"The Spy"- A Reflection on Women's Rights                 

 "The Spy", the book by renowned writer Paulo Coelho is about the adventurous yet tragic story of Mata Hari, the infamous spy, who was later executed....Nevertheless there are a lot of heart wrenching quotes hidden inside this priceless book....

The life of Mata Hari was tragic. The raw painful life she had led would sometimes be hidden under her label of spy. An independent woman is always a nightmare to chauvinistic men. A world where women are considered as commodities for pleasure, and a child bearing machine is an unprogressive one. A woman has the same rights as a man for everything. 

Many instances of sexual abuse faced by Mata Hari  and other women are mentioned in various parts of this short novel. As a woman, when I read through those pages, the hidden insecure feelings all resurface in my mind. 

The beauty of a woman can be a disadvantage as much as it is an advantage. It is often said marriage completes a woman. An unmarried woman is often considered an anomaly. But are all marriages happy ones. Cases of domestic abuse and rising divorces prove otherwise. Marriage can be a miserable prison, which may imprison you till death. 

When a woman survives all ordeals and restarts her life she is often seen differently. Because 'independent women could hinder the growth of a man'- that is what the patriarchal society portrayed in this book believes. 

The long rant was something which overflowed, when I remembered the brutal scenes. But don't think that this whole book is bloody. It is not.

The sufferings and life journey of the spy is told in a poignant language, with many heart touching quotes. Here are some of the quotes that made me love this book.

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When you know your date of your death, all memories will comeback to you, along with regrets. 

As mentioned in the quotes above, you take a backwards journey till your childhood trying to recollect each and every precious memory. Rather than the adventurous life of Mata Hari, the grim realities faced by her touched me close to my heart. Read this book, if you are ok with shedding a few tears....