A review by dimlight
Veronika Decides to Die by Paulo Coelho

emotional inspiring reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

The story deals with a girl who tries to commit suicide but fails in her attempt and is brought to a mental institution where she is told that she has only a week left to live. We see the protagonist have a change of perspective as she spends her time there and meets other people. With that, she inspires others to reform their life.

If one day I could get out of here, I would allow myself to be mad, because everyone is, indeed, the maddest are the ones who don't know they're mad, but keep repeating what others tell them to. 

I feel like making the mistakes I always wanted to make, but never had the courage to, facing up to the feelings of panic that might well come back, but whose presence will merely weary me, since I know I'm not going to die or faint because of them. I can make new friends and teach them how to be mad too in order to be wise. I'll tell them not to follow the manual of good behaviour but to discover their own lives, desires, adventures and to LIVE.

  

The book allows us to explore some of the most important questions concerning life and death through the characters. The author makes us question the mundaneness of life and offers varied perspectives with the story.