Mata Hari's Last Dance: A Novel
Mata Hari's Last Dance: A Novel book cover

Mata Hari's Last Dance: A Novel

Paperback – July 19, 2016

by
Price
$12.39
Format
Paperback
Pages
288
Publisher
Atria
Publication Date
ISBN-13
978-1476716381
Dimensions
5.25 x 0.72 x 8 inches
Weight
8.8 ounces

Description

Praise for Mata Hari's Last Dance: "MATA HARI'S LAST DANCE is everything historical fiction should be: a transportive tale of a complex figure, brought to life in lush and evocative language, packed with too-good-to-be-true historical details. Michelle Moran's storytelling is as sumptuous and seductive as the subject herself. Like Mata Hari's spellbound audiences, you'll be cheering bravo."— Allison Pataki , New York Times bestselling author of SISI"[Mata Hari] is a mysterious character, but Moran manages to formulate a realistic heroine ....Readers of historical fiction will note the author’s signature attention to detail; however, the flawed Hari makes this engrossing reading ." ― Library Journal "By interweaving the strands of Mata Hari’s multiple reinventions into an evocative tapestry depicting the woman who captured the collective imagination of several nations, the author ensures that questions of her guilt or innocence ultimately take a back seat to her mesmerizing tale. Moran breathes new life into another atrophied legend of a remarkable woman who left an indelible mark upon her time and place in history." ― Booklist Praise for Michelle Moran: “I could not put this book down! Sita’s voice as narrator is a strong one, and the time and characters fascinating. Moran’s evocative writing transports the reader from small backcountry villages where women live out their lives in purdah to the exotic kingdom of Jhansi whose women freely walk the streets, and finally to the eye of the hurricane as British authority in Jhansi increases. . . . A riveting and addictive glimpse of that era.” ― Historical Novel Review on Rebel Queen "This often deeply moving novel focuses on its characters, allowing history to play out as a backdrop to the personal story of a young woman who would risk everything, including her own life, for her people." ― Booklist on Rebel Queen "Filled with fascinating historical details about a subject that is not often portrayed, the novel looks at both the rights of women and the conflict between the British Empire and India in a fairly unbiased way....Readers who have enjoyed Moran's previous works will not want to miss this." ― Library Journal on Rebel Queen (starred review) "Stunning in form, theme, and plot... Don’t hesitate to purchase this beautifully written gem, which is certain to shoot to the top of the charts, if not start a craze for 'everything Moran.'" ― Library Journal, on The Second Empress "Moran expertly balances fact and fiction . . . . Intimate and entertaining." ― Associated Press, on Madame Tussaud "Certain to be a breakout book for Moran, this superbly written and plotted work is a welcome addition to historical fiction collections. The shocking actions and behavior required of Tussaud to survive the revolution make the novel a true page-turner and a perfect reading group choice." ― Library Journal (starred review), on Madame Tussaud "Dramatic, engrossing, and beautifully written, this is essential reading, and Moran is definitely an author to watch." ― Library Journal (starred review), on Cleopatra's Daughter "Moran skillfully weaves into her latest book plenty of political history and detail without ever weighing down the story, which is fast-paced, intriguing, and beautifully written....A subplot about a mysterious 'Red Eagle' who is trying to incite a slave rebellion is riveting....In Cleopatra's Daughter, she once again demonstrates her talent for taking long-forgotten historical figures and bringing them vividly to life." ― Boston Globe, on Cleopatra's Daughter "Historical fiction enthusiasts will delight in this solid installment from a talented name in the genre." ― Publishers Weekly, on Cleopatra's Daughter "A solidly researched history lesson ... The book is a satisfying blend of romance, intrigue and fascinating historical fact. Cleopatra’s daughter may not share her mother’s renown, but Selene’s own life story is also worth surviving through the centuries." ― Chicago Sun-Times, on Cleopatra's Daughter "The tale brims over with rich details of Roman life, historical personages and political turmoil. Add the coming-of-age aspect and you have a novel that will appeal to readers on many levels." ― Romantic Times Book Review, on Cleopatra's Daughter "It's all here: palace intrigue, politics, romance, warfare, and religion. As beautifully written and engrossing as her first novel, this should enjoy wide readership. Recommended for all popular fiction collections." ― Library Journal (starred review), on The Heretic Queen "Moran's careful attention to detail and her artful storytelling skills bring these people – pharaohs, princesses, and queens; petitioners, servants, and soldiers – to vivid life, imbuing ancient history with suspense and urgency." ― Boston Globe, on The Heretic Queen "Almost every character in the book is based on a historical figure, and Moran fleshes out their personalities beautifully, highlighting the teenage pharaoh's arrogance and paranoia, underscoring his queen's ambition and insecurity....Inspired by the distinctive bust of Nefertiti at the Altes Museum, in Berlin, Moran has created an engrossing tribute to one of the most powerful and alluring women in history." ― Boston Globe, on Nefertiti "Mutnodjmet as narrator is a stroke of genius. . . . Beautifully written and completely engrossing, this first novel should enjoy wide readership." ― Library Journal (Editor's Pick of the Week), on Nefertiti "Nefertiti is a fascinating window into the past, a heroic story with a very human heart. Compulsively readable!" -- Diana Gabaldon, on Nefertiti"Another enjoyable historical from Moran." ― Publishers Weekly, on The Second Empress "Michelle Moran has authentically evoked an era, infusing her narrative with passages of gripping and often horrifying drama, set in one of history's most brutal periods. The scope of the author's research is staggering, but you won't need to get to the notes at the end to realise that. As historical novels go, this is of the first rank--a page-turner that is both vividly and elegantly written. I feel privileged to be able to endorse it." -- Alison Weir, author of Innocent Traitor Michelle Moran is the internationally bestselling author of seven historical novels, including Rebel Queen , which was inspired by her travels throughout India. Her books have have been translated into more than twenty languages. A frequent traveler, Michelle currently resides with her husband and two children in the US. Visit her online at MichelleMoran.com.

