Signed, Mata Hari: A Novel

I wouldn't have read this if I wasn't reviewing it. I have very mixed feelings about it - the writing was gorgeous - erotic, lyrical, and when Murphy was imagining the life of Marguerite Zelle, things took off. But overall the book wasn't very good - any historical information is uncomfortably tacked on and try as she might, Murphy does not create a sympathetic character.

The most interesting part of her life - to me - is how an untrained Dutch orphan passed herself off as an exotic temple dancer. That would have made a much more interesting novel.

I would check out Murphy's other fiction, though. I'm interested in her writing.

“It helps to be fluent in a number of languages if you want to become a spy. I spoke Dutch, German, Spanish, French and even Malay. If you have a studious mind, this helps you become a spy. If you do not have a studious mind, this too helps, because who would suspect you, being ignorant of how to break a code, of knowing how to concoct invisible ink from a number of vials? Anything helps if you want to become a spy, because everyone wants to believe you are a spy.”

How many wonderful things can I say about this book before you begin to roll your eyes?

Mata Hari, an exotic dancer and professional courtesan, was accused of being a double agent for the Germans during World War I and executed by the French in 1917. Whether or not she show more actually spied for the French is debated, and the records of her trial remain sealed until 2017.

Signed, Mata Hari shifts subtly between 1st person and 3rd throughout the book, even occasionally flirting with a 2nd person perspective, which creates a dreamy sort of voyeuristic feeling for the reader. The chapters are short, but luxuriously crafted--almost poetical in their cadence. I felt drawn in immediately...

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While reading this book, I was struck by the simple yet lush language. Though the language isn't complex, its direct and confidential tone suggest the intimacy of Mata Hari's confessions. Yannick Murphy does a good job at making the reader see Mata Hari's motivations, and one ends up feeling that this woman could be any of us, struggling against the oppression of her times. I would recommend this book to readers of historical fiction or anyone who would like to get a realistic picture of Mata Hari.

In this creative book the life of Mata Hari comes alive as we've never known it before. Murphy has filled the gaps that exist in the research available on this intriguing character from WWI. In this story Mata Hari comes to life and one finds sympathy for her despite her life choices.

There are some deliciously erotic sex scenes in the book that might make it a questionable choice for some readers and some group discussions. I found it all to be well written and a quick enjoyable reading experience. It made me go to the web to see what I could learn about Mata Hari and to verify some of the author's conclusions as either fact or fiction.

Another success from Yannick Murphy. The difficult and simple emotions, especially those not fully understood by the characters experiencing them, are subtly and succinctly and fully rendered. Worth it for the means and the ends.

A very Lyrical way of writing. I really enjoyed learning about Mata Hari as a woman and a mother. The author really wrote this well. 273 pages.

beautiful writing