Book Review: Veronika Decides To Die by Paulo Coelho

“The two hardest tests on the spiritual road are the patience to wait for the right moment and the courage not to be disappointed with what we encounter.”

― Paulo Coelho, Veronika Decides to Die

Veronika Decides to Die is Paulo Coelho's book. This book explores the theme of lunacy and is partially based on Coelho's experiences in several mental facilities. The main point of the message is that normalcy is the collective insanity.

Paulo Coelho takes the reader on a uniquely contemporary journey in Veronika Decides to Die, where he explores the search for purpose in a society dominated by lifeless monotony, anguish, and ubiquitous conformity. It is a brilliant depiction of a young lady at the intersection of liberty and despair, poignant and instructive, and a beautiful, enthusiastic celebration of every day as a fresh start.

Synopsis from Goodreads...

What am I doing here today? and Why do I go on living?

Twenty-four-year-old Veronika seems to have everything she could wish for: youth and beauty, plenty of attractive boyfriends, a fulfilling job, and a loving family. Yet something is lacking in her life. Inside her is a void so deep that nothing could possibly ever fill it. So, on the morning of November 11, 1997, Veronika decides to die. She takes a handful of sleeping pills expecting never to wake up.

Naturally Veronika is stunned when she does wake up at Villete, a local mental hospital, where the staff informs her that she has, in fact, partially succeeded in achieving her goal. While the overdose didn't kill Veronika immediately, the medication has damaged her heart so severely that she has only days to live.

The story follows Veronika through the intense week of self-discovery that ensues. To her surprise, Veronika finds herself drawn to the confinement of Villete and its patients, who, each in his or her individual way, reflect the heart of human experience. In the heightened state of life's final moments, Veronika discovers things she has never really allowed herself to feel before: hatred, fear, curiosity, love, and sexual awakening. She finds that every second of her existence is a choice between living and dying, and at the eleventh hour emerges more open to life than ever before.

My reaction to this novel... 

This is the second time I read this novel and I still found it good. Suicide is the main subject of this novel. Some thoughts about this subject are different from others. Some may think that the individuals who are ending their life are narrow minded, some comprehend and some don’t comprehend. All things considered, it is a miserable and extreme thing to go through when a relative or dear companion choose to end their own life. Yet, when you endure the topic “suicide”, some of us may think on how does the one ending their life feel? How can one feel then, at that point, confronting their own demise knowing its inescapable? This story was perfectly composed and has stir within me the delight of living. Living as life ought to be appreciated and consistently trust in yourself.

The other topics of the book are really intriguing – the get over among frenzy and mental soundness, the trouble individuals face when they believe they are at chances with society. The idea that each one is different yet that the majority use imperative energy attempting to be equivalent to every other person. It takes a gander at the worth of life – the careless redundancy of days versus the excitement of accepting every day may be our last, and living each second to the full in a true manner.

What doesn’t work in the book, for me at any rate, is the manner in which the story shifts perspectively in an inconsistent way, detracting from rather than adding to the worth of the piece. The author figures out how to embed himself into one of the parts out of the blue, adhering to the afterword would have been more successful. Following Veronika’s journey near its decision would have been undeniably fulfilling. It doesn’t focus on the story, and maybe this is to mirror that Veronika didn’t focus on her life. Yet, it doesn’t feel like an analogy. It feels lethargic and not well idea out. It is a decent story, yet there are moments wherein you will feel the spaces between each words you read. Though I felt that way, I still recommend it to those who still did not read it and to those who are looking for this kind of story. 

My Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐✨(3.5/5)

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