Features & Highlights

  • From the international bestselling author of
  • Rebel Queen
  • and
  • Nefertiti
  • comes a captivating novel about the infamous Mata Hari, exotic dancer, adored courtesan, and, possibly, relentless spy.
  • Paris, 1917. The notorious dancer Mata Hari sits in a cold cell awaiting freedom…or death. Alone and despondent, Mata Hari is as confused as the rest of the world about the charges she’s been arrested on: treason leading to the deaths of thousands of French soldiers. As Mata Hari waits for her fate to be decided, she relays the story of her life to a reporter who is allowed to visit her in prison. Beginning with her carefree childhood, Mata Hari recounts her father’s cruel abandonment of her family as well her calamitous marriage to a military officer. Taken to the island of Java, Mata Hari refuses to be ruled by her abusive husband and instead learns to dance, paving the way to her stardom as Europe’s most infamous dancer. From Indian temples and Parisian theatres to German barracks in war-torn Europe, international bestselling author Michelle Moran who “expertly balances fact and fiction” (Associated Press) brings to vibrant life the famed world of Mata Hari: dancer, courtesan, and possibly, spy.

Customer Reviews

Rating Breakdown

★★★★★
30%
(170)
★★★★
25%
(142)
★★★
15%
(85)
★★
7%
(40)
★
23%
(129)

Most Helpful Reviews

✓ Verified Purchase

Mata Hari is no Nefertari

I typically enjoy Michelle Moran's historical fiction novels, but this one left me feeling cold and apathetic. Unlike the young women of previous novels, such as Nefertari, Selene Cleopatra, or even Madame Tusseaud, Mata Hari is not likable or sympathetic. While it is clear early on that she endured her fair share of tragedies, her present-day persona is one enamored by the latest fashion, gossip, and who's who in whatever city she happens to be in. She uses and abuses men for her own gains, and is only out for herself. While the writing is superb (as always) and the stage is set beautifully, Mata Hari fails to deliver.
15 people found this helpful
✓ Verified Purchase

Novel set largely in PARIS

This is the story of Margaretha Zelle who morphed into the alluring and beautiful Mata Hari, spy, lover, dancer – true events are rolled into a fictional account of this unique woman’s life.

Most of us have a hazy – possibly crazy – notion of this glamorous woman, her name is famous, but to truly pin her down would be a hard task. The book portrays a woman blighted by early traumatic experiences – abandonment by her father, then by her first lover and ultimately by the man she believed to be her one true love.

At an early age she was single-minded enough to find a husband who would take her to Java, one presumes, so that she could see what became of her first love; but after the loss of one child, the marriage soon turned sour – with domestic violence an integral feature – and she left, to pursue a life of dance, glitz and glamour. An army of military lovers in Paris awaits and between performing risqué dances in the Salons and theatres of Paris, Madrid and Berlin, she enjoys the good life and revels in the gifts that rain down on her. She is the material girl of her era. Her performances in Salome, Cleopatra, plus Tristan and Isolde all hold her audiences in thrall. The first half of the book charts the serried ranks of men who end up being seduced and there are many encounters to plough through. The second half sees her negotiating her way through war-riddled Europe to her untimely demise, desperately finding a way to get her daughter Nom back from the clutches of her erstwhile husband Rudolph Macleod. She is “a woman who routinely couples ill-advised liaisons with requests for compensation“… so very true.

