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L'Espionne
When Mata Hari arrived in Paris she was penniless. Within months she was the most celebrated woman in the city.
As a dancer, she shocked and delighted audiences; as a courtesan, she bewitched the era’s richest and most powerful men.
But as paranoia consumed a country at war, Mata Hari’s lifestyle brought her under suspicion. In 1917, she was arrested in her hotel room on the Champs-Élysées, and accused of espionage.
Told in Mata Hari’s voice through her final letter, The Spy is the unforgettable story of a woman who dared to defy convention and paid the ultimate price.
As a dancer, she shocked and delighted audiences; as a courtesan, she bewitched the era’s richest and most powerful men.
But as paranoia consumed a country at war, Mata Hari’s lifestyle brought her under suspicion. In 1917, she was arrested in her hotel room on the Champs-Élysées, and accused of espionage.
Told in Mata Hari’s voice through her final letter, The Spy is the unforgettable story of a woman who dared to defy convention and paid the ultimate price.
180 pages, Paperback
First published June 27, 2017
About the author
Paulo Coelho
432 books140k followersThe Brazilian author PAULO COELHO was born in 1947 in the city of Rio de Janeiro. Before dedicating his life completely to literature, he worked as theatre director and actor, lyricist and journalist. In 1986, PAULO COELHO did the pilgrimage to Saint James of Compostella, an experience later to be documented in his book The Pilgrimage. In the following year, COELHO published The Alchemist. Slow initial sales convinced his first publisher to drop the novel, but it went on to become one of the best selling Brazilian books of all time. Other titles include Brida (1990), The Valkyries (1992), By the river Piedra I sat Down and Wept (1994), the collection of his best columns published in the Brazilian newspaper Folha de São Paulo entitle Maktub (1994), the compilation of texts Phrases (1995), The Fifth Mountain (1996), Manual of a Warrior of Light (1997), Veronika decides to die (1998), The Devil and Miss Prym (2000), the compilation of traditional tales in Stories for parents, children and grandchildren (2001), Eleven Minutes (2003), The Zahir (2005), The Witch of Portobello (2006) and Winner Stands Alone (to be released in 2009). During the months of March, April, May and June 2006, Paulo Coelho traveled to celebrate the 20th anniversary of his pilgrimage to Saint James of Compostella in 1986. He also held surprise book signings - announced one day in advance - in some cities along the way, to have a chance to meet his readers. In ninety days of pilgrimage the author traveled around the globe and took the famous Transiberrian train that took him to Vladivostok. During this experience Paulo Coelho launched his blog Walking the Path - The Pilgrimage in order to share with his readers his impressions. Since this first blog Paulo Coelho has expanded his presence in the internet with his daily blogs in Wordpress, Myspace & Facebook. He is equally present in media sharing sites such as Youtube and Flickr, offering on a regular basis not only texts but also videos and pictures to his readers. From this intensive interest and use of the Internet sprang his bold new project: The Experimental Witch where he invites his readers to adapt to the screen his book The Witch of Portobello. Indeed Paulo Coelho is a firm believer of Internet as a new media and is the first Best-selling author to actively support online free distribution of his work.
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December 7, 2016
Mata Hari really deserves better than she has been getting in the literary department. First there was Mata Hari’s Last Dance by Michelle Moran that made her inexplicably obtuse and naive considering her accomplishments. Now Paulo Coelho gives us The Spy which seems to be nothing more than a contrivance for some New Age aphorisms. He sees her as someone who was an emancipated woman, that freedom was her crime, but ignores the reality that made her “free”.
The real Mata Hari is more interesting. Margaretha Zelle MacLeod was a brave woman who fled sexual abuse and rape by a school headmaster by marrying a man she met by answering an ad. She moved with her husband to Indonesia and discovered that she went from the frying pan to the fire.
He was an abusive man whose gave her syphilis and nearly killed her on more than one occasion. His syphilis likely infected their two children. Their son died, and their daughter, Non, survived. They alleged that a nanny poisoned the children, but historians think it was a cover story as no one was charged. They divorced and she got custody but he refused to pay child support and she eventually gave her daughter back to her ex-husband because he could afford to care for her. Coelho reveals the abuse and the cheating, but ignores that she tried many “respectable” careers for women, trying to support herself and her daughter, before becoming Mata Hari. She did not leave her daughter lightly or ever forget her. She wrote to his cousin confessing that she slept with men for money, “Don’t think that I’m bad at heart, I have done it only out of poverty.”
From this desperation, she forged a career as a dancer and as woman who slept with men for money and favors. Coelho presents her as a libertine, a free-love free spirit, emancipated. She was not. In reality, she wrote, “My own husband has given me a distaste for matters sexual such as I cannot forget,” That of course is not in this book because it contradicts his story of a free woman. Reality was more complicated, a woman who did not so much choose her profession as accept it, and once accepting it, pursued it to the heights of fame and celebrity. To me it seems that using men for fame, wealth, and power came from rage at how they had used her, not vanity and greed. If greed were her motivation, she would not have tried many other occupations first.
It’s been ninety-nine years since Mata Hari was executed. As confidential documents have been declassified, the evidence make clear she was innocent, convicted as a scapegoat for military failures. World War I was a bloodbath, a war of attrition that slaughtered 60% of the men of a generation. Those who made the decisions could not pay, but a foreigner, a prostitute, a nude dancer, she could pay, and pay with her life. Her story is dramatic and oh-so-very moral. A woman transgresses and climbs high but then is brought low, punished for her transgressions, punished for being independent and greedy and vain and for sleeping around. The story of Mata Hari is pure slut-shaming.
Unless the story is real and tells the truth about where she came from, what her motivations were, and how determinedly she dragged herself up from poverty and desperation. Coelho does not do that at all. He makes it sound like she did it easily, she goes to Paris, meets the right people and she’s rich. She never misses her daughter or agonizes over her loss. She’s shallow and stupid, meeting Freud and Stravinsky and others and forgetting their first names, a name dropper who can’t remember the name…pathetic.
With her recently released letters that reveal her own thoughts about her career and her daughter, it seems inexcusable to me that she is still presented as a sexual libertine seeking fame and money, rather than the far more nuanced and complicated woman she really was. Worse, to have her struggle exploited as a vehicle for pabulum like “when we don’t know where life is taking us, we are never lost” or “an artist who desires very little and achieves it has failed in life”
Part One of the book is a letter written by Mata Hari to her lawyer and it does not feel authentic, but it is tolerable next to the histrionic letter written by her lawyer that makes up Part Two. It was only because the book is short, closer to a novella than a novel, and I was so close to finishing, that I kept reading through Part Two. Consider this gem when speaking of the injustice of her fate, “it will continue to happen until the end of time, or until man finds out he is not only what he thinks, but mostly what he feels. The body tires easily, but the spirit is always free and will help us get out, one day, from this infernal cycle of repeating the same mistakes every generation.”
I don’t recommend this book. It’s an inauthentic story by a writer who prefers to push his own philosophy rather than seek the real woman hiding behind the myth. It seems unjust that this woman who was abused her school, her husband, many men and her adopted country, used and betrayed and executed as a scapegoat continues to be exploited and abused by writers who deny her complexity and the very real grit and courage she had.
https://tonstantweaderreviews.wordpre...
The real Mata Hari is more interesting. Margaretha Zelle MacLeod was a brave woman who fled sexual abuse and rape by a school headmaster by marrying a man she met by answering an ad. She moved with her husband to Indonesia and discovered that she went from the frying pan to the fire.
He was an abusive man whose gave her syphilis and nearly killed her on more than one occasion. His syphilis likely infected their two children. Their son died, and their daughter, Non, survived. They alleged that a nanny poisoned the children, but historians think it was a cover story as no one was charged. They divorced and she got custody but he refused to pay child support and she eventually gave her daughter back to her ex-husband because he could afford to care for her. Coelho reveals the abuse and the cheating, but ignores that she tried many “respectable” careers for women, trying to support herself and her daughter, before becoming Mata Hari. She did not leave her daughter lightly or ever forget her. She wrote to his cousin confessing that she slept with men for money, “Don’t think that I’m bad at heart, I have done it only out of poverty.”
From this desperation, she forged a career as a dancer and as woman who slept with men for money and favors. Coelho presents her as a libertine, a free-love free spirit, emancipated. She was not. In reality, she wrote, “My own husband has given me a distaste for matters sexual such as I cannot forget,” That of course is not in this book because it contradicts his story of a free woman. Reality was more complicated, a woman who did not so much choose her profession as accept it, and once accepting it, pursued it to the heights of fame and celebrity. To me it seems that using men for fame, wealth, and power came from rage at how they had used her, not vanity and greed. If greed were her motivation, she would not have tried many other occupations first.
It’s been ninety-nine years since Mata Hari was executed. As confidential documents have been declassified, the evidence make clear she was innocent, convicted as a scapegoat for military failures. World War I was a bloodbath, a war of attrition that slaughtered 60% of the men of a generation. Those who made the decisions could not pay, but a foreigner, a prostitute, a nude dancer, she could pay, and pay with her life. Her story is dramatic and oh-so-very moral. A woman transgresses and climbs high but then is brought low, punished for her transgressions, punished for being independent and greedy and vain and for sleeping around. The story of Mata Hari is pure slut-shaming.
Unless the story is real and tells the truth about where she came from, what her motivations were, and how determinedly she dragged herself up from poverty and desperation. Coelho does not do that at all. He makes it sound like she did it easily, she goes to Paris, meets the right people and she’s rich. She never misses her daughter or agonizes over her loss. She’s shallow and stupid, meeting Freud and Stravinsky and others and forgetting their first names, a name dropper who can’t remember the name…pathetic.
With her recently released letters that reveal her own thoughts about her career and her daughter, it seems inexcusable to me that she is still presented as a sexual libertine seeking fame and money, rather than the far more nuanced and complicated woman she really was. Worse, to have her struggle exploited as a vehicle for pabulum like “when we don’t know where life is taking us, we are never lost” or “an artist who desires very little and achieves it has failed in life”
Part One of the book is a letter written by Mata Hari to her lawyer and it does not feel authentic, but it is tolerable next to the histrionic letter written by her lawyer that makes up Part Two. It was only because the book is short, closer to a novella than a novel, and I was so close to finishing, that I kept reading through Part Two. Consider this gem when speaking of the injustice of her fate, “it will continue to happen until the end of time, or until man finds out he is not only what he thinks, but mostly what he feels. The body tires easily, but the spirit is always free and will help us get out, one day, from this infernal cycle of repeating the same mistakes every generation.”
I don’t recommend this book. It’s an inauthentic story by a writer who prefers to push his own philosophy rather than seek the real woman hiding behind the myth. It seems unjust that this woman who was abused her school, her husband, many men and her adopted country, used and betrayed and executed as a scapegoat continues to be exploited and abused by writers who deny her complexity and the very real grit and courage she had.
https://tonstantweaderreviews.wordpre...
October 3, 2017
فتاة ولدت في أسرة غنية وما تريده تحصل عليه وحتى تجد من يدافع على افعالها.
