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The Spy

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( 44,013 ratings, 4,101 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Spy by Paulo Coelho is a gripping historical fiction novel that delves into the life of Mata Hari, the famous exotic dancer and accused double agent during World War I. The book explores her rise to fame and the complex circumstances that led to her trial, offering insights into her enigmatic character and the turbulent times she lived in. Coelho portrays her as a symbol of feminine strength and independence, challenging societal norms.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This novel may appeal to you if you are captivated by historical fiction and the enigmatic life of Mata Hari, one of history's most notorious spies. It offers an intriguing blend of glamour, mystery, and a deep exploration of identity and survival during turbulent times. Paulo Coelho's storytelling beautifully weaves fact and fiction, creating a mesmerizing tale of a woman's quest for freedom and recognition.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

When Mata Hari arrived in Paris, she was penniless. Soon she was fêted as the most elegant woman in the city.

A dancer who shocked and delighted audiences, as a confidante and 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 through Mata Hari's final letter, The Spy is the unforgettable story of a woman who dared to break the conventions of her time, and paid the price.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Spy by Paulo Coelho receives praise for its evocative prose and historical insights, capturing the life and fate of Mata Hari, a dancer turned spy during World War I. Readers appreciate Coelho's exploration of her complex character and the societal constraints faced by women. Some critiques mention a desire for deeper narrative depth, but the book is noted for its lyrical storytelling and thought-provoking themes.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780143788171

Publisher: Penguin Random House Australia

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 31 July 2017

Country: Australia

Imprint: Penguin Random House Australia

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 20.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 197.0mm

Weight: 145g

Pages: 208

About the Author

Paulo Coelho's life remains the primary source of inspiration for his books. He has flirted with death, escaped madness, dallied with drugs, withstood torture, experimented with magic and alchemy, studied philosophy and religion, read voraciously, lost and recovered his faith, and experienced the pain and pleasure of love. In searching for his own place in the world, he has discovered answers for the challenges that everyone faces. He believes that, within ourselves, we have the necessary strength to find our own destiny. His most recent novel Adultery was a worldwide bestseller, and his 1988 novel The Alchemist has sold more than 65 million copies and been cited as an inspiration by people as diverse as Malala Yousafzai and Pharrell Williams. Paulo Coelho has sold more than 200 million books worldwide. His work is published in eighty-one languages and he is the most translated living author in the world.

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