It is her penchant for men in uniform that ultimately brings her down. Naive. Disingenuous. A fantasist. Haughty. Manipulator of men. Vindictive (“I take when someone has taken from me“). Yet at times kind. Underneath of course there seems to have been a conflicted woman, emotionally damaged through multiple losses, who saw the world in terms of how it could serve her rather than what she could back in. A narcissist at heart but still a child too, searching, yearning perhaps for a father figure, and delighted by glittering gemstones as her reward for just being her. This woman was truly “an orchid among buttercups” but a damaged flower who struggled to really see her place in the world.

Mata Hari is a woman whose very essence is nebulous, and to attempt to tie down a credible portrait of this capricious character, dovetailing vulnerability with cupidity… that is no mean feat.
7 people found this helpful
✓ Verified Purchase

Moran never fails to amaze me and I can’t wait to see what or who she’ll write about next! Definitely pick up this book!

Michelle Moran is most definitely my favourite writer of historical fiction. I fell in love with her Egyptian royalty trilogy and have since eagerly awaited each new release. She has this knack for bringing complex women to life, especially women from history that aren’t well known or viewed as being one dimensional. When I saw that she was writing a book about the scandalous Mata Hari, I couldn’t contain my excitement. How would she portray such a well known and controversial person?

The book opens with the origin story of Mata Hari. I loved reading about how a young Dutch woman who fled her broken marriage and had been able to reinvent herself as an exotic dancer influenced by the cultures and religions of India. The rags to riches story sounds so romantic. However, the reader also realizes that nothing is black and white with Mata Hari, she easily blends the truth with lies, making it quite difficult to tell what is real and what she has invented. This is what really drew me into the book at the start. She’s such a complex character and Moran uses this to her advantage. I felt so many emotions when it came to Mata Hari. I feel for her, she’s been through a lot in life (poverty, abuse, rejection), but she’s so slippery and willing to do absolutely anything to better her position in society that at times I found myself quite disgusted with her. But this is why I adore Moran’s books. Her characters are never just one thing. They are flawed and morally questionable, but so, so human. The reader gets to really know them, the good, the bad and everything in between.

As with her past novels, this book is extremely well researched. Moran knows her stuff, she’s a lover of history and a former teacher. She’s able to include a lot of historical information without making it seem forced or like an information overload. It’s definitely not historical date, explanation of the war, battle…blah, blah, blah. This is why the book can appeal to anyone, no matter how much knowledge they have about the First World War or Mata Hari. What it will do is peak your interest in the time period. The events, especially the opening stating that Mata Hari had been arrested for espionage, encouraged me to find out more about this fascinating character.

In past reviews of Michelle Moran’s books I have raved about how she’s a must read author and a master of historical fiction. This book further proves my point. Moran never fails to amaze me and I can’t wait to see what or who she’ll write about next! Definitely pick up this book!
4 people found this helpful
✓ Verified Purchase

Not Michelle Moran's Best Work

Fairly well written, but not Michelle Moran's best work. Ms. Moran's earlier books have complex historical characters with strong wills and an ability to lead even in male dominated societies. Mata Hari lacks significant depth in terms of a written character, her motivations and life events. Perhaps there just is not much to Mata Hari's to write about, but I was not compelled to stay up late and discover the next event in her life. Instead, Mata Hara was written as a fairly shallow woman without substance. Read Nefertiti, the Heretic Queen, and Madam Tussade for compelling examples of Moran's ability to bring strong, historic women to life.
3 people found this helpful
✓ Verified Purchase

Mata Hari

I have read all of Michelle Moran's books and have enjoyed them all. I found this one interesting as I had heard of Mata Hari and wanted to know more. I actually googled her after I finished the book and Michelle was spot on, plus it was interesting to find out why she ended up,the way she did in the end.
2 people found this helpful
✓ Verified Purchase

Extremely Interesting and Intriguing! Really Enjoyed It!

This is a fascinating and engaging story about the life of Mata Hari, the famous dancer, courtesan, who was tried and convicted by the French for being a double agent during WWI, and was subsequently executed for treason by firing squad in 1917.

It is told in first-person narration, and it takes us through a life filled with abandonment, abuse, poverty, riches, love, loss, and wartime.