تتعرض الاسرة الى أزمة مالية فتصبح الفتاة تبحث عن الهروب من الواقع الذي تعيشه.
تريد الشهرة والمال فوجدتها في باريس وعن طريق الرقص والتعري تحت اسم الفن. ومرافقة الأغنياء والنوم معهم.
تتهم بالجاسوسية وتصبح ضحية الحرب الذي لابد من ضحايا يقدمها لتعليل خسارة جيوشها في الحرب وفشل انظمتها.
لم اجد باولو كويلو يدافع عن تصرفات هذه المرأة ولكن يرويها كما هي مع بعض التصرف البسيط لهذه القصة الحقيقية.
قصة عادية جدا ولَم أشعر بعبقرية المؤلف او موهبته.
تتعرض الاسرة الى أزمة مالية فتصبح الفتاة تبحث عن الهروب من الواقع الذي تعيشه.
تريد الشهرة والمال فوجدتها في باريس وعن طريق الرقص والتعري تحت اسم الفن. ومرافقة الأغنياء والنوم معهم.
تتهم بالجاسوسية وتصبح ضحية الحرب الذي لابد من ضحايا يقدمها لتعليل خسارة جيوشها في الحرب وفشل انظمتها.
لم اجد باولو كويلو يدافع عن تصرفات هذه المرأة ولكن يرويها كما هي مع بعض التصرف البسيط لهذه القصة الحقيقية.
قصة عادية جدا ولَم أشعر بعبقرية المؤلف او موهبته.
December 18, 2016
“I am a woman who was born at the wrong time and nothing can be done to fix this. I don’t know if the future will remember me, but if it does, may it never see me as a victim, but as someone who moved forward with courage, fearlessly paying the price she had to pay.”
I picked this one up randomly at the library at the very last second, after spending over half an hour looking for the perfect read. And I’m pleased to say that Paulo Coelho impressed me and then some.
The Spy has brilliant starting point with the first chapter starting on Mata Hari's execution by firing squad. I was nearly impossible to put it down after; it set just the right tone for the rest of tale.
When Mata Hari - born Margaretha Zelle - arrived in Paris she was penniless. Within months she was the most celebrated woman in the city.
As a dancer, she shocked and delighted audiences; as a courtesan, she bewitched the era’s richest and most powerful men.
But as paranoia consumed a country at war, Mata Hari’s lifestyle brought her under suspicion. In 1917, she was arrested in her hotel room on the Champs Elysees, and accused of espionage.
Told in Mata Hari’s voice through her final letter, The Spy is the unforgettable story of a woman who dared to defy convention and who paid the ultimate price.
Also, these next quotes are all I've thinking about since reaching the last page:
“Flowers teach us that nothing is permanent: not their beauty, not even the fact that they will inevitably wilt, because they will still give new seeds. Remember this when you feel joy, pain, or sadness. Everything passes, grows old, dies, and is reborn.”
“But women are able to understand one another without exchanging a word.”
“When we don’t know where life is taking us, we are never lost.”
I'm still in limbo after finishing this book.
The writing truly made me feel Mata Hari's passions, enthusiasm, loneliness, shame, pride, betrayal, and sadness. A short but impactful read, the narrative structure of The Spy shifts among the perspectives of Mata Hari, her attorney, and factual source documents. But I do have to say that ending the story from the point of view of her attorney was quite a disappointment to me. I mean, we left Mata Hari at such a crucial point, she had just recited Oscar Wilde's The Nightingale and the Rose in such beautifully tragic way, and I was starting to feel that more attached to her.
“That was my life; I am the nightingale who gave everything and died while doing so.”
But then we move on to her lawyer, and all my love was gradually forgotten. I'm still contemplating as to why this phenomenal book was ended with his point of view. However, I am eternally grateful that The Spy introduced me both to Paulo Coelho's fast-paced writing and the history behind Mata Hari, who I'll be researching for the next few hours.
To put it simply, this was an educating, insightful and unputdownable read that puts everything in perspective. I started and finished this in the same day. SO GOOD.
Also, I really appreciated the pictures scattered throughout this novel:
This part of the history is something that, I’m sure, will haunt me for the rest of my life. I can't wait to explore more of Paulo Coelho's works and novels next.
*Note: I'm an Amazon Affiliate. If you're interested in buying The Spy, just click on the image below to go through my link. I'll make a small commission!*
Support creators you love. Buy a Coffee for nat (bookspoils) with Ko-fi.com/bookspoils
This review and more can be found on my blog.
I picked this one up randomly at the library at the very last second, after spending over half an hour looking for the perfect read. And I’m pleased to say that Paulo Coelho impressed me and then some.
The Spy has brilliant starting point with the first chapter starting on Mata Hari's execution by firing squad. I was nearly impossible to put it down after; it set just the right tone for the rest of tale.
When Mata Hari - born Margaretha Zelle - arrived in Paris she was penniless. Within months she was the most celebrated woman in the city.
As a dancer, she shocked and delighted audiences; as a courtesan, she bewitched the era’s richest and most powerful men.
But as paranoia consumed a country at war, Mata Hari’s lifestyle brought her under suspicion. In 1917, she was arrested in her hotel room on the Champs Elysees, and accused of espionage.
Told in Mata Hari’s voice through her final letter, The Spy is the unforgettable story of a woman who dared to defy convention and who paid the ultimate price.
Also, these next quotes are all I've thinking about since reaching the last page:
“Flowers teach us that nothing is permanent: not their beauty, not even the fact that they will inevitably wilt, because they will still give new seeds. Remember this when you feel joy, pain, or sadness. Everything passes, grows old, dies, and is reborn.”
“But women are able to understand one another without exchanging a word.”
“When we don’t know where life is taking us, we are never lost.”
I'm still in limbo after finishing this book.
The writing truly made me feel Mata Hari's passions, enthusiasm, loneliness, shame, pride, betrayal, and sadness. A short but impactful read, the narrative structure of The Spy shifts among the perspectives of Mata Hari, her attorney, and factual source documents. But I do have to say that ending the story from the point of view of her attorney was quite a disappointment to me. I mean, we left Mata Hari at such a crucial point, she had just recited Oscar Wilde's The Nightingale and the Rose in such beautifully tragic way, and I was starting to feel that more attached to her.
“That was my life; I am the nightingale who gave everything and died while doing so.”
But then we move on to her lawyer, and all my love was gradually forgotten. I'm still contemplating as to why this phenomenal book was ended with his point of view. However, I am eternally grateful that The Spy introduced me both to Paulo Coelho's fast-paced writing and the history behind Mata Hari, who I'll be researching for the next few hours.
To put it simply, this was an educating, insightful and unputdownable read that puts everything in perspective. I started and finished this in the same day. SO GOOD.
Also, I really appreciated the pictures scattered throughout this novel:
This part of the history is something that, I’m sure, will haunt me for the rest of my life. I can't wait to explore more of Paulo Coelho's works and novels next.
*Note: I'm an Amazon Affiliate. If you're interested in buying The Spy, just click on the image below to go through my link. I'll make a small commission!*
Support creators you love. Buy a Coffee for nat (bookspoils) with Ko-fi.com/bookspoils
This review and more can be found on my blog.
January 8, 2017
انا غالباً لا اضع توقعات لروايات كويلو فبعد تسع قراءات له اصبحت ادرك تماماً اين ستسير رواياته وكيف ستنتهي فهي غالباً تُختم بسعادةٍ وسلام بعد أن يدس كويلو خلالها كل ما يملك من نصائح ومواعظ ومحاولات مملة لرفع الروح المعنوية للقارئ .
مشكلتي مع كويلو ليست في روحانياته او تفاؤله المبالغ به ، مشكلتي مع النمطية التي تسود على رواياته ، وتكراره لنفسه في كل رواية وكأنه يعجز عن الخروج من الدائرة التي حصر نفسه بها لتبدو رواياته وكأنها منسوخة من بعضها رغم اختلاف الفكرة الاساسية .
لكن هذه المرة وضعت افكاراً مسبقة عن الرواية كونها مقتبسة من قصة حقيقة عن حياة الجاسوسة (ماتا هاري) وظننت أنني سأقرا عملاً بمستوى 11 دقيقة لكن للأسف بدا لي مختصر الويكيبيديا عن ماتا اكثر امتاعاً من الرواية نفسها .
الرواية ضعيفة وبلا تشويق ولا ادري ربما حياة ماتا اصلاً لا تحوي ذلك التشويق الذي قد يجعل القارئ يتعلق بقصتها ، او ربما من الافضل قراءة مقال او مشاهدة فيلم بدلاً من التعرف عليها من رواية .
لفت نظري أن معظم الروايات التي قرأتها لكويلو كانت الشخصية الرئيسية فيها امرأة ولهذا اظن أنه بحاجة ان يظهر نفسه بوجهٍ آخر لأنني اعتقد انه استنزف كل اوجه النساء اللاتي هو قادر على تصويرهن ..
ماريا ، فيرونيكا ، شانتال ، بريدا ، ليندا وحتى ماتا يبدين متشابهات بشكل او بآخر رغم اختلاف مصائرهن ، جميعهن يبحثن عن الحياة في المكان الخطأ وبالطريقة الخطأ .
اخيراً ارجو من الله ان يشفيني من لعنة القراءة لكويلو رغم أعترافي بضعف رواياته .
(يعني 10 روايات وما تجوزين منه يا ابرار -_-)
مشكلتي مع كويلو ليست في روحانياته او تفاؤله المبالغ به ، مشكلتي مع النمطية التي تسود على رواياته ، وتكراره لنفسه في كل رواية وكأنه يعجز عن الخروج من الدائرة التي حصر نفسه بها لتبدو رواياته وكأنها منسوخة من بعضها رغم اختلاف الفكرة الاساسية .
لكن هذه المرة وضعت افكاراً مسبقة عن الرواية كونها مقتبسة من قصة حقيقة عن حياة الجاسوسة (ماتا هاري) وظننت أنني سأقرا عملاً بمستوى 11 دقيقة لكن للأسف بدا لي مختصر الويكيبيديا عن ماتا اكثر امتاعاً من الرواية نفسها .
الرواية ضعيفة وبلا تشويق ولا ادري ربما حياة ماتا اصلاً لا تحوي ذلك التشويق الذي قد يجعل القارئ يتعلق بقصتها ، او ربما من الافضل قراءة مقال او مشاهدة فيلم بدلاً من التعرف عليها من رواية .
لفت نظري أن معظم الروايات التي قرأتها لكويلو كانت الشخصية الرئيسية فيها امرأة ولهذا اظن أنه بحاجة ان يظهر نفسه بوجهٍ آخر لأنني اعتقد انه استنزف كل اوجه النساء اللاتي هو قادر على تصويرهن ..
ماريا ، فيرونيكا ، شانتال ، بريدا ، ليندا وحتى ماتا يبدين متشابهات بشكل او بآخر رغم اختلاف مصائرهن ، جميعهن يبحثن عن الحياة في المكان الخطأ وبالطريقة الخطأ .
