TITLE: 3.5/5 SUBJECT: 5/5 RELEVANCE: 5/5 WRITING STYLE: 4/5
“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
We all know Paulo Coelho doesn’t need an introduction. I’ve been planning to read all of his books, one by one, and recently I picked up another one of his bestsellers. In Veronika Decides to Die, the author of “The Alchemist” delves into the universal questions many of us ponder: What’s my purpose today? and why do I keep moving forward in life?
The plot of the book
The entire narrative of the story in the book centres around a young girl named “Veronika”. At just twenty-four, Veronika appears to possess everything one could desire: youth, beauty, numerous charming boyfriends, a rewarding job, and a caring family. Yet, something seems to be missing. There is something so significantly lacking that she is unable to do anything about it.
And so, after some contemplation, on one morning in November 1997, Veronika decides to end her life.
However, fate takes an unexpected turn, and Veronika is left in shock when she awakens at Villete, a nearby mental hospital. There, the staff reveals a startling truth: she has, to some extent, achieved her intended outcome. Although the overdose didn’t immediately claim her life, the medication inflicted such severe damage to her heart that she now has only days left to live.
The chief physician at the mental institution, Villette, Dr. Igor, theorizes that an excess of vitriol in the body leads to insanity, and decides to choose Veronika for an experimental procedure.
The narrative tracks Veronika’s remarkable week of self-discovery that unfolds. To her astonishment, Veronika becomes inexplicably attracted to the confines of Villete and its diverse patients, each offering a unique facet of the human experience.
During her time at the hospital, Veronika interacts with a diverse group of individuals. There’s Zedka, a married woman who once obsessively pursued a former boyfriend, only to fall into a deep sadness. Then, there’s Mari, who used to suffer from panic attacks but has made significant progress. Eduardo, on the other hand, ended up at the hospital because his father pressured him to pursue a career as a painter.
Veronika’s life takes a surprising turn when she falls in love with Eduardo. Through her interactions with the other patients, she learns valuable lessons about the meaning of life and is inspired to live passionately during her remaining days.
A Profound Revelation
The book’s central message is simple yet profound: “When you confront the reality of death, you recognize the splendour of each day you live.” For most of us, death remains a distant and abstract concept, causing us to overlook life’s value.
Through Veronika’s experience of facing her own mortality with just a week to live, the novel guides us to appreciate each day’s significance. She genuinely discovers life’s beauty and purpose as death looms.
Thanks to the author’s exceptional storytelling, readers are bound to arrive at this realization themselves. Witnessing Veronika reclaim her life with newfound positivity is undeniably gratifying.
My Take on the Overall Experience and the Author’s Writing
Coelho, in Veronika Decides to Die, delves into a fundamental truth about society: its tendency to be somewhat one-dimensional. When someone strays from the norm, they’re often labeled as “MAD,” a term that carries significant weight throughout the book.
Through Veronika, the central character, and the supporting cast, Coelho artfully illustrates the diverse perspectives that can exist in the world, each with its own unique and authentic significance.
The author skilfully weaves a tapestry of diverse tales, each offering a unique lesson or journey, all underpinned by a recurring theme that justifies their presence in the book.
If you find yourself pondering the purpose of life and death, this book unquestionably guides you toward making ethical decisions in your everyday existence.
The author pays due diligence to every character in the narrative, furnishing them with a compelling backstory and employing strategic dialogue within Veronika’s story.
For those seeking a philosophical read amidst our technologically advanced world, this book is a genuinely enriching experience.
Can’t wait to read it? Buy your copy of Veronika Decides to Die.
