The Spy by Paulo Coelho

The Spy by Paulo Coelho
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The Spy by Paulo Coelho

2017

This book is based on real events that occcurred in Paris 1917 when Mata Hari was executed.

I enjoyed the historical perspective of this book from the views of Margaretha Zelle, known as Mata Hari. It is written from her perspective and that of her attorney through "letters" in which they describe the events of her life and eventual conviction. She hopes to explain the ambiguities and misconceptions that followed her throughout her life. She honestly admits her flaws and bad decisions which ultimately led to the suspicions of her being accused a spy. She is a strong independent woman who is always very much in charge of her life. She used her sensual beauty and manipulative seduction to forge her life from "nothing" to a woman with power, fame and money.

"And that was me, Mata Hari, for whom every moment of light and every moment of darkness meant the same thing."

Her attorney notes, "You were beautiful, known worldwide, always envied—though never respected—in the concert halls where you appeared. Liars, what little I know of them, are people who seek popularity and recognition. Even when faced with truth, they always find a way to escape, coldly repeating what had just been said or blaming the accuser of speaking untruths."

"My dear Mata Hari, what spy in their right mind would mention such barbarities with the enemy? But your desire to call people’s attention, at a time when your fame was in decline, only made matters worse."

This story has no spoilers since it's historical fiction with unclear circumstances even to this day as further records are due to be unsealed 2017 after 100 years.


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