اخيراً ارجو من الله ان يشفيني من لعنة القراءة لكويلو رغم أعترافي بضعف رواياته .
(يعني 10 روايات وما تجوزين منه يا ابرار -_-)
October 4, 2017
The Spy is the story of Mata Hari, told first in her voice and then from the point of view of one of her male admirers.
Paulo Coelho isn't at his best in this novel.
He prefers and excels at metaphorical stories. For example, in this tale, Coelho has Mata Hari comparing herself to the nightingale that impaled itself on a thorn to grow a bright red rose for a young man in love.
I get what he was reaching for- but I think this tale would have been told better through details rather than metaphors.
Also, it's so short. The audiobook was only a couple hours long.
It wasn't nearly long enough to do Mata Hari's life justice.
I first learned about the fascinating life of Mata Hari in Inspired!: True Stories Behind Famous Art, Literature, Music, and Film by Maria Bukhoninia. There were enough unbelievable things that happened in Mata Hari's life to make a compelling historical fiction.
Sadly, this didn't quite fit the bill for me.
If you're going to read a Coelho novel, may I recommend The Alchemist. (Which is also a novel people love or hate. I fell on the side of love.)
Paulo Coelho isn't at his best in this novel.
He prefers and excels at metaphorical stories. For example, in this tale, Coelho has Mata Hari comparing herself to the nightingale that impaled itself on a thorn to grow a bright red rose for a young man in love.
I get what he was reaching for- but I think this tale would have been told better through details rather than metaphors.
Also, it's so short. The audiobook was only a couple hours long.
It wasn't nearly long enough to do Mata Hari's life justice.
I first learned about the fascinating life of Mata Hari in Inspired!: True Stories Behind Famous Art, Literature, Music, and Film by Maria Bukhoninia. There were enough unbelievable things that happened in Mata Hari's life to make a compelling historical fiction.
Sadly, this didn't quite fit the bill for me.
If you're going to read a Coelho novel, may I recommend The Alchemist. (Which is also a novel people love or hate. I fell on the side of love.)
February 20, 2019
Believe it or not, I might be one of the few people on the planet who have not yet read “The Alchemist”. It is certainly on my list, and I’ve heard many people list it as their favorite book and has changed their life. Due to this and a little knowledge of Mata Hari (just recalling she was an exotic dancer found to be a spy during World War I), when I saw “The Spy” at the bookstore, I picked it up. Besides the cover is captivating, with an old black and white head shot of Mata Hari overlaid on a sparkly background of blue, fading to green, then pink. It caught my eye, and between the author and the subject matter, I couldn’t pass it up. I think this is another case of my having too high of expectations.
I wasn’t disappointed by the story of Mata Hari. Unlikely, tragic, and intriguing, there is a great deal to take away from the story. But honestly, it was the facts and the true events that fascinated me, not Coelho’s writing or approach. There were aspects that didn’t feel right with Mata Hari as the storyteller, for example, she loses a child. It gets one or two lines then is dismissed. Based on the rest of the sympathetic portrayal, this seem out of character. Which events get detailed verses which are summarized and quickly passed seems random or maybe based on the detail of historical information. Anyways, big picture, I was disappointed with Coelho storytelling. As a pure story, it never pulled me in, and as a historical account, it felt lacking and spotty. Still, the lady, her life and cultural impacts were fascinating, so let’s focus on that for a moment. This review will explore her life in some detail, so spoiler warning, stop here if you don’t want more.
Mata Hari was a woman who did anything to pull her life out of poverty and failure. She was used by men, but also manipulated them to become famous and live lavishly. But I don’t believe she choose this life, she reacted to a string of horrific events; rapes, beatings, betrayals the only way she could, with seduction and deceit. While she temporarily found fame and notoriety, she never found requited love. Her extraordinary life was retold many times in many ways through films, plays, musicals, books and even an Opera. Some works focus on her archetype as a femme fetale and others as a victim and scapegoat. While I think Coelho gets her portrayal largely correct, and I valued the retelling of her life, his book falls short of my sky high expectations in terms of exposing the lessons of her tragic life.
I wasn’t disappointed by the story of Mata Hari. Unlikely, tragic, and intriguing, there is a great deal to take away from the story. But honestly, it was the facts and the true events that fascinated me, not Coelho’s writing or approach. There were aspects that didn’t feel right with Mata Hari as the storyteller, for example, she loses a child. It gets one or two lines then is dismissed. Based on the rest of the sympathetic portrayal, this seem out of character. Which events get detailed verses which are summarized and quickly passed seems random or maybe based on the detail of historical information. Anyways, big picture, I was disappointed with Coelho storytelling. As a pure story, it never pulled me in, and as a historical account, it felt lacking and spotty. Still, the lady, her life and cultural impacts were fascinating, so let’s focus on that for a moment. This review will explore her life in some detail, so spoiler warning, stop here if you don’t want more.
Mata Hari was a woman who did anything to pull her life out of poverty and failure. She was used by men, but also manipulated them to become famous and live lavishly. But I don’t believe she choose this life, she reacted to a string of horrific events; rapes, beatings, betrayals the only way she could, with seduction and deceit. While she temporarily found fame and notoriety, she never found requited love. Her extraordinary life was retold many times in many ways through films, plays, musicals, books and even an Opera. Some works focus on her archetype as a femme fetale and others as a victim and scapegoat. While I think Coelho gets her portrayal largely correct, and I valued the retelling of her life, his book falls short of my sky high expectations in terms of exposing the lessons of her tragic life.
March 21, 2017
Uno de mis libros favoritos de todos los tiempos es de Paulo Coelho, El Zahir. Por lo regular disfruto mucho de sus libros aunque no son de mis géneros favoritos y este libro sonaba muy interesante.
Estaba impaciente por leerlo y........no pude quedar más desilusionada: el libro es aburrido a más no poder; el que debió ser un personaje interesante es retratado aquí como una mujer interesada, superficial, mentirosa y egoísta con quien no conecté; y, aunque el libro es muy corto, me tomó mucho tiempo leerlo porque la escritura se siente pesada y para nada parecida a la usual escritura de Paulo Coelho.
Sencillamente esperaba más.
Este libro es un recordatorio de porqué no leo novelas de ficción con personajes históricos.
Estaba impaciente por leerlo y........no pude quedar más desilusionada: el libro es aburrido a más no poder; el que debió ser un personaje interesante es retratado aquí como una mujer interesada, superficial, mentirosa y egoísta con quien no conecté; y, aunque el libro es muy corto, me tomó mucho tiempo leerlo porque la escritura se siente pesada y para nada parecida a la usual escritura de Paulo Coelho.
Sencillamente esperaba más.
Este libro es un recordatorio de porqué no leo novelas de ficción con personajes históricos.
December 13, 2016
This book reminds me that I shouldn't read historical fiction novels that are based on specific people, rather than a general time period. I'm too critical, and no doubt I expect too much from authors who are brave enough to take on the daunting task of getting inside another person's mind.
I'm of the belief that if you dare to feel that you have the insight into someone else's inner workings and what makes them tick, you better make damn sure that your instinct of human nature is sharp and on point. Otherwise, you have exactly what happened with this story.
Coelho allowed his personal political feelings of feminism to cast a shadow over the book, which undermines the integrity of Mata Hari's true story. Regardless of how he feels, a modicum of extra research would have enlightened him to the fact that Mata Hari was a prostitute out of sheer necessity; it was either that or starve to death.
It was NOT to explore some raging undercurrent of sexual desire that she felt entitled to explore at the expense of her daughter's safety. How Coelho fails to see how this would actually make MH seem less sympathetic truly boggles the mind.
She also didn't leave her daughter with a violently abusive man so easily, especially to chase some pipe dream (at the time) of female liberation and equality. These very specific frame of thoughts were not actively investigated with such gusto until decades later, when women had the emotional support of other women, just so they could avoid the exact situation MH was in: prostitution, because there were precious few other choices for a woman.
To think otherwise is nothing more than a slap in the face to all of the women and children who have been adversely effected by the lack of options for women to leave an abusive husband, and earn the income it takes to provide for their children well enough to escape severe poverty.
And that's why I gave it 2 stars, even though it was painful for me to do so. His heart might have been in the right place, but his agenda should've been left out of this story. This is the wrong platform to use for it, especially as it does not apply here. However, I do love Paulo Coelho, and I look forward to reading more of his books.
I'm of the belief that if you dare to feel that you have the insight into someone else's inner workings and what makes them tick, you better make damn sure that your instinct of human nature is sharp and on point. Otherwise, you have exactly what happened with this story.
Coelho allowed his personal political feelings of feminism to cast a shadow over the book, which undermines the integrity of Mata Hari's true story. Regardless of how he feels, a modicum of extra research would have enlightened him to the fact that Mata Hari was a prostitute out of sheer necessity; it was either that or starve to death.
It was NOT to explore some raging undercurrent of sexual desire that she felt entitled to explore at the expense of her daughter's safety. How Coelho fails to see how this would actually make MH seem less sympathetic truly boggles the mind.
She also didn't leave her daughter with a violently abusive man so easily, especially to chase some pipe dream (at the time) of female liberation and equality. These very specific frame of thoughts were not actively investigated with such gusto until decades later, when women had the emotional support of other women, just so they could avoid the exact situation MH was in: prostitution, because there were precious few other choices for a woman.
To think otherwise is nothing more than a slap in the face to all of the women and children who have been adversely effected by the lack of options for women to leave an abusive husband, and earn the income it takes to provide for their children well enough to escape severe poverty.
And that's why I gave it 2 stars, even though it was painful for me to do so. His heart might have been in the right place, but his agenda should've been left out of this story. This is the wrong platform to use for it, especially as it does not apply here. However, I do love Paulo Coelho, and I look forward to reading more of his books.
November 30, 2016
Mata Hari...was she a spy or wasn't she? Did she serve as a double agent for Germany and France throughout World War I or did a malicious allegation with zero evidence destroy her life? In this re-imagining based on nonfiction accounts, author Paulo Coelho says no. Her only crime was her choice to be an independent woman, exposing the world to feminism for the very first time, and for that she lost her life by firing squad.
As Mata Hari waited for execution, one of her last requests was for a pen and paper to write letters. Over the past two decades, Germany, Holland, and the U.K.’s MI5 released their files on Mata Hari which provided tons of insight and information into her life. Mr. Coelho combined information from these letters, a researched timeline, along with creative liberties to write a first-person account of Mata Hari's life starting from about age sixteen.
I loved Mr. Coelho's summarized portrayal of this amazing woman. I wish this novel was longer because I wanted to know her much more. However, I highly respect that Mr. Coelho didn't just make stuff up to fill the pages. I'd like to think that The Spy is as fact-based as possible and if the book feels too short it's because you can't write what you don't know. Fairly recently, I read another re-imagining about nonfiction characters where the opposite was done and I have lost all respect for that particular author. The Spy is the first book I have ever read by Paulo Coelho and I look forward to exploring his other work. But most importantly, I look forward to doing my own research about the amazing Mata Hari. If you enjoy stories about strong women who push the boundaries for our gender, then do some research for yourself...and consider checking out The Spy!
