Mata Hari's Last Dance: A Novel

I have never read any of Ms. Moran's work. I no longer read any fiction at all. I have about 15 books on Mata Hari: all of them are boring and disappointing. Paul Coelho's 'novel' I threw in the garbage can. BUT THIS BOOK REALLY WORKS! Mata Hari is right there, as a living breathing woman. I can almost see through her eyes. I love the silly repartee and quick thinking going on in her mind. I find myself chuckling and cannot wait to turn the page. It makes Mata Hari even more endearing than I already suspected from the effect she had on her contemporaries. Evidently it was not 'what she did' (so tiresomely dredged through in other accounts) but 'HOW she did what she did'. Too bad she just missed being immortalized on film. So to all who admire this writer I agree.

I did not know anything about Mata Hari before this book and it was very entertaining and well written. She is complicated character with abuse and abandonment that has created a vain, Greedy woman in a time when women were not allowed to be that or have dreams.

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.

While interesting, I would not call this much more. It reads like Cliff notes just basically listing men she had associated with. I should think there must be more that happened to her while spying which got her killed.

I never really knew what to believe about Mata Hari but I always just assumed that she was executed because she deserved it. As I learn more about life and history I realize that things aren't always as they seem. Michelle Moran weaves an incredibly beautiful story of the scandalous Mata Hari. It begins with the young M'greet and all her frivolous naivety. She is carefree, reckless, and flippant. She isn't very likable to start off but as Mata Hari opens up little by little as the narrator you understand there is so much more to her than just an exotic dancer in Paris. The book ends with what history knows about Mata Hari but, deep down, I had hoped history had gotten it wrong this time. This was such a magnificent book and I likely would have finished it in one sitting if I didn't feel the urge to know every possible thing I could about this infamous woman as I turned each page. I constantly was doing research wanting to devour as much knowledge of her as I could. In the end I believe she was a scapegoat. She was just another evil seductress to be killed for the history books by men who didn't understand her.

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.

Mata Hari is a a fabulous novel based on reality about the spy who really was no spy.She was persecuted because of her alliances and dalliances with men, something thatwould never happen to the latter/ She rose out of poverty through her love of danceand a teacher who taught her to use her beauty to a sensuous advantage. As alwaysthe style is above reproach and here, the author (one of my favorites) makes herimagery and metaphor reminiscent of Anais Nin's lyrical fiction, no easy feat. A sadbook but compelling. Could not put in down! Bravo.

Michelle Moran delivers again with this captivating tale of Mata Hari. It's fully engaging and entertaining, as all of Michelle's books have been. In fact, I'd have to put her in top 5 of my favorite authors for consistently wonderful novels. I look forward to everything she writes.

A story that feels real, and emotional and historically accurate. A portrayal of a fascinating woman, and an accurate assessment of her probable real story.

Good read! Always wanted to know more about Matador Hari. Full of intriguing details.

I really like Michelle Moran's books, they are a great mix of historical fact and fiction. However, I was a little disappointed by "Mata Hari's Last Dance". It was so much lighter than her previous novels. For such a infamous historical figure, I was hoping that there would more ... just more. Moran hits on all the historical points but I found the fiction very light. I get the feeling that Moran could of done so much more with this character as she did with Madame Tussaud which was rich with both fiction and excellent historical facts.

Up until now I've loved all of Michelle Moran's books but this one was quite honestly just boring.There wasn't an interesting storyline, it felt empty, cold and forced. It seemed like there wasn't actually even a story to tell here. This is one book I wish I could return and get my money back.

very well written story, but also very sad.