Signed, Mata Hari by Yannick Murphy (Book Review by Deb Smouse)
It’s only a short time before her execution and we are in her prison cell. We are in Paris and the year is 1917. We are with Margaretha Zelle, aka, Mata Hari.
In this richly woven tale, Yannik Murphy mixes the facts of Mata Hari’s life with nuggets of fiction to share a richly woven tale alternating between Mata Hari in prison, telling stories to her captors to buy back her life within the story of her life. Growing up mostly alone and abandoned and then finding herself in a loveless marriage, she shows that she is a survivor. Margaretha finds her comfort during her time in Java, but also suffers her greatest loss. She then reinvents herself and becomes the dancer, Mata Hari, dressing in veils and being admired by the elite of Europe.
Was Mata Hari a spy or was she simply a delusional woman longing for attention?
I devoured Signed, Mata Hari. I was left wanting to know even more…wondering where the facts ended and the fiction began. The writing was authentic and it seemed as if I were reading an autobiography. It’s a book that will stay on my bookshelf to share with friends, and for the occasional re-read.
Signed, Mata Hari is available November 14, 2007
Deb Smouse is the Editor in Chief for All Things Girl. She’s is edging closer and closer to 40 and indulges in her love of books. She reads between 4 to 8 novels a month, depending on how much flight time she has…. Find out more about Deb on our about page