My favorite quote:
"The Greeks have a word full of contradictory meanings: metanoia. Sometimes it means repentance, contrition, confession of sins, the promise not to repeat what we did wrong. At other times it means going beyond what we know to stand face to face with the unknown without recollection or memory, without understanding how it will be to take the next step. We are bound to our lives, to our pasts, to the laws of what we consider right or wrong, and suddenly everything changes. We walk the street without fear and greet out neighbors. But moments later they are no longer our neighbors. They put up fences and barbed wire so we can no longer see things as they were before. So it will be with me. With the Germans. With men who decided to find it easier to let an innocent woman die than to recognize their own mistakes. It is a shame that what happens today already happened yesterday and will happen again tomorrow. It will continue to happen until the end of time or until man finds out he is not only what he things but mostly what he feels. The body tires easily but the spirit is always free and will help us get out one day from this infernal cycle of repeating the same mistakes every generation. Although thoughts always remain the same, there is something stronger, and this is called love."
May 19, 2017
الجاسوسة رواية لباولو كويلو تدور أحداثها حول الحياة الشخصية للراقصة و الجاسوسة الهولندية ماتا هاري التي أعدمت علي يد الفرنسيين رمياً بالرصاص بتهمة التجسس عليهم لمصلحة ألمانيا خلال الحرب العالمية الأولى...
الصراحة الرواية سيئة جداً ومفيهاش أي تشويق و الكاتب تحسه كان ناقل المعلومات من ويكيبيديا و لم يبذل في الرواية أي مجهود يذكر لدرجة إن قراءة المعلومات علي جوجل كانت ممتعة أكتر من الرواية نفسها...
لا ينصح بها!
الصراحة الرواية سيئة جداً ومفيهاش أي تشويق و الكاتب تحسه كان ناقل المعلومات من ويكيبيديا و لم يبذل في الرواية أي مجهود يذكر لدرجة إن قراءة المعلومات علي جوجل كانت ممتعة أكتر من الرواية نفسها...
لا ينصح بها!
April 26, 2018
منذ بدء التاريخ والقصص والحكي هي أهم وسائل توثيقه وتعليمه
فلها المساحة الأكبر بالعهد القديم، بالقرآن..منها عرفنا حضارات قديمة، أساطير الاولين..والتاريخ
ويعدنا الحكاء الكبير باولو كويللو بأن يعيدنا لعصر الحرب العالمية الأولي..مع قصة متا هاري
الجاسوسة
وهي ربما قصة أمرأة "متحررة" في زمن منغلق منافق..لذا جائت كاسرة لكل القيود
الجاسوسة الراقصة هي دوما ما طبع في اذهاننا في مصر عاما بالجاسوسة الراقصة نادية الجندي..ولكن لا مجال للهزل هنا
فالقصة مبينة علي احداث حقيقية...تبدأ بأعدام ماتا هاري ورسالتها لمحاميها الاخيرة..الرسالة التي تحكي فيها حكايتها من بدءها للعمل كمدرسة .. أغتصابها من الناظر نفسه...زواجها االتقليدي ثم هروبها وانتحالها مهنة الرقص رغم ان كل ما تفعله فعليا هو رقص التعري
واتفقنا او اختلفنا عليها كشخصية الا ان كقصة وحكاية كان الامر مثيرا...معايشة اجواء اوروبا وبالتحديد باريس في اوائل القرن العشرين...تذمر الفرنسيين من برج ايفيل ومنافسة المانيا لها
النظرة للمرأة ونفاق الرجال ومدعي الفن ..كل هذا قدمه باولو كويللو بشكل ممتاز في نصف الرواية الاول
لكن النصف الثاني..او الربع الاخير من رسالة ماتا هاري بالاخص عندما نصل لجزء الجاسوسية كان مخيبا للامال بشدة..وجعل متابعة الاحداث السابقة بلا اي معني لان القصة تحولت لشكل تقريري متخبط
نعم الحكاية المفترض انها من نوعية الروايات الرسائلية ولكن كانت ممتعة بالبداية ثم تفككت وتسارعت بشكل مخل للقصة والمعايشة
ثم يأتي الربع الاخير من الرواية كرسالة رد المحامي علي موكلته التي تم اعدامها بشكل تقريري اكثر ويفتقر الاثارة والروائية ليجعل من الكتاب تجربة ليست جيدة للاسف
الثلاث نجوم فقط لنصف الرواية الاول..والقصة التي رغم اي انتقادات لشخصية ماتا هاري فهي شخصية ثرية ولا تستحق ان يتم نسيانها
فهي أمرأة حاولت ان تعري المجتمع قبل تعريتها جسدها بصراحتها وطلاقتها
بل ومازال يقلدها الكثيرات بشكل فج ومبتذل
كنت اتمني من باولو كويللو ان يستعيد مقدرته في الحكي بشكل افضل من هذا
محمد العربي
من 24 ابريل 2018
الي 28 ابريل 2018
فلها المساحة الأكبر بالعهد القديم، بالقرآن..منها عرفنا حضارات قديمة، أساطير الاولين..والتاريخ
ويعدنا الحكاء الكبير باولو كويللو بأن يعيدنا لعصر الحرب العالمية الأولي..مع قصة متا هاري
الجاسوسة
وهي ربما قصة أمرأة "متحررة" في زمن منغلق منافق..لذا جائت كاسرة لكل القيود
الجاسوسة الراقصة هي دوما ما طبع في اذهاننا في مصر عاما بالجاسوسة الراقصة نادية الجندي..ولكن لا مجال للهزل هنا
فالقصة مبينة علي احداث حقيقية...تبدأ بأعدام ماتا هاري ورسالتها لمحاميها الاخيرة..الرسالة التي تحكي فيها حكايتها من بدءها للعمل كمدرسة .. أغتصابها من الناظر نفسه...زواجها االتقليدي ثم هروبها وانتحالها مهنة الرقص رغم ان كل ما تفعله فعليا هو رقص التعري
واتفقنا او اختلفنا عليها كشخصية الا ان كقصة وحكاية كان الامر مثيرا...معايشة اجواء اوروبا وبالتحديد باريس في اوائل القرن العشرين...تذمر الفرنسيين من برج ايفيل ومنافسة المانيا لها
النظرة للمرأة ونفاق الرجال ومدعي الفن ..كل هذا قدمه باولو كويللو بشكل ممتاز في نصف الرواية الاول
لكن النصف الثاني..او الربع الاخير من رسالة ماتا هاري بالاخص عندما نصل لجزء الجاسوسية كان مخيبا للامال بشدة..وجعل متابعة الاحداث السابقة بلا اي معني لان القصة تحولت لشكل تقريري متخبط
نعم الحكاية المفترض انها من نوعية الروايات الرسائلية ولكن كانت ممتعة بالبداية ثم تفككت وتسارعت بشكل مخل للقصة والمعايشة
ثم يأتي الربع الاخير من الرواية كرسالة رد المحامي علي موكلته التي تم اعدامها بشكل تقريري اكثر ويفتقر الاثارة والروائية ليجعل من الكتاب تجربة ليست جيدة للاسف
الثلاث نجوم فقط لنصف الرواية الاول..والقصة التي رغم اي انتقادات لشخصية ماتا هاري فهي شخصية ثرية ولا تستحق ان يتم نسيانها
فهي أمرأة حاولت ان تعري المجتمع قبل تعريتها جسدها بصراحتها وطلاقتها
بل ومازال يقلدها الكثيرات بشكل فج ومبتذل
كنت اتمني من باولو كويللو ان يستعيد مقدرته في الحكي بشكل افضل من هذا
محمد العربي
من 24 ابريل 2018
الي 28 ابريل 2018
August 23, 2017
" في الحرب، تكون كرامة الإنسان هي أولى الضحايا "
لا أود الخوض في تفاصيل ونقد الرواية، سأركز في مراجعتي على هده الجزئية فقط المتعلقة بمقاربة الحرب من منظور إنساني وأرى أنها تحمل ثقل الرواية على كاهلها ، ولأجلها كتبت وكويلو ماهر دائماً في دس تلك الرسائل في قصص قد تبدو بعيدة بعض الشئ عن هدف الرواية الرئيسي، إنما تبقى غاية الرواية هي تمرير رسالة معينة بين جناح الرواية ..
أجل في الحرب تكون الكرامة هي آخر ما يمكن أن يحسب له حساب، والبرئ هو أول من يدفع الثمن وآخر من يلملم الجراح، في الحرب يقتل بعض الناس في سبيل كتم بعض الفضائح العسكرية ودفن بعض الخيبات وشغل الناس بقضايا تافهة وخلق قصص المؤامرات وحجب الحقائق بأكبر قدر ممكن وتعطيل العمل بكل الحقوق والقوانين لأجل أن ينسى الناس الخيبات، أو لكي ينسوا مرارة ذلك الوحش المتغطرس المسمى بالحرب والذي يقوده نفس الإنسان الذي يحاول أن ينشر ويضلل الناس حول مسألة الحرب..
لا يهمني إن كانت ماتا هاري خاطئة في حياتها الخاصة أو لا، تلك المسألة يمكن مناقشتها من زواية أخرى، ولكن أن تتحول شهرتها الى أداة سياسية خبيثة لتزهق نفس بغير ما أكتسبت فتلك هي الفاجعة التي ينبغي أن يوقف في صفها طويلاً وأن تذرف كل دموع العالم من أجل برئ لم يكن يوماً سوى أداة مستضفعة في أيدي الساسة ورجال الحرب القذرين، وليست ماتا هاري هي النفس الوحيدة التي أزهقت في العالم لأجل بقاء سمعة أولئك المنحطين، بل هي مجرد نموذج بسيط وواضح من بين ربما الملايين الذين قتلوا وشردوا وأنتهكت كرامتهم وأزهقت حياتهم وكلهم في النهاية فداء لأصحاب الفخامة والصنم الذي يسمى الوطنية والشعارات البالية تلك..
لا أود الخوض في تفاصيل ونقد الرواية، سأركز في مراجعتي على هده الجزئية فقط المتعلقة بمقاربة الحرب من منظور إنساني وأرى أنها تحمل ثقل الرواية على كاهلها ، ولأجلها كتبت وكويلو ماهر دائماً في دس تلك الرسائل في قصص قد تبدو بعيدة بعض الشئ عن هدف الرواية الرئيسي، إنما تبقى غاية الرواية هي تمرير رسالة معينة بين جناح الرواية ..
أجل في الحرب تكون الكرامة هي آخر ما يمكن أن يحسب له حساب، والبرئ هو أول من يدفع الثمن وآخر من يلملم الجراح، في الحرب يقتل بعض الناس في سبيل كتم بعض الفضائح العسكرية ودفن بعض الخيبات وشغل الناس بقضايا تافهة وخلق قصص المؤامرات وحجب الحقائق بأكبر قدر ممكن وتعطيل العمل بكل الحقوق والقوانين لأجل أن ينسى الناس الخيبات، أو لكي ينسوا مرارة ذلك الوحش المتغطرس المسمى بالحرب والذي يقوده نفس الإنسان الذي يحاول أن ينشر ويضلل الناس حول مسألة الحرب..
