The Spy By Paul Coelho

Reviewed By Richard Marx

Paulo Coelho pens a gripping and part fictional tale on the life of a legendary dancer cum falsely accused spy named Mata Hari in his new novel, The Spy. He spins a riveting autobiographical account on the dancer's life through a fictional letter penned by the dancer herself addressing to her lawyer. An epitome of individuality, extravagant lifestyle, exquisite taste in fashion, independence and erotic dance moves in the early 20th century in Paris, she is one character which will grip you from the very beginning.

Margaretha Zelle is a Dutch girl born into a middle-class family in Holland. After her parents' divorce she moves in with her uncle to get teacher's training. One fine day, she replies to a matrimonial ad in the newspaper of an army man looking for a wife and within three months of meeting the man, she gets married to him and moves to Indonesia.

Her life turns tragic as she becomes a victim to sexual and physical abuse by her husband. But her painful ordeal with marital life soon comes to an end, when the suicide of another army's wife irks her up and fills her up with confidence to leave her husband. She makes her way to Paris, where a wealthy man spots her talent of dancing. He gives her the right opportunity to showcase her talent during the opening of his museum. And within few months of success, she becomes a household name in Paris. Her beauty and grace stole the hearts of many wealthy men, the provider to her extravagant lifestyle. Gradually, she gets caught up in the crossfire of the war, as she chooses to work as a double agent and within few months. She also gets arrested and finally executed in Paris, the city where she became Mata Hari.

The author resurrects this legendary dancer through his book, although he fails to explore into the depth of the great persona of Mata Hari thereby leaving an incomplete portrait of her. The historical facts accurately sync with the storyline giving the book a thorough background. The world before the Great War in Paris that beamed of glitter, extravaganza and exquisite artistic qualities, which also gave the definition to Paris at that point in time, will sway the readers into that time period.

Publisher: Penguin Random House

Availability: Amazon

Price 254/-