A Novel of Redemption [Paperback] - Veronika Decides to Die

I bought this book on the recommendation of a friend and I don't like it at all. In fact, it irritates me. I have a background in psychology, and to some extent I agree that the definition of "normal" can be hard to pin down. That's about the only thing the author and I can agree upon. The notion that if we just accept our craziness, maybe even try to be a little crazier, we will find inner happiness is absurd. Mental illnesses are real, and real people struggle with them every day, all over the world, and I think the author minimizes the struggle with his philosophies. Simply letting go of our routines and our limitations is not enough. Does he know what it's like to suffer from a crippling mental illness? I seriously doubt it. All his "crazy" characters are canned, unrealistic mystics. I didn't like a single one of them, not even Veronika, despite my best efforts.

Granted, I only made it halfway through. Maybe the second half gets better? The point when they were discussing Veronika's need for a killer orgasm was the last straw for me. Right... orgasms fix everything.

Stylistically, I thought the dialogue was forced and unnatural, and the characters didn't feel real to me. People don't speak to each other like this. Otherwise it was well-written, though I disagreed with just about everything he wrote. It seems like each new person introduced only served as a vessel for the author to spout off more weird philosophy. I wish I'd spent my $1.99 and those few hours of my life elsewhere. (Oh, also... you can't see a new moon. So his description of Veronika playing piano under the light of the new moon, her favorite, was incorrect.) Okay... I'm done.

This book is a very revealing and confusing discourse on sanity and the lack of it. It does question fundamentally "normal" consensus on what is madness.
It encourages individuality and the pursuit of dreams in a most original way. It speaks for the "mad person" but it addresses mad/normal people.
Thoroughly entertaining at the same time reaching deep and staying with the reader.

Unfortunately, I won't have time to read this until the summer but I'm so glad I got this book. I loved the Alchemist. I'm looking forward to reading this.
Arrived on time and in excellent condition.

I enjoyed this book,although a quick read I found myself thinking about how differently I would live each day if I thought I only had a short time left. Looking forward to seeing the movie they made out of this book to see if it does the book justice.

I really enjoyed this book. I was surprised at the perspective that I gained into the thoughts of the psych patient after having worked psych part of my career. Enjoyed the read, quick but meaningful.

Enlightening! A freeing experience!
I never saw this insight coming, it hit me smack in the face out of the blue!
Thank you Paulo Coelho, I've at last found one person that understands me.
If people weren't so afraid of speaking about their real feelings and thoughts, I'm sure I would not feel like such an outcast.

I have read several of this authors' books, and yet it still amazes me how he is able to thread important insights into REALLY interesting story lines - making his books of fiction ones that we can all learn something from...

Don't be misled by the title "Veronika Decides to Die" - although this is definitely an important part of the story, a greater part has to do with choosing to live - making the deliberate choice to really LIVE each day, as opposed to just existing..

This book is also about the impact each of us have on everyone we meet - whether we realize it or not - and that this impact can be positive or negative, our choice.

Another REALLY important aspect was how we as a society determine what we consider "normal" & "abnormal", and how this impacts us personally, as well as how it impacts how we view others. It's truly amazing how quickly we humans change what we deem as "normal" & "okay" - and it is equally amazing how important it is to many of us to "fit in", to be a part of the majority, even if this means denying who we are & what feels right to us...

Overall, I would highly recommend it to those who enjoy "stories with a lesson" - you won't be disappointed!

Very good, satisfying book, hard to put down. It pt perspective on life and might even help its readers gain a new will for life. It helped me a lot mentally and it was just really interesting. Some parts are slow but the rest of the book makes it definitely worth it.

Great books. I really like Coelho`s style of writing. This book is fascinating in the way it gives insight into "vitriol poisoning" and raises questions about conforming to social norms and its effects on one's sanity.

This book takes you to places you have never really thought about or wanted to go. It makes a SANE person ask why and how much different are we from those labeled insane. Very thought provoking and a great book for book clubs that have different views on the subject.

Beautifully written, classic Coelho. This is a very short, light novel that uses a very dark subject to remind us to lighten up. Coelho is masterful in using contrast to show truth. I thoroughly enjoyed this and will re-read it many times.

Thoroughly enjoyable. This book was written with humor but also heart wrenching honesty. I wasn't sure about the book after the first rew pages, but continued to be drawn in until I was sold and invested in all the characters.
I will now read all of Paulo Coelho's work.

Wow! This book was awesome! Sometimes routine does seem pretty crazy, and when you think far away from outside the box you still get the crazy look. So, might as we look crazy doing the things that makes you happy. This is definitely a 're-read to keep me in check.