لا يهمني إن كانت ماتا هاري خاطئة في حياتها الخاصة أو لا، تلك المسألة يمكن مناقشتها من زواية أخرى، ولكن أن تتحول شهرتها الى أداة سياسية خبيثة لتزهق نفس بغير ما أكتسبت فتلك هي الفاجعة التي ينبغي أن يوقف في صفها طويلاً وأن تذرف كل دموع العالم من أجل برئ لم يكن يوماً سوى أداة مستضفعة في أيدي الساسة ورجال الحرب القذرين، وليست ماتا هاري هي النفس الوحيدة التي أزهقت في العالم لأجل بقاء سمعة أولئك المنحطين، بل هي مجرد نموذج بسيط وواضح من بين ربما الملايين الذين قتلوا وشردوا وأنتهكت كرامتهم وأزهقت حياتهم وكلهم في النهاية فداء لأصحاب الفخامة والصنم الذي يسمى الوطنية والشعارات البالية تلك..
October 7, 2026
❞فكرتُ وتصرّفت طوال حياتي كماتا هاري، المرأة التي طالما أذهلت الرجال وستُذهلهم، التي طالما حسدتها النسوة وسيحسدنها.❝
تصنيف هذا العمل، في رأيي، "سيرة ذاتية" لـ ماتا هاري، تُروى من خلال رسائلها إلى محاميها، تخبرنا فيها عن حياتها، وعلاقاتها، وأسباب القبض عليها واتهامها بالتجسس على الفرنسيين لصالح الألمان إبان الحرب العالمية الأولى.
ارتكزت معظم الرسائل على علاقاتها المتعددة بذوي النفوذ والمناصب، وعكست صورة لماتا هاري كامرأة طامحة إلى الشهرة والحب والمال، أكثر من كونها تلك الجاسوسة الخطيرة التي صُوّرت بها.
❞الحبّ يقتلنا على حين غرّة، من دون أن يترك آثارًا للجريمة.❝
❞في الحرب، تكون كرامة الإنسان أولى الضحايا.❝
شعرت بالملل في أجزاء كثيرة من العمل، والسيرة نفسها لم تجذبني بالشكل الكافي، حتى إن اهتمامي بالقصة لم يكن نابعًا من الكتاب بقدر ما كان من رغبتي في معرفة حقيقة ماتا هاري، فوجدت نفسي أبحث عن أصل قصتها وأتحرى عنها أثناء القراءة.
أضاف باولو كويلو، على حد تعبيره في ختامية العمل، بعض الحوارات كي تكتمل الصورة، لكن أسلوبه ولغته كانا طاغيين على الرسائل، واعتقد لهذا السبب تم تصنيف العمل علي انه "رواية".
❞لم تكوني مجرّد شخص اتُّهِم بالجاسوسيّة فحسب، بل شخص تجرّأ على تحدّي أعراف معيّنة، وهو أمر يحول دون منحك المغفرة.❝
~تمت القراءة في أكتوبر 2026~
April 28, 2021
The book starts quite dramatically.
Liked the writing.
Liked the short chapters.
And I am glad the book is short. Because it's painful and traumatizing to read.
Trigger warnings for sexual assault, sexist remarks and too many graphic scenes.
As much as this story is trying to prove what the character does or say is right and whatever she had done with reasons known to her, I really do not want to support them and I find these reasons whatsoever really problematic.
The character was trying to escape a world of assault and dread. And she did choose for ways to escape. She got herself caught up in an abusive marriage in which she gets assaulted repeatedly. And the story is told from her perspective to prove herself - for what reason only she knows. And that too much descriptions of sexual assault are really not required I feel for such a short book.
It seems like more focus is given on the disturbing scenes rather than focusing on character development and the main plot.
I feel the character representation could have been much better. The writing for most part lack emotions. The characters turn out as rather pretentious and try too hard to be "respectable".
The entire story is too superficial and lacked depth.
One of my favourites:
"They're tulip seeds... These seeds will always be tulips, even if at the moment you cannot tell them apart from other flowers. They will never turn into roses or sunflowers, no matter how much they might desire. And if they try to deny their own existence, they will live life bitter and die."
The most disappointing part is that the title and the description made me get this book but the writing is rather boring and there is lack of any kind of plot or an interesting part for a book called "The Spy", fictionalised character presentation of a person who was thought to be a spy and who did so by seducing men through her beauty and charm.
The dialogues try too hard and it all came out as too desperate.
I wanted a story and not a mere book of quotes fitted here and there out of nowhere.
I won't recommend this book to anyone. We rather read up on the actual life of Mata Hari with whatever information is available about her.
I didn't gain anything out of this book except some philosophical quotes.
Liked the writing.
Liked the short chapters.
And I am glad the book is short. Because it's painful and traumatizing to read.
Trigger warnings for sexual assault, sexist remarks and too many graphic scenes.
As much as this story is trying to prove what the character does or say is right and whatever she had done with reasons known to her, I really do not want to support them and I find these reasons whatsoever really problematic.
The character was trying to escape a world of assault and dread. And she did choose for ways to escape. She got herself caught up in an abusive marriage in which she gets assaulted repeatedly. And the story is told from her perspective to prove herself - for what reason only she knows. And that too much descriptions of sexual assault are really not required I feel for such a short book.
It seems like more focus is given on the disturbing scenes rather than focusing on character development and the main plot.
I feel the character representation could have been much better. The writing for most part lack emotions. The characters turn out as rather pretentious and try too hard to be "respectable".
The entire story is too superficial and lacked depth.
One of my favourites:
"They're tulip seeds... These seeds will always be tulips, even if at the moment you cannot tell them apart from other flowers. They will never turn into roses or sunflowers, no matter how much they might desire. And if they try to deny their own existence, they will live life bitter and die."
The most disappointing part is that the title and the description made me get this book but the writing is rather boring and there is lack of any kind of plot or an interesting part for a book called "The Spy", fictionalised character presentation of a person who was thought to be a spy and who did so by seducing men through her beauty and charm.
The dialogues try too hard and it all came out as too desperate.
I wanted a story and not a mere book of quotes fitted here and there out of nowhere.
I won't recommend this book to anyone. We rather read up on the actual life of Mata Hari with whatever information is available about her.
I didn't gain anything out of this book except some philosophical quotes.
February 23, 2017
لا بأس .. ولكن من يقرأ الخيميائي أولا لا يستمتع بالجاسوسة
مع أنهما لباولو كويللو إلا أن الفرق واضح بين المزاجين
مع أنهما لباولو كويللو إلا أن الفرق واضح بين المزاجين
January 23, 2018
Ich weiß jetzt schon, dass dieses Buch ein Jahreshighlight 2018 wird !
January 29, 2017
رواية مخيبة للامال وكثيرة الفوضوية في الاحداث تجعلك تتمنى الانتهاء منها ولو لم أكن قد أعلنت بأنني ساقراءها لتركتها جانبا منذ لحضة ما قرأت سطرا او سطرين منها
عندما يقوم باولو بتمجيدالعهر لا تتوقع ان تقرا شيء يستحق ان يذكر
مراجعة الرواية عند الدقيقة 6:55 في الرابط
https://youtu.be/kVTEHz4itmw
عندما يقوم باولو بتمجيدالعهر لا تتوقع ان تقرا شيء يستحق ان يذكر
مراجعة الرواية عند الدقيقة 6:55 في الرابط
https://youtu.be/kVTEHz4itmw
November 2, 2022
الراقصة المومس والجاسوسة التي فتنت فرنسا والمانيا خلال الحرب العالمية الأولى وضاعت بينهم.
أمرأة طموحة تهوى الرقص والفروسية الذين تعلمتهما منذ شبابها.
وقعت في حبائل رجال الإستخبارات الفرنسية والألمانية ، في أوج الحرب العالمية الأولى والمواجهات العسكريًة.
هي ماتا هاري التي أطلق عليها العديد من الالقاب.
سمح باولو كويلو لنفسه بإعادة كتابة تاريخها على شكل سيرة ذاتية مٌتخيًلة ، تصوًر فيها وقائع وأحداث وشخصيات لم يتناقلها كتاب السير الذاتية المحققة والمثبته تاريخياً.
حيث بقيت سيرتها الحقيقية مدفونة أربعون عاماً بعد إعدامها ، ولم يعرف عنها شئ إلا حين رُفعت السريّة عن الكثير من مستندات الحرب.
باولو كويلو حاول أن يحقق مصيرها من خلال خياله المدمج بالحكمة والموهبة فمنحها شخصية أخرى غير الشخصية التاريخيّة المعروفة ، وأنا لا ألوم عليه ذلك لأن تلك وظيفة خيال الكاتب ، عدا في كتابة السير الذاتية والتاريخيّة التي تحتاج إلى سرد الحقيقة المجرّدة والواعية دون تجميل.
أجاب كويلو في محور رده على أسئلة أحد الصحفيين عندما سأله مالذي شعرت به عندما كتبت من وجهة نظر ماتا هاري ؟!.
فأجاب: أصبحت رفيقتي ليل نهار بينما كنت أقرأ عن الحقبة التي عاشت فيها ، وبدأت أشعر كيف تبرر تصرفاتها بالإستناد إلى ماكانت عليه.
"إن أجمل الأنغام في العالم تتحول إلى أمراً فظيعاً ، إذا كانت الأوتار غير مدوزنة".
أمرأة طموحة تهوى الرقص والفروسية الذين تعلمتهما منذ شبابها.
وقعت في حبائل رجال الإستخبارات الفرنسية والألمانية ، في أوج الحرب العالمية الأولى والمواجهات العسكريًة.
هي ماتا هاري التي أطلق عليها العديد من الالقاب.
سمح باولو كويلو لنفسه بإعادة كتابة تاريخها على شكل سيرة ذاتية مٌتخيًلة ، تصوًر فيها وقائع وأحداث وشخصيات لم يتناقلها كتاب السير الذاتية المحققة والمثبته تاريخياً.
حيث بقيت سيرتها الحقيقية مدفونة أربعون عاماً بعد إعدامها ، ولم يعرف عنها شئ إلا حين رُفعت السريّة عن الكثير من مستندات الحرب.
باولو كويلو حاول أن يحقق مصيرها من خلال خياله المدمج بالحكمة والموهبة فمنحها شخصية أخرى غير الشخصية التاريخيّة المعروفة ، وأنا لا ألوم عليه ذلك لأن تلك وظيفة خيال الكاتب ، عدا في كتابة السير الذاتية والتاريخيّة التي تحتاج إلى سرد الحقيقة المجرّدة والواعية دون تجميل.
أجاب كويلو في محور رده على أسئلة أحد الصحفيين عندما سأله مالذي شعرت به عندما كتبت من وجهة نظر ماتا هاري ؟!.
فأجاب: أصبحت رفيقتي ليل نهار بينما كنت أقرأ عن الحقبة التي عاشت فيها ، وبدأت أشعر كيف تبرر تصرفاتها بالإستناد إلى ماكانت عليه.
