Veronika Decides To Die | Paulo Coelho | Book Review

 "I feel like starting to live again, Eduard. "

- Veronika, Veronika Decides To Die by Paulo Coelho

 

Book Description

Veronika Decides to Die by Paulo Coelho revolves around Veronika, a young Slovenian woman who has everything that a woman in the prime of her life would want. She has a good job, a string of boyfriends and a family that loves her. However, she is not so happy with her life and decides to commit suicide. After taking sleeping pills, she wakes up in a mental hospital where she is told that the pills have shortened her life span. Now she has only a few days to live.

 

Book review

Just like any other Paulo Coelho book, Veronika Decides To Die is sprinkled with lots of philosophical insights. But the approach seems to be slightly different. Coelho sets his readers on a journey to unveil the real meaning of madness and insanity through different perspectives. 

The story is loosely based on the author’s own experiences in a mental hospital. His perspective provides a thorough and deep narrative that is exceptionally far-sighted. He blends in the right amount of sensitivity and sympathy while exploring the mindsets of multiple characters. I love how the story, although centering around Veronika, draws in other bunch of characters and makes them equally prominent.

The story is simply an attempt to rediscover life. It does not ask you about your life's greater meaning. It just lets you to ponder on the little things and simple happiness. It is a reminder of all the possibilities that life offers. It shows how love can transform a life, for better or for worse. This book is about freedom - of love, choices and, of course, life.

Pros

It fluently speaks about mental health and redefines being ‘normal’. In my opinion, the story is more psychological than dominantly spiritual. Plus, it’s a feel good book and extremely fast paced.

Cons 

This book is one of the most critically acclaimed novels by Coelho, I guess. Especially because it ventures into the unconventional (rather ‘taboo’) territory of mental problems. Honestly, I can’t think of any con. Unless you entirely dislike Coelho’s writings, you’ll probably like the book.

Who Can Read It?

The book is not specifically explicit, though has one or two instances. And if you are comfortable reading about insanity, suicides, deaths, and living life on your terms, then you are good to go!

 

Until next time.

XOXO