In October of 1917, Dutch woman Mata Hari, whose real name is Margaretha Zelle, is in a prison cell in Paris, charged for espionage for the Germans during World War I. As she awaits her trial, she recounts her life to Sister Leonide, including her childhood in the Netherlands, her first marriage, the relocation to Java, her children, her numerous affairs, and most importantly her transformation to the legendary exotic dancer Mata Hari, which literally means “Eye of the Day” in Javanese.

Whether Mata Hari was innocent or guilty, in my view she invited all the troubles into her life by herself. Additionally, she had too many secrets (and slept with too many men of different countries). I don’t have any sympathy for her, and I would not trust her, but the book is not about her guilt, but rather about her unfortunate time and glamorous life.

After reading the book, some readers may see her as a lonely woman who just wanted attention and happiness. I see Mata Hari as a wicked and cunning woman who knew how to network with influential people and socialites, and climbed up the social status ladder with her seductive beauty. However, I must admit, she was good at what she did, and she was a damn good manipulative and narcissistic liar.

I often felt that I was reading an autobiography written by Mata Hari herself. Murphy’s description of Java is especially vivid and outstandingly detailed. I felt that I could almost hear Mata Hari’s voice, and smell Nasi Goreng and sweet rosewater.

Signed, Mata Hari is a marvelous book for adult readers about the historical tale of a seductive and notorious woman. You will be either mesmerized by Mata Hari or hate her. For those who are unfamiliar with Mata Hari I suggest to pay particular attention to the frequent shifting of locations and time periods.

-Pat has been a writer for Shakefire.com since 2007.

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