"إن أجمل الأنغام في العالم تتحول إلى أمراً فظيعاً ، إذا كانت الأوتار غير مدوزنة".
December 1, 2016
لا شيء جديد في ادب باولو ! العاهرة الشريفة
ها هو باولو من جديد يحول مفهوم الزنا والعهر الى مهنة الشرف ، أشياء بنظره تستحق الاحترام وما وراء اللجوء الى هذا العالم الكثير من الجرأة والثقة .
احداث الرواية حقيقية ، فتدور خلال الحرب العالمية الاولى ببطلتها (ماتا هاري) ، جل ما فعلته في حياتها كان عبارة عن هز جسدها بفظاعة والتعري من دون لمسة فن واحد أو ايحاء!
هي مجرد امراة فاتنة وجميلة تتعرى في العلن تحت ذريعة فنية ما لم افهمها . بحق السماء يا باولو اين الفن بهذا ؟
أعدمت ماتا هاري رميا بالرصاص ، فاتهمت باستغلال استقبال الفرنسيين لها في بلدهم لتخونهم على مدى أعوام . وكان مجلس الحرب الثالث في باريس قد حكم عليها بالاعدام بتهمة الجاسوسية والأعمال الاستخباراتية لصالح العدو .لكنها بريئة . انتسبت اليها هذه التهمة في أعقاب مخالطتها للأوساط السياسية والعسكرية في برلين .
منذ أن شنت ألمانيا الحرب على فرنسا تواجدت ماتا هاري خارج الأراضي الفرنسية مع أشخاص عدة عالية المقام بهدف العهر وممارسة الرخص . فكان مصيرها الاعدام بتهمة اخرى !
لا انكر ان باولو عبقري بتسلسل الاحداث وببراعة الشخصيات . بل أنه ذكي جدا حينما تناول قضية ماتا هاري . لكنني سئمت اسلوبه المتكرر
أكاد اجزم أنها اخر رواية سأقرأها لهذا الباولو !
ها هو باولو من جديد يحول مفهوم الزنا والعهر الى مهنة الشرف ، أشياء بنظره تستحق الاحترام وما وراء اللجوء الى هذا العالم الكثير من الجرأة والثقة .
احداث الرواية حقيقية ، فتدور خلال الحرب العالمية الاولى ببطلتها (ماتا هاري) ، جل ما فعلته في حياتها كان عبارة عن هز جسدها بفظاعة والتعري من دون لمسة فن واحد أو ايحاء!
هي مجرد امراة فاتنة وجميلة تتعرى في العلن تحت ذريعة فنية ما لم افهمها . بحق السماء يا باولو اين الفن بهذا ؟
أعدمت ماتا هاري رميا بالرصاص ، فاتهمت باستغلال استقبال الفرنسيين لها في بلدهم لتخونهم على مدى أعوام . وكان مجلس الحرب الثالث في باريس قد حكم عليها بالاعدام بتهمة الجاسوسية والأعمال الاستخباراتية لصالح العدو .لكنها بريئة . انتسبت اليها هذه التهمة في أعقاب مخالطتها للأوساط السياسية والعسكرية في برلين .
منذ أن شنت ألمانيا الحرب على فرنسا تواجدت ماتا هاري خارج الأراضي الفرنسية مع أشخاص عدة عالية المقام بهدف العهر وممارسة الرخص . فكان مصيرها الاعدام بتهمة اخرى !
لا انكر ان باولو عبقري بتسلسل الاحداث وببراعة الشخصيات . بل أنه ذكي جدا حينما تناول قضية ماتا هاري . لكنني سئمت اسلوبه المتكرر
أكاد اجزم أنها اخر رواية سأقرأها لهذا الباولو !
February 6, 2018
تنبيه من الآن هذه الرواية لا علاقة لها لا بالجواسيس و لا المانيا و لا حرب العالمية الثانية.
لكل من كان يشبهني و شده العنوان و طبعا ذكر كلمة السحرية عندي الحرب العالمية و المانيا.
هذه الرواية بعيد كل بعد عن ذلك.
من آخر كده على قولة مصريين هذه الرواية عن راقصة استغلت مفاتنها للإثبات ذاتها.على قولة الراوئي.
... إذا كان الرقص او السفر من المكان الى المكان من اجل الرقص
. ذكر عارض لالمانيا في اطار حفلة راقصة
و إتهامها باطلا كما اعترفت هي حين القي قبض عليها.
: " انها تمارس الجوسسة كانت ترقص فحسب."
فهذه الرواية هي عبارة عن مذكرتها و هي تنتظر عقوبة إعدام.
فهما شيئان لا ثالث لهما.
ام انني قرات الرواية الخطأ و هذا مستحيل.
او ان الرواي اراد فقط كتابة عنوان و مقدمة على كتاب شئ و محتوى شئ آخر و هذا هو اصح..
هذا ضرب من تحيل و الخداع.
لكل من كان يشبهني و شده العنوان و طبعا ذكر كلمة السحرية عندي الحرب العالمية و المانيا.
هذه الرواية بعيد كل بعد عن ذلك.
من آخر كده على قولة مصريين هذه الرواية عن راقصة استغلت مفاتنها للإثبات ذاتها.على قولة الراوئي.
... إذا كان الرقص او السفر من المكان الى المكان من اجل الرقص
. ذكر عارض لالمانيا في اطار حفلة راقصة
و إتهامها باطلا كما اعترفت هي حين القي قبض عليها.
: " انها تمارس الجوسسة كانت ترقص فحسب."
فهذه الرواية هي عبارة عن مذكرتها و هي تنتظر عقوبة إعدام.
فهما شيئان لا ثالث لهما.
ام انني قرات الرواية الخطأ و هذا مستحيل.
او ان الرواي اراد فقط كتابة عنوان و مقدمة على كتاب شئ و محتوى شئ آخر و هذا هو اصح..
هذا ضرب من تحيل و الخداع.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 20, 2016
“Death is nothing, nor life either, for that matter. To die, to sleep, to pass into nothingness, what does it matter? Everything is an illusion.”
----Mata Hari
Paulo Coelho, the international bestselling author, pens a gripping and part fictional tale on the life of a legendary dancer cum falsely accused as a spy, Mata Hari in his new novel, The Spy that opens with the execution of this exotic and talented dancer by the French, but then the author spins a riveting autobiographical account of the dancer's life through a fictional letter penned by the dancer herself addressing to her lawyer. She is an epitome of grace, individuality, extravagant lifestyle, exquisite and unique fashion style, independence and her erotic dance moves in the early 20th century in Paris.
Synopsis:
In his new novel, Paulo Coelho, best-selling author of The Alchemist and Adultery, brings to life one of history's most enigmatic women: Mata Hari.
HER ONLY CRIME WAS TO BE AN INDEPENDENT WOMAN
When Mata Hari arrived in Paris she was penniless. Within months she was the most celebrated woman in the city.
As a dancer, she shocked and delighted audiences; as a courtesan, she bewitched the era’s richest and most powerful men.
But as paranoia consumed a country at war, Mata Hari’s lifestyle brought her under suspicion. In 1917, she was arrested in her hotel room on the Champs Elysees, and accused of espionage.
Told in Mata Hari’s voice through her final letter, The Spy is the unforgettable story of a woman who dared to defy convention and who paid the ultimate price.
Margaretha Zelle, a Dutch girl born into a middle class family in Holland, but in her high school she gets raped by the school principal and after her parents' divorce, she moves with an uncle to get teacher's training in order to work as a teacher in a kindergarten. One fine day, she replies to a matrimonial ad in the newspaper for an army man looking for a wife, and within three months of meeting the man, she gets married to that army personnel and moves to Indonesia, but sadly her life turns tragic as she soon becomes 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 with promise and strength to leave her husband. She makes her way to Paris, where her talent of dancing is spotted by a wealthy man, who gives her the opportunity to showcase her talent in the opening of his museum. And within few months she reaches the top as she performs in one lavish party to another posh hotel auditorium, until she becomes a household name in all of Paris. Her exquisite taste for fashion earned her the hearts of many wealthy men from bankers to industrialists who only provided extravagance lifestyle for her, but she had little idea about the approaching war in the background. Soon she gets caught up in the crossfire of the war, as she is asked to work as a German spy, but after traveling back to Paris from Berlin, she works as a double agent from the France government, and within months, she is arrested by the French officials who threw her up in the prison, finally meeting her inevitable end of execution by the French in Paris, the city where she became Mata Hari.
The author has resurrected this remarkarble and legendary dancer and spy through this book, although he fails to explore into the depth of the great persona of Mata Hari thereby leaving her an incomplete portrait of her. The historical facts accurately syncs with the story line, and it proves that the author has done his research thoroughly. Not only that the readers will be carried away to that world before the Great War in Paris where glitters, extravaganza and exquisite artistic qualities gave a definition to the then Paris. The author strikingly captures the backdrop and the readers will be bound to time travel top that era when everything shimmered golden and people were defined by their rich tastes in art, music and dance. From the clothes to the food to the streets to the hotels to everything depicted that French flair that the author has managed to portray through the tale of Mata Hari.
The author's writing is okay and not that great unlike his previous books, although the writing is laced with way too historical facts and less emotions, that will be difficult for the readers to contemplate with the story line. The narrative is lucid laced with the aristocratic flair that sync well with the demeanor of the central character. The pacing is really fast, but that does not support a biographical book like this one, as it lacked depth thoroughly.
The character development is not that good, although the readers will get a thorough and vivid look into the life and style of Mata Hari, the woman who was accused as a spy based on meager evidence. In one word, Mata Hari's life is painful and sad even though she drowned herself in an exorbitant means of life, always found in the arms of her wealthy married men, and her indifference to the war became her enemy. Mata Hari was a daughter, lover, wife and a hopeless mother who could not save her children from the wrath of the her husband's enemies. Her beauty and grace is the only thing that comes first into the minds when people remember her name, and not to mention her boldness from stripping her clothes while dancing Java-nese dance style.
In a nutshell, this accurate autobiographical story penned by Coelho is highly compelling and enlightening enough to give the readers a taste of the notorious dancer and spy of the twentieth century, Mata Hari.
Verdict: Vivid, bright and colorful account of Mata Hari's life but alas it lacks depth.
----Mata Hari
Paulo Coelho, the international bestselling author, pens a gripping and part fictional tale on the life of a legendary dancer cum falsely accused as a spy, Mata Hari in his new novel, The Spy that opens with the execution of this exotic and talented dancer by the French, but then the author spins a riveting autobiographical account of the dancer's life through a fictional letter penned by the dancer herself addressing to her lawyer. She is an epitome of grace, individuality, extravagant lifestyle, exquisite and unique fashion style, independence and her erotic dance moves in the early 20th century in Paris.
Synopsis:
In his new novel, Paulo Coelho, best-selling author of The Alchemist and Adultery, brings to life one of history's most enigmatic women: Mata Hari.
