Veronika Decides to Die by Margaret Jull Costa and Paulo Coelho

Twenty-four-year-old Veronika seems to have everything -- youth and beauty, boyfriends and a loving family, a fulfilling job. But something is missing in her life. So, one cold November morning, she takes a handful of sleeping pills expecting never to wake up. But she does -- at a mental hospital where she is told that she has only days to live.Inspired by events in Coelho's own life, Veronika Decides to Die questions the meaning of madness and celebrates individuals who do not fit into patterns society considers to be normal. Bold and illuminating, it is a dazzling portrait of a young woman at the crossroads of despair and liberation, and a poetic, exuberant appreciation of each day as a renewed opportunity.

This book was absolutely TERRIBLE. Again, I'm glad I only paid $1.99 for it instead of full price, otherwise, I might be more than a little ticked. Now, if I could only get the time back that I spent reading this nonsense, I'd be golden. I found not a single likable character in this book. You have Veronika, who attempts suicide for stupid, selfish reasons. Mari, who suffers from panic attacks and wants to continue staying on at the hospital after she loses her job and her husband divorces her, Eduard, the schizophrenic son of a diplomat, and Zedka who is clinically depressed and longs for a married lover or some nonsense like that. There's also Dr. Igor (oh, what a lovely name) who is not likable at all, and decides to do some experiment on the suicidal Veronika, by telling her that her overdose has messed up her heart and she has only a week to live, when in fact she is fine. Knowing she is to die soon, she embraces life and does things she wouldn't normally do (masturbating in front of the schizophrenic Eduard, whom she barely knows. Hello, wtf was that scene? I'm all for embracing your sexuality, but please.) The whole book is just foolishness. I'd give it zero stars if I could.

So depressing. No story. But interesting plot. Shades of Alchemist.

this is my favorite book of all times. i read this when i actually wanted to die so i think it really helped me. veronika is such an interesting character and i relate to her. she learns to live after almost dying, even though the doctors tell her she only got a few days. such a good book and ive read it many times

I learned to reevaluate and appreciate what makes me different from everyone else. Essentially my differences is what makes me unique. Trying to fit in to a model that society has created will only make you crazy or feel less than.