Books : Veronika Decides to Die: A Novel of Redemption (P.S.)

Rating: - A book that must me read
My first reading of Coelho was 'The Alchamist' and it changed my life.When i first saw 'Veronika Decides to Die' on the shelves i grabbed it immediately. Again it changed my life,beliefs and perception of life.
Veronika resembles millions of those who are lost between being what they are and what others want them to be.After she thought that her life became redundant, she thinks that the only thing she hasn't discovered yet is death. After her failed attempt to commit suicide,she is addmitted to Villete, a hospital for mental patients.There she meets people who are simply incapable of living a 'normal' life because they are not acceptable anymore.
Her presence in the hospial triggered others to percieve life in a different view.Eduard, a schizophrenic,discoverd love, Zedka decided to carry on her life,Mari knew what she really wanted after hiding from it all her life.
A book that would make you read it till the end without stopping.You will discover what is love,dignity,dreams,and craziness. It answers the questions of 'what is right and what is correct', 'why should we live','who should we be'.
A book that you must have in your library.
Finally, thank you Paulo Coelho for changing my life.Thank you for making me "CRAZY".

---

Rating: - Coelho makes you think about not taking life for granted
This a beautifully written book. It makes the reader think of all the possiblities in life and the power inside yourself to overcome fear.

---

Rating: - Profound.
I just finished this book. I am almost at a loss for words.

This poignant novel tells the story of a young woman named Veronika who seems to have everything: beauty, a loving family, a good job, etc. However she feels empty inside, wondering what the purpose of life may be if things will just go downhill from then on. Thus she decides to end her life, cleanly and quietly.

Yet she does not succeed. She awakens sometime later in a mental hospital, Villete, and is told she only has days to live, as her attempt left unreparable damage on her heart.

She attempts to find ways to end her life more quickly while trapped in Villete, but ends up finding LIFE instead. With a death sentence creeping up on her, she battles inwardly between her previous wish to die, and her current fascination and discovery of life.

We all know how we are "supposed" to live, the rules and regulations that we abide by each and every day without even realizing it. Is this living? Paulo Coelho addresses this question brilliantly. Veronika's lesson is one that should be heeded by all. Unforunately it seems that those who truly live their own lives will instead be deemed "insane" or "crazy" by the law-abiding people surround them. What is life? Who can define another's choices, characteristics, and temperments? If a CEO decides not to wear a tie to work anymore, because he says it is stupid to nearly choke on a piece of fabric for ten hours everyday, who is to decide if he is crazy or not?

These questions and more like them will invade your thoughts after reading "Veronika Decides to Die". I strongly urge young and old, male and female, directed and hopeless, to read this book. I think we can all use a little insight into life.

---

Rating: - An unexamined life...
...is not worth living.

I love this book. When it was first recommended by a friend my first reaction was "Gosh, that sounds so morbid". On the contrary the book dwells not on death but on the joys of living.

Veronika is not your classic suicide victim. She is beautiful, bright and has a comfortable life. There are no earth shattering moments that lead her to this decision. No major disappointments. No catastrophes. Out of simple boredom and disillusionment, she decides to end her life.

Her suicide attempt is foiled-in part. She is revived but with permanent heart damage that gives her a few several weeks left of life. Only then does her journey of self-discovery begin, where she examines her life and why each day is a gift to be treasured.

This is a book that has something for everyone. It reminds us to live life fully and examine each thing that makes our lives worth living. The proof of the pudding is in the eating, so `Bon appetit!'.

---

Rating: - Die Or Not Die
Very good book about this girl who decides to give up her life as she lost the meaning to it and she lost the reason why to live. She gets into a mental hospital where she discovers herself and love. I beleive this is the best book written by Paulo Coelho so far.