HER ONLY CRIME WAS TO BE AN INDEPENDENT WOMAN
When Mata Hari arrived in Paris she was penniless. Within months she was the most celebrated woman in the city.
As a dancer, she shocked and delighted audiences; as a courtesan, she bewitched the era’s richest and most powerful men.
But as paranoia consumed a country at war, Mata Hari’s lifestyle brought her under suspicion. In 1917, she was arrested in her hotel room on the Champs Elysees, and accused of espionage.
Told in Mata Hari’s voice through her final letter, The Spy is the unforgettable story of a woman who dared to defy convention and who paid the ultimate price.
Margaretha Zelle, a Dutch girl born into a middle class family in Holland, but in her high school she gets raped by the school principal and after her parents' divorce, she moves with an uncle to get teacher's training in order to work as a teacher in a kindergarten. One fine day, she replies to a matrimonial ad in the newspaper for an army man looking for a wife, and within three months of meeting the man, she gets married to that army personnel and moves to Indonesia, but sadly her life turns tragic as she soon becomes 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 with promise and strength to leave her husband. She makes her way to Paris, where her talent of dancing is spotted by a wealthy man, who gives her the opportunity to showcase her talent in the opening of his museum. And within few months she reaches the top as she performs in one lavish party to another posh hotel auditorium, until she becomes a household name in all of Paris. Her exquisite taste for fashion earned her the hearts of many wealthy men from bankers to industrialists who only provided extravagance lifestyle for her, but she had little idea about the approaching war in the background. Soon she gets caught up in the crossfire of the war, as she is asked to work as a German spy, but after traveling back to Paris from Berlin, she works as a double agent from the France government, and within months, she is arrested by the French officials who threw her up in the prison, finally meeting her inevitable end of execution by the French in Paris, the city where she became Mata Hari.
The author has resurrected this remarkarble and legendary dancer and spy through this book, although he fails to explore into the depth of the great persona of Mata Hari thereby leaving her an incomplete portrait of her. The historical facts accurately syncs with the story line, and it proves that the author has done his research thoroughly. Not only that the readers will be carried away to that world before the Great War in Paris where glitters, extravaganza and exquisite artistic qualities gave a definition to the then Paris. The author strikingly captures the backdrop and the readers will be bound to time travel top that era when everything shimmered golden and people were defined by their rich tastes in art, music and dance. From the clothes to the food to the streets to the hotels to everything depicted that French flair that the author has managed to portray through the tale of Mata Hari.
The author's writing is okay and not that great unlike his previous books, although the writing is laced with way too historical facts and less emotions, that will be difficult for the readers to contemplate with the story line. The narrative is lucid laced with the aristocratic flair that sync well with the demeanor of the central character. The pacing is really fast, but that does not support a biographical book like this one, as it lacked depth thoroughly.
The character development is not that good, although the readers will get a thorough and vivid look into the life and style of Mata Hari, the woman who was accused as a spy based on meager evidence. In one word, Mata Hari's life is painful and sad even though she drowned herself in an exorbitant means of life, always found in the arms of her wealthy married men, and her indifference to the war became her enemy. Mata Hari was a daughter, lover, wife and a hopeless mother who could not save her children from the wrath of the her husband's enemies. Her beauty and grace is the only thing that comes first into the minds when people remember her name, and not to mention her boldness from stripping her clothes while dancing Java-nese dance style.
In a nutshell, this accurate autobiographical story penned by Coelho is highly compelling and enlightening enough to give the readers a taste of the notorious dancer and spy of the twentieth century, Mata Hari.
Verdict: Vivid, bright and colorful account of Mata Hari's life but alas it lacks depth.
March 19, 2017
HER ONLY CRIME WAS TO BE AN INDEPENDENT WOMAN
Margaretha Zelle, aka Mata Hari, was a famous "exotic" dancer who shocked and dazzled audiences; as a prostitute, she entertained the most richest and powerful men.
But unfortunately this lifestyle also brought her under suspicion. In 1917, Mata Hari was arrested in Paris, and accused of espionage. She then was put on trial and executed for treason, and in all likelihood was innocent.
Mata Hari would be considered a feminist hero in today's world, a woman who overcame a difficult childhood-raped at 16 by her headmaster at school, escaped an abusive marriage, and suffered the loss of her infant son-who was poisoned, to revamp herself as an artist who clearly made a name for herself.
This short novel left me wanting to learn more about Mata Hari, a woman who lived outside-the-box, even if it ultimately cost her her life.
Innocent? Perhaps that is not the right word. I was never innocent, not since I first set foot in this city I love so dearly. I thought I could manipulate those who wanted state secrets. I thought the Germans, French, English, Spanish would never be able to resist me—and yet, in the end, I was the one manipulated. The crimes I did commit, I escaped, the greatest of which was being an emancipated and independent woman in a world ruled by men.
Margaretha Zelle, aka Mata Hari, was a famous "exotic" dancer who shocked and dazzled audiences; as a prostitute, she entertained the most richest and powerful men.
But unfortunately this lifestyle also brought her under suspicion. In 1917, Mata Hari was arrested in Paris, and accused of espionage. She then was put on trial and executed for treason, and in all likelihood was innocent.
Mata Hari would be considered a feminist hero in today's world, a woman who overcame a difficult childhood-raped at 16 by her headmaster at school, escaped an abusive marriage, and suffered the loss of her infant son-who was poisoned, to revamp herself as an artist who clearly made a name for herself.
This short novel left me wanting to learn more about Mata Hari, a woman who lived outside-the-box, even if it ultimately cost her her life.
Innocent? Perhaps that is not the right word. I was never innocent, not since I first set foot in this city I love so dearly. I thought I could manipulate those who wanted state secrets. I thought the Germans, French, English, Spanish would never be able to resist me—and yet, in the end, I was the one manipulated. The crimes I did commit, I escaped, the greatest of which was being an emancipated and independent woman in a world ruled by men.
October 22, 2016
Finally a solid read! This one was short enough where I started this morning and was able to finish it this afternoon. Fascinating story of Mata Hari. Basically, the woman was executed for being considered a double agent but on such flimsy evidence that her execution was seemingly to save the asses and protect the reputation of the powerful men she slept with. A woman that once again rang that tired old bell "I was born at the wrong time." When will it ever be the right time for women to be born? Mata Hari was persecuted for having the gall to want to live a free and independent life. This was an interesting story told in letters - ones by Mata Hari and her lawyer that failed to get clemency for her.
Did you know the custom was to cut the head off and hand it over to government representatives? Her head was kept in the Anatomy Museum in Paris until one day in 2000 (!!) they discovered it had been stolen.
Did you know the custom was to cut the head off and hand it over to government representatives? Her head was kept in the Anatomy Museum in Paris until one day in 2000 (!!) they discovered it had been stolen.
March 3, 2017
I was disappointed in this book considering that the Brazilian author is Paulo Coelho, which is why I wanted to read it. My knowledge of the dancer and famous spy, Mati Hari, is still scarce after reading the book. I felt that the author "phoned it in" and it felt superficial and thin. Mati Hari was a Dutch exotic dancer and mistress to powerful men (both French and German) who was convicted of being a spy for the Germans in World War 1. She was found guilty and shot to death by a firing squad in 1917. It would have been helpful to this reader if Mr. Coelho had done substantial research on both the times that Mati Hari lived in as well as the people she knew. He very lightly touches on her family and upbringing as well as her first marriage. He does not go into her only surviving daughter's life. I am confused as to why he choose to write about a subject that he seems to not find very compelling. His readers deserved better.
January 9, 2018
Utterly heartbreaking story. Wonderfully told (Paulo Coelho is a master of the written word) and just so incredibly sad to read. Mata Hari's voice speaks through the pages eloquently, passionately and sensually. I really enjoyed this... no, in fact I loved it. I highly, HIGHLY recommend it to anyone who is interested in Mata Hari's life.
March 6, 2017
শাহরুখ খানের মুখে পাওলো কোয়েলহো এর এই বইটা ধরে রাখতে দেখে আগ্রহ হয়েছিল ভীষণ। খোঁজ নিয়ে জানতে পারি, ওলন্দাজ নর্তকী / গুপ্তচর(?) মাতা হারি'র জীবন নিয়ে রচিত এই উপন্যাস। এর আগে কখনো মাতা হারির নাম শুনিনি, কিন্তু গুগল করে যতটুকু জানলাম বেশ ইন্টেরেস্টিং মনে হয়েছিল।
অনেকখানি রিসার্চ আর কিছুটা কল্পনাশক্তির মিশেলে রচিত হয়েছে "দ্য স্পাই"। মাতা হারির জীবনের নাটকীয় উত্থান পতনের গল্পই লেখক বুনেছেন কাব্যিক ঢঙে। কিন্তু বইটা শেষ করে জানার আগ্রহটা মিটলো না, মনে হলো বরফ চূড়ার কেবল ওপর ওপর দিয়েই হেঁটে গেলেন লেখক। মাতা হারির ক্যারেক্টার ডেভেলপমেন্টও একটু হতাশাজনক, পাঠকদের কাছ থেকে কেমন যেন একটা দূরত্ব বজায় ছিল সবসময়। জানি না, এমনটাই চেয়েছিলেন কিনা লেখক, কিন্তু মিশতে পারিনি। তবে শেষ করার পর একটা আবেশ ধরে রেখেছিল বেশ খানিকটা সময়।
এবার আসি অনুবাদ প্রসংগে, এক কথায়- দুর্দান্ত। এর চেয়ে বেটার হতে পারতো না, রাফি ভাইকে সাধুবাদ জানাই। এরকম ভাষাশৈলীর একটা বইকে উপযুক্ত কাব্যিকতা আর গাম্ভীর্য বজায় রেখে অনুবাদ চাট্টিখানি কথা নয়। দারুণ!
অনেকখানি রিসার্চ আর কিছুটা কল্পনাশক্তির মিশেলে রচিত হয়েছে "দ্য স্পাই"। মাতা হারির জীবনের নাটকীয় উত্থান পতনের গল্পই লেখক বুনেছেন কাব্যিক ঢঙে। কিন্তু বইটা শেষ করে জানার আগ্রহটা মিটলো না, মনে হলো বরফ চূড়ার কেবল ওপর ওপর দিয়েই হেঁটে গেলেন লেখক। মাতা হারির ক্যারেক্টার ডেভেলপমেন্টও একটু হতাশাজনক, পাঠকদের কাছ থেকে কেমন যেন একটা দূরত্ব বজায় ছিল সবসময়। জানি না, এমনটাই চেয়েছিলেন কিনা লেখক, কিন্তু মিশতে পারিনি। তবে শেষ করার পর একটা আবেশ ধরে রেখেছিল বেশ খানিকটা সময়।
এবার আসি অনুবাদ প্রসংগে, এক কথায়- দুর্দান্ত। এর চেয়ে বেটার হতে পারতো না, রাফি ভাইকে সাধুবাদ জানাই। এরকম ভাষাশৈলীর একটা বইকে উপযুক্ত কাব্যিকতা আর গাম্ভীর্য বজায় রেখে অনুবাদ চাট্টিখানি কথা নয়। দারুণ!