Mata Hari lived in a time when respectable woman were meant to be demure and obedient and she was certainly nothing of the sort. She appeared to be extremely independent and passionate, but one wonders if this was simply a facade for loneliness and naivete.

I have to admit that I knew very little about Mata Hari when I started this book, and I found her story to be extremely captivating and intriguing. It certainly leaves you questioning whether she was truly a spy or whether she merely got caught up in all the glitz and glamour and, ultimately, chose the wrong paramours.

The writing is poetic and the story flows effortlessly from page to page.

I really enjoyed this story and I highly recommend it.
2 people found this helpful
✓ Verified Purchase

Mata Hari's Last Dance

I’ve read Michelle Moran’s novels set in Ancient Egypt several times, so I was interested to try something of hers set in a different time period. Mata Hari is one of those names I’ve always known without knowing much about the actual person.

The book starts with a news article detailing Hari’s conviction as a spy and death by firing squad in 1917. I think that’s what everyone knows about her, so it makes sense to start there. Then MATA HARI’S LAST DANCE goes back to 1904, when Mata Hari starts creating the legend of Mata Hari in Paris.

The beginning of MATA HARI’S LAST DANCE was great. I thought the author did a good job of developing Mata Hari’s character and the glitzy pre-war period. Mata Hari isn’t always likeable, but I understood her choices and actions.

I think the summary for the book is a tad misleading, as I expected a chronological account of Mata Hari’s life. Instead, she recounts her past in flashbacks, sharing with her lawyer/agent, Edouard Clunet. Is she sharing the truth, or merely how she remembers events? Mata Hari’s a somewhat unreliable narrator, which I enjoyed. I never knew when she was telling the truth or lying or embellishing.

And it’s her habit of lying and embellishing that gets her into trouble. As the book went on, I could see how Mata Hari’s actions and words led to her conviction as a spy. Michelle Moran neatly planted that stake in the ground, raising the tension until Mata Hari’s trial and execution. But I do wish that more time had been spent explaining the political tensions of the war, as the last third of the book went too quickly for me. I felt like I was missing some critical connection or plot thread. Which does make sense in a way, because Mata Hari was unable to hear much of the crucial evidence against her because it was classified. But I wish there had been some way for the author to make everything clearer to the reader.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
2 people found this helpful
✓ Verified Purchase

Easy read, but lacks depth

Didn't like the book... written for those who just want a light read... I was looking for more factual information to be intertwined.
1 people found this helpful
✓ Verified Purchase

Pick It Up You Won't Regret It.

Michelle Moran's book "Mata Hari's Last Dance: A Novel" gave an interesting perceptive on what might have gotten Mata Hari shot for treason. Ms. Moran tells Mata Hari's story through a second person's narrative as if though the person was there with her throughout her entire life and what might have happened to cause her to be accused of treason. In the end Mata Hari is still shot and all her love ones were feeling their lost. If you like to be intrigue and want to imagine what might or maybe happened to Mata Hari then pick up "Mata Hari's Last Dance: A Novel". I believe you will be happy that you began reading Michelle Moran works. Once you begin enjoying her books it's hard to wait for her next available book.
1 people found this helpful
✓ Verified Purchase

Mata Hari's Last Dance

What do you think when you hear Mata Hari?

I chose to read this book for just that reason – I don’t know that much about the woman behind the myth. I hear the name and I think spy. I’m sure the same happens for many of you. This novel starts with Mata Hari awaiting her fate but that fate is pretty much a foregone conclusion because the powers that be need someone blame the war situation on and a notorious woman of questionable morals proves to be a perfect option.

Then her story is told – well she tells her story but is it the truth or is it what she wants it to be? She was born in the Netherlands into a marriage that was not good. Margaretha Zelle leaves her childhood home and goes to live with her godfather but that doesn’t bring her what she is looking for. Next she marries – from an ad in the paper – and this gives her an upgrade in social status but also a husband that beats her. She leaves the marriage and soon evolves into the femme fatale known as Mata Hari.

I found the book to be very interesting. It’s not a big book but Ms. Moran gives a thoroughly researched view of her subject. As with any fictional depiction there is license taken but the tale hews to the facts. Was she a spy? You’ll have to read the book to find out – actually I’m not sure that it’s a question that was truly ever effectively answered. I found this bit of information somehow very sad; Mata Hari couldn’t even read most of the evidence against her because it was classified. How does one even defend against that? She was certainly a woman who went against the mores of her time. I’m not sure I would have liked her at all but I am not sure she deserved her fate.

I received a free copy for my honest review
1 people found this helpful

Related Books