Book Review: Veronika Decides to Die

Veronika Decides to Die is a novel written by Paulo Coelho in 1998. He has written this book based on his own experience during his stay in Mental institution thrice. He has created a fictional character named Veronika and wrote his own experience in words.

The story starts with Veronica, 24 years lady decided to end her life consuming sleeping pills. She takes pills one by one and while waiting for a death decided to write suicide note. She became furious reading Where is Slovenia? in one article and instead wrote infuriating letter saying her death would know where Slovenia is. She slightly dozed off and instead of waking in hell or heaven she woke up in Villatte, A Mental Hospital. She was in coma for 5 days and woke up with the news of internal damage of her heart and would live only for 4-5 days.

Hearing this news, she decided to have overdose of medicine thinking to end her life early. In between, she was approached by Zedka, A chronic depressive patient and would soon be discharged. They shared a good bond. Zedka told her story about " The King Story" based on insanity giving the true meaning of being Crazy.

Veronika´s impending death was spread in whole hospital renowned her by the name of "The dying girl". Mari, A former lawyer and in her sixties was a patient of Panic Disorder. Despite of no need to stay in hospital, she was staying to avoid outside world and pretend to be ill.

Eduard, a schizophrenic and mid twenties man who had completely stopped eating got close with Veronika and her piano sonates. He wants Veronika to play for him often leading deep love bond between them.

Lastly, not to forget about Dr. Igor, senior of Villette and man of a mood also a little mad in himself. He wanted to be known in history and let Slovenia known around world.

The story revolves around how Veronika influenced above inmates and a Doctor in their perception. How Veronika wanted to live her last days? How did she started to love the another Veronika inside her?

Veronika decides to die, is not only a fictional novel but also the treasure to which One can relate to every character. This novel shows that why so called insane people don't want to come to world and live their normal life after being cured and enjoy living in Mental Hospital instead breaking rules, laws?? After all they are known as Insane. It would also change your perception on Mental Illness and your view on them.

As a book lover, I would like to recommend every book lover to give "Veronika decides to Die" a try.