August 23, 2018
هذه الكتاب انا اعتبره سيرة ذاتية اكثر من رواية, باولو كويلو حسب راي الشخصي وفق في كتابة السيرة الذاتية للشخصية "هاري ماتا" وكتبه لنا باسلوبه الجميل كالعادة في كتبه من قبل وكتبه باسلوب جميل.
صحيح انه لربما لم يكون بسمتوى كتب البقية لباولو ولكن يجب ان لا نظلم كتاب لان هذه يعتبر سيرة ذاتية اكثر من رواية.
وكعادته باولو كويلو ناصر حقوق المرأة في كتابه واخرجها بصورة جميلة ودافع عنه بصورة لائقة على رغم حقيقية الشخصية التي هي غامضة الى الان.
وبهذا اكملت جميع كتب باولو كويلو الـ 17 المترجمة للعربية الى الان.
This book is considered a biography more than a novel, Paulo Coelho according to my personal opinion according to the biography of the character "Harry Mata" and wrote us in his beautiful style as usual in his books and written in a beautiful style.
It is true that perhaps Basmati did not write the rest for Paulo, but we should not dismiss a book because this is a biography more than a novel.
Like Paulo Coelho, Nasser has the rights of women in his book, and has beautifully produced and defended him in a dignified manner despite the reality of the character that is so far mysterious.
This completes all 17 books of Paulo Coelho translated to Arabic so far.
صحيح انه لربما لم يكون بسمتوى كتب البقية لباولو ولكن يجب ان لا نظلم كتاب لان هذه يعتبر سيرة ذاتية اكثر من رواية.
وكعادته باولو كويلو ناصر حقوق المرأة في كتابه واخرجها بصورة جميلة ودافع عنه بصورة لائقة على رغم حقيقية الشخصية التي هي غامضة الى الان.
وبهذا اكملت جميع كتب باولو كويلو الـ 17 المترجمة للعربية الى الان.
This book is considered a biography more than a novel, Paulo Coelho according to my personal opinion according to the biography of the character "Harry Mata" and wrote us in his beautiful style as usual in his books and written in a beautiful style.
It is true that perhaps Basmati did not write the rest for Paulo, but we should not dismiss a book because this is a biography more than a novel.
Like Paulo Coelho, Nasser has the rights of women in his book, and has beautifully produced and defended him in a dignified manner despite the reality of the character that is so far mysterious.
This completes all 17 books of Paulo Coelho translated to Arabic so far.
March 21, 2018
This review is for the audio version of “The Spy” written by Paulo Coelho, narrated by Hillary Huber and Paul Boehmer, and published by Random House Audio.
I continue to read Paulo Coelho books thinking I’ll like them. I choose them because they are so small and therefore I assume they will be easy to read. I also choose them because I hear nothing but good things about Mr. Coelho, especially about how his novels are poignant, well-loved and world-renowned. This exact trap suckered me in when I read “The Alchemist” also.
“The Spy” tells the true story of Mata Hari, the exotic dancer, courtesan and accused spy, who was placed on trial and hung for treason in the early 20th century. Mata Hari explains her part in the story through a letter while sitting in her jail cell awaiting her fate. She writes in detail of the famous men who were her lovers, the powerful men who manipulated her, and the women who, in equal parts, worshipped and envied her.
Audio: 4 stars Both Hillary Huber and Paul Boehmer narrate the story with passion and enthusiasm. Eloquent speakers both, they tell the story in their clear, accented voices. Hillary narrates the story as Mata Hari, while Paul (who doesn’t make an appearance until the very end of the story) narrates from the perspective of Mata Hari’s lawyer and friend. Each narrator having one character to narrate made the audio ridiculously easy to follow however both narrators had such a soothing voice and calming diction that, combined with the dull storyline, I very nearly fell asleep behind the wheel.
Story: 2 stars This story had a fantastic beginning. I was drawn in immediately as Mata is taken from her jail cell to her execution, desperate to know the story of how she got there and what led her to face the executioner’s. This lasted for a few minutes, than I was quickly bored and disinterested.
Mata Hari is an exceptionally powerful female character, full of conviction and bravery and the story she tells is unique. However, her many torrid affairs with men (too innumerable to keep track of) that had no relevance as the story continued on, was just part of the reason I had difficulty following the storyline. One minute, she was with one lover, and the next she would be in another country with another. It was difficult to follow Mata Hari’s travels, and to keep track of her many conquests, and the purposes for them (as every lover fulfilled a self-serving goal of Mata’s) .
Mata has a child in this novel (in fact, she has two) and not only is the death of her son glazed over, but Mata barely mentions her daughter at all. She makes comments about leaving letters for her daughter, and that her daughter has a picture of her, but not once does she show the maternal affection you would expect. I would have loved to have these relationships delved into more, especially the horrible murder of her son. It was barely discussed in the novel, and was not nearly given the importance that (I hope) it would have actually had in Mata’s life.
This story’s slow moving pace and lack of storyline made it difficult to stay engaged. With the narrator’s soothing voices, I almost fell asleep and drove my car off the road. I know Coelho is supposed to be life-altering and poignant (and he did have a few quotes which caught my eye) , so I assume I am in the minority when I say that this novel did not do it for me (and I am okay with that).
I continue to read Paulo Coelho books thinking I’ll like them. I choose them because they are so small and therefore I assume they will be easy to read. I also choose them because I hear nothing but good things about Mr. Coelho, especially about how his novels are poignant, well-loved and world-renowned. This exact trap suckered me in when I read “The Alchemist” also.
“The Spy” tells the true story of Mata Hari, the exotic dancer, courtesan and accused spy, who was placed on trial and hung for treason in the early 20th century. Mata Hari explains her part in the story through a letter while sitting in her jail cell awaiting her fate. She writes in detail of the famous men who were her lovers, the powerful men who manipulated her, and the women who, in equal parts, worshipped and envied her.
Audio: 4 stars Both Hillary Huber and Paul Boehmer narrate the story with passion and enthusiasm. Eloquent speakers both, they tell the story in their clear, accented voices. Hillary narrates the story as Mata Hari, while Paul (who doesn’t make an appearance until the very end of the story) narrates from the perspective of Mata Hari’s lawyer and friend. Each narrator having one character to narrate made the audio ridiculously easy to follow however both narrators had such a soothing voice and calming diction that, combined with the dull storyline, I very nearly fell asleep behind the wheel.
Story: 2 stars This story had a fantastic beginning. I was drawn in immediately as Mata is taken from her jail cell to her execution, desperate to know the story of how she got there and what led her to face the executioner’s. This lasted for a few minutes, than I was quickly bored and disinterested.
Mata Hari is an exceptionally powerful female character, full of conviction and bravery and the story she tells is unique. However, her many torrid affairs with men (too innumerable to keep track of) that had no relevance as the story continued on, was just part of the reason I had difficulty following the storyline. One minute, she was with one lover, and the next she would be in another country with another. It was difficult to follow Mata Hari’s travels, and to keep track of her many conquests, and the purposes for them (as every lover fulfilled a self-serving goal of Mata’s) .
Mata has a child in this novel (in fact, she has two) and not only is the death of her son glazed over, but Mata barely mentions her daughter at all. She makes comments about leaving letters for her daughter, and that her daughter has a picture of her, but not once does she show the maternal affection you would expect. I would have loved to have these relationships delved into more, especially the horrible murder of her son. It was barely discussed in the novel, and was not nearly given the importance that (I hope) it would have actually had in Mata’s life.
This story’s slow moving pace and lack of storyline made it difficult to stay engaged. With the narrator’s soothing voices, I almost fell asleep and drove my car off the road. I know Coelho is supposed to be life-altering and poignant (and he did have a few quotes which caught my eye) , so I assume I am in the minority when I say that this novel did not do it for me (and I am okay with that).
December 23, 2025
یک جای کتاب به یک واژهی یونانی اشاره میشه ، متانویا.
متانویا یعنی توبه، پشیمانی و اعتراف به گناهه و گاهی به معنی فراتر رفتن از دانستهها و روبرویی با ناشناختهها هم تعبیر میشه و کارکتر ماتا هاری دقیقا معنای دوم این واژه بود.
نمیتونم تصور کنم که چطور یک زن در اوایل قرن ۲۰ اینقدر جسارت داشته که اینقدر هنجار بشکونه و چقدر روح رها و مستقلی داشته که در جامعه مردسالار اون موقع بتونه اینقدر پیش بره، و در نهایت هم قربانی همین سیاست مردسالارانه و بازیهای سیاسی شد.
متانویا یعنی توبه، پشیمانی و اعتراف به گناهه و گاهی به معنی فراتر رفتن از دانستهها و روبرویی با ناشناختهها هم تعبیر میشه و کارکتر ماتا هاری دقیقا معنای دوم این واژه بود.
نمیتونم تصور کنم که چطور یک زن در اوایل قرن ۲۰ اینقدر جسارت داشته که اینقدر هنجار بشکونه و چقدر روح رها و مستقلی داشته که در جامعه مردسالار اون موقع بتونه اینقدر پیش بره، و در نهایت هم قربانی همین سیاست مردسالارانه و بازیهای سیاسی شد.
September 9, 2023
خوانش برای بار دوم و با ترجمه مریم کلوری از نشر تاو
این ترجمه بهتر از ترجمه قبلی از اعظم خرام نشر پارسه بود ولی مشکلات خودش را داشت
از نظر من داستان اصلا انسجام نداشت. بسیاری از پرسشهای ایجاد شده در نهایت بدون جواب ماند. شخصیتهای کتاب بدون هیچ پرداختی معرفی شده بودند
به علت تیغ سانسور با وجود عدم تسلطم به زبان انگلیسی مجبور شدم کتاب را با متن انگلیسی هم چک کنم و در نهایت نفهمیدم که چرا مترجم این نسخه ای که من خواندم حتی از آوردن اسامی هم در برخی صفحات کتاب خودداری کرده بود. مثل نام هتل یا نام نمایش و غیره
فکر می کنم فقط نام نویسنده باعث شده که این کتاب توسط چندین مترجم و ناشر چاپ بشه بدون توجه به جذابیتش
این ترجمه بهتر از ترجمه قبلی از اعظم خرام نشر پارسه بود ولی مشکلات خودش را داشت
از نظر من داستان اصلا انسجام نداشت. بسیاری از پرسشهای ایجاد شده در نهایت بدون جواب ماند. شخصیتهای کتاب بدون هیچ پرداختی معرفی شده بودند
به علت تیغ سانسور با وجود عدم تسلطم به زبان انگلیسی مجبور شدم کتاب را با متن انگلیسی هم چک کنم و در نهایت نفهمیدم که چرا مترجم این نسخه ای که من خواندم حتی از آوردن اسامی هم در برخی صفحات کتاب خودداری کرده بود. مثل نام هتل یا نام نمایش و غیره
فکر می کنم فقط نام نویسنده باعث شده که این کتاب توسط چندین مترجم و ناشر چاپ بشه بدون توجه به جذابیتش
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