by Paulo Coelho
First published 2016
Mata Hari sits in her prison cell in 1917, composing what she knows will be her last letter. Once penniless upon arriving in Paris, she became the city's most famous dancer and courtesan within months. Her performances scandalized and captivated audiences while she enchanted wealthy and influential men. But war breeds suspicion, and her unconventional lifestyle made her a target. French authorities arrested her at her Champs Elysees hotel, charging her with espionage against France. Now facing execution, she reflects on her rise and fall. Through her own voice, she tells the story of a woman who refused to conform to society's expectations. Paulo Coelho transforms the legendary figure into a flesh and blood woman confronting her final hours. This is the tale of someone who chose independence over safety and paid with her life.
Genres: literary-fiction, historical-fiction, 20th-century, espionage
Vibes: emotional, intimate, suspenseful
Tropes: based-on-true-story, historical-figure, unreliable-narrator
Setting: Paris, Champs Elysees
Period: 1917
208 pages · Hardcover · Knopf
Content warnings: death, war