the story was too much she didn't deserve the execution. Well, it was mentioned any involvement with the Germans was enough to put her into suspicion, so I guess she was just in the wrong place at the wrong time with the wrong people? Still... not a good enough reason to be executed. Feel bad for her, really...
Anyway, the read was quick and actually made me Wiki her story a little bit. Because as I said, the book is written from her POV when she was in prison days/months before her execution, it's possible that the stories she wrote was heavily tempered. So if you want facts, go search her up online. It's pretty interesting, really...
Not sure what to make of this book, really.
The thing is, I began to be interested in Mata Hari's story since before I was in Amsterdam in 2015 and made me purchase this book, one of the few highly anticipated reads for me this year. As [a:Paulo Coelho|566|Paulo Coelho|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1201840056p2/566.jpg] claims, the book is highly edited for it to be chronologically arranged and some useless bits has been removed. I certainly am not sure how much of it is tampered. I see some parts were added to meet Coelho's standards, especially the nightingale metaphor used in one of the chapters.
Personally, I cannot say this is a bad book. It isn't. But neither it is an excellent one. It is an okay read.
It saddens me how much hell Mata Hari had to go through during her life, but I think she chose to be involved in that. Her independence really betrayed her in this case. Her independence led her to the wrong men that she ended up having to deal with their perfidiousness, ultimately her death. Her early brutal and traumatic experience made her a pathological liar - which led to unnecessary suspicions. That being said, I am not sure how much of her letters are real. Am not sure if she simply romanticised the stories to make her innocence plausible and would've freed her. It is pretty unclear who's at fault here. But certainly, the lack of concrete evidence surely wasn't enough to put her on the death row. Again, that part of the story was too much she didn't deserve the execution. Well, it was mentioned any involvement with the Germans was enough to put her into suspicion, so I guess she was just in the wrong place at the wrong time with the wrong people? Still... not a good enough reason to be executed. Feel bad for her, really...
Anyway, the read was quick and actually made me Wiki her story a little bit. Because as I said, the book is written from her POV when she was in prison days/months before her execution, it's possible that the stories she wrote was heavily tempered. So if you want facts, go search her up online. It's pretty interesting, really...
challenging
informative
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Obviously a very different type of story than what one usually reads by Coelho. The book is quickly read and didn't leave me with anything than disdain for the main character.
Three stars since it's not a bad book, but not an amazing work either.
Three stars since it's not a bad book, but not an amazing work either.
The story of Mata Hari told through the switching perspective in the form of letters by and her lawyer. It was an interesting take and introduction to her story, but lacked some of the beauty and prose one expects from Coelho. Still I’m glad to have read it.