The Spy: A Novel of Mata Hari (Vintage International)

Coelho’s Risk Has Paid Off Dearest Reader,If you are an avid Paulo Coelho fan, or a first time reader, I can truthfully say without question that THE SPY is definitely one of Coelho’s greatest endeavors of love.Coelho never ceases to amaze me with each book. It is apparent that Coelho gets bored with the “usual” style in which most writers allow themselves to get trapped. Therefore, he risks as he takes on unique challenges, and new styles of presentation. THE SPY is his latest creation. Within this masterly constructed text, we feel not only Coelho’s need for change, but also Mata Hari’s desire for a new adventure.Over the last two decades, Europe has been releasing many previously banned files concerning WW I. Coelho had been intrigued with Mata Hari since his early twenties. Consequently, as documents/letters, about her/by her, were released, he clamored to get his hands on them and deeply ingest them. It was evident that this magnificent lady’s real life needed to be told. Undoubtedly, I thank Mr. Coelho for daring to tackle this subject.“Mata Hari was one of our first feminists,” Coelho relates in a release,“defying expectations of that time and choosing instead an independent, unconventional life. There are lessons we can draw from her life today, where accusations by the powerful still cost the innocent their lives.”The first review I read about the book stated that it contained letters from people in Mata Hari’s life and letters from herself. I thought, “Oh no. I hope that the book is not filled with ‘copied’ word by word letters that need to be read to continue the story.” I am so happy to report that Coelho has not let his readers down. The book reads like smooth, delightfully tasting butter. Many reviewers have written that it feels as if Coelho has “channelled” Mata Hari. I concur with this as I guarantee that this heart filled character will sit with you as she tells you her story.THE SPY is a page turner. I read it in an hour and fifteen minutes -- including the time I took to ponder the superb observations about life and the human condition that Coelho, one of the greatest masters of our time, brings to light.Do not miss this opportunity to not only purchase this for yourself but also for all of the independent women and men in your life. It truly is one of Paulo Coelho’s grandest works.RHSTheatre

Reads like a textbook. Although it's interesting, and based on fact, I didn't feel any emotion whatsoever during the read or for its characters.. Wished the read had more dialogue to devise strong emotions regarding the characters. I bought the book to read a tale historical fiction. Truth told, I enjoyed the historical facts behind the tale, but not the characters, all of which seemed unemotional. I didn't long to turn the pages, although I tried to.

This is a short book. It didn't take me all that long to read it. It is the story of Mata Hair, told in an interesting way, first from her view point and then via another person's perspective, and finally from letters. I thought it was a pretty creative approach. I didn't know much about Mata Hair before I read this book. Now I believe I have a reasonable view of the kind of person she was. She must have had some class, although she was a little before her time. She obviously would never have been executed 10 or 20 years later, let alone today. But I enjoyed it. It was worth the time spent on it.

I've heard about Mata Hari all my life. Who isn't familiar with the exotic image of the female spy? Actually, not too many are familiar with the story behind the myth. This was an enjoyable read, and a good lesson in the history. Beyond that I loved the way that Coelho was able to express the intelligence and the emotions of this fascinating woman from a woman's point of view.

Interesting, but shallow. A very fast read (large type, double spaced). I’m not sure what the point was - better to have embellished, added depth and called it historical fiction because all that was here is available for free on Wikipedia

I have read all of Coehlos books and I anxiously wait for his new books. However, this one was not one I enjoyed. The narrative was good as usual, but the substance that I expect in his books was just not there. It's too shallow, too linear. I bought both English and Spanish version. I am going to read it in spanish now see if my opinion changes.

I would like to think that our society, our world has changed since Mata Hari's persecution and death but sadly I believe this still happens on a regular basis even today. Men of power blaming and using women in their lives to escape truth, a woman seeking love, freedom, independence is a threat. To use a commonly tweeted term - 'Sad'. Well written, worth the time...

I had no idea Mata Hari might have been falsely accused, as this book posits. This was an interesting look at the life of a woman determined to make her own rules. Society punished her for her independence. I especially found the overlapping historical figures in the Alfred Dreyfus affair (discovered in a great book, An Officer and a Spy, by Robert Harris) interesting. Coehlo's switching to the point of view of Hari's defense lawyer for the second half of the book was also an interesting choice.

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You get so engrossed in reading that time flies.Simple but in-depth quotesBeautiful written and amazing experience.Good read.

Es un gran escritor que decir de el es un auténtico genio de la literatura me ha encantado esta muy bien

As history is about to repeat itself again this book ponders a perfectly timed question of ethics of sacrificing an innocent person for diversion and satisfaction of public opinion. The story presents the views of Mata Hari and her defending lawyer on the circumstances of and reasons behind her execution. Coelho well managed to depict the pre first world war atmosphere, the eternal fear and envy of bold and fearless women and dangers of a tall poppy syndrome. Sad and awakening, thought provoking and mesmerizing story to read.

Though reviewing books based on historical facts/reality is a bit of a hard thing to do,I found this rather interesting. I had first heard about Mata Hari, the Dutch dancer who took France by storm a while back but didn't make much of her life and times. Coelho does some justice to her story more so.Though it was a short book, her voice shone through. Her pleas of innocence still crying from the great beyond. Mata Hari simply existed in a wrong time. She was unconventional for her time.I loved reading this book but it felt a bit rushed. All in all a good read.