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sarahetc's review against another edition
1.0
Veronika does decide to die. The title won't lead you astray. But why she does is so absolutely pointless and banal it could only be constructed and narrator by a person who was so steeped in postmodernism-- all demands for immediate and constant personal satisfaction and contempt for anything remotely bourgeois or traditional-- that to actually write this nonsense down seemed like a good idea, an edifying one! And that's really all it is: Veronika isn't perfectly, transcendentally euphoric (happiness being rejected for its proletarian associations) so death is the obvious course. Obviously.
But it wouldn't be ironic if that were the end of the story and so there is 95% more book to convince Veronika that she does have something to live for! Oh, spoiler! Did you not see that coming? Duh. And that process involves doubling down on the pursuit of immediate and transcendental euphoria. Veronika's fellows at the mental hospital encourage her to look ever more deeply inside herself (a self, remember, that was shallow enough to attempt suicide because it was feeling pretty meh) for reasons to live: play the piano! Masturbate! Masturbate furiously next to a piano while a schizophrenic watches!
And that sums it up: life is art! Life is sex! Sexy art! Arty sex! Oh and some friends with panic attacks. And schizophrenia isn't a real thing-- it's just what your family says you are when you want to pursue a non-bourgeois career like painter, or novelist. This novel is insipid and insulting. It trivializes real mental illness. It is written by and for a type of person for whom life must be a series of ever-escalating thrills and dramatics; for whom culture is something to be imploded and artificially synthesized in equal parts; for whom there is a general sense that life is lacking and must be harangued into showering individuals with everything they want, all the time. In short, the baseless, pointless, purposeless and ultimately useless life pleasure principle, writ large and in Portugese.
But it wouldn't be ironic if that were the end of the story and so there is 95% more book to convince Veronika that she does have something to live for! Oh, spoiler! Did you not see that coming? Duh. And that process involves doubling down on the pursuit of immediate and transcendental euphoria. Veronika's fellows at the mental hospital encourage her to look ever more deeply inside herself (a self, remember, that was shallow enough to attempt suicide because it was feeling pretty meh) for reasons to live: play the piano! Masturbate! Masturbate furiously next to a piano while a schizophrenic watches!
And that sums it up: life is art! Life is sex! Sexy art! Arty sex! Oh and some friends with panic attacks. And schizophrenia isn't a real thing-- it's just what your family says you are when you want to pursue a non-bourgeois career like painter, or novelist. This novel is insipid and insulting. It trivializes real mental illness. It is written by and for a type of person for whom life must be a series of ever-escalating thrills and dramatics; for whom culture is something to be imploded and artificially synthesized in equal parts; for whom there is a general sense that life is lacking and must be harangued into showering individuals with everything they want, all the time. In short, the baseless, pointless, purposeless and ultimately useless life pleasure principle, writ large and in Portugese.
kaleja's review against another edition
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
falinefernfreesince2019's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
booksandbrownies_blr's review against another edition
4.0
Rating: ⭐ 4/5
"Collective madness is called sanity..."
"People never learn anything by being told, they have to find out for themselves."
"Be crazy! But learn how to be crazy without being the center of attention. Be brave enough to live different."
"You are someone who is different, but who wants to be the same as everyone else. And that in my view is a serious illness. God chose you to be different. Why are you disappointing God with this kind of attitude?"
Veronika Decides to Die by Paulo Coelho is a thought-provoking novel that delves into the complexities of mental health and the pursuit of true happiness. The novel challenges societal norms and the perceptions of "sanity" through the journey of the protagonist, Veronika, who attempts suicide, only to wake up in a mental institution. It is here, that she confronts her own beliefs about conformity and living authentically.
The writing is introspective and invites readers to contemplate the meaning of life and the power of individual choice. It is a compelling read that will encourage you to reflect on the nature of existence and the importance of embracing life's uncertainties.
I first read "Veronika Decides to Die" as a teenager, over a decade ago. I have to admit that I enjoyed it more this time around! I find it fascinating how rereading not only helps you understand complex themes better, but also gauge how much you have evolved as a person!
"Collective madness is called sanity..."
"People never learn anything by being told, they have to find out for themselves."
"Be crazy! But learn how to be crazy without being the center of attention. Be brave enough to live different."
"You are someone who is different, but who wants to be the same as everyone else. And that in my view is a serious illness. God chose you to be different. Why are you disappointing God with this kind of attitude?"
Veronika Decides to Die by Paulo Coelho is a thought-provoking novel that delves into the complexities of mental health and the pursuit of true happiness. The novel challenges societal norms and the perceptions of "sanity" through the journey of the protagonist, Veronika, who attempts suicide, only to wake up in a mental institution. It is here, that she confronts her own beliefs about conformity and living authentically.
The writing is introspective and invites readers to contemplate the meaning of life and the power of individual choice. It is a compelling read that will encourage you to reflect on the nature of existence and the importance of embracing life's uncertainties.
I first read "Veronika Decides to Die" as a teenager, over a decade ago. I have to admit that I enjoyed it more this time around! I find it fascinating how rereading not only helps you understand complex themes better, but also gauge how much you have evolved as a person!
viryr's review against another edition
3.0
Este libro tiene cosas buenas y malas, retomando mi reseña del Alquimista es del genero de superación personal o salud mental recicla las mismas ideas y los mismo clichés.
Verónica decide morir fue escrita por un hombre y la hizo un poco o mucho superflua y banal. Toca temas como el suicidio, lo mal que esta lo sociedad y esta muy bien pero desde el punto de vista de Verónica una joven superflua, ¡es absurdo! Remarcaría que no se trasmite la sensación deprimente que causa la ideas suicidas por lo que suenan falsas.
La historia al inicio es lenta y después mejora y el final muy bueno, no lo esperaba.
Verónica decide morir fue escrita por un hombre y la hizo un poco o mucho superflua y banal. Toca temas como el suicidio, lo mal que esta lo sociedad y esta muy bien pero desde el punto de vista de Verónica una joven superflua, ¡es absurdo! Remarcaría que no se trasmite la sensación deprimente que causa la ideas suicidas por lo que suenan falsas.
La historia al inicio es lenta y después mejora y el final muy bueno, no lo esperaba.
thekimberlyann's review against another edition
5.0
This is probably one of my all time favorite books. Despite it's title, it actually is an oddly uplifting and beautiful story in it's own way. The main character survives a suicide attempt and is told by her doctor that since she damaged her heart so bad (by taking sleeping pills) she only has a very short time left to live. I first heard of this story due to the fact that actress Sarah Michelle Gellar played the lead role of Veronika is the film adaptation. Since I was unable to get a copy of the DVD in the correct region format and went searching for the book and I'm very glad I did. This is one book I highly recommend.
polkadotteapott's review against another edition
dark
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
This book was a DNF -- the main character did some unforgivable stuff that was not treated as such.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Suicide attempt, Gaslighting, and Classism
loro_30's review against another edition
2.0
Lo leí dos veces antes de convencerme de que Coelho no me gusta. Muy predecible.