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Veronika Decides to Die

by Paulo Coelho (Goodreads Author), Margaret Jull Costa (Translator)

3.68 of 5 stars 3.68 · rating details · 60,733 ratings · 3,162 reviews

In his latest international bestseller, the celebrated author of The Alchemist addresses the fundamental questions asked by millions: What am I doing here today? and Why do I go on living?

Twenty-four-year-old Veronika seems to have everything she could wish for: youth and beauty, pleny of attractive boyfriends, a fulfilling job, and a loving family. Yet something is lackin

...more In his latest international bestseller, the celebrated author of The Alchemist addresses the fundamental questions asked by millions: What am I doing here today? and Why do I go on living?

Twenty-four-year-old Veronika seems to have everything she could wish for: youth and beauty, pleny of attractive boyfriends, a fulfilling job, and a loving family. Yet something is lacking in her life. Inside her is a void so deep that nothing could possibly ever fill it. So, on the morning of November 11, 1997, Veronika decides to die. She takes a handful of sleeping pills expecting never to wake up.

Naturally Veronika is stunned when she does wake up at Villete, a local mental hospital, where the staff informs her that she has, in fact, partially succeeded in achieving her goal. While the overdose didn't kill Veronika immediately, the medication has damaged her heart so severely that she has only days to live.

The story follows Veronika through the intense week of self-discovery that ensues. To her surprise, Veronika finds herself drawn to the confinement of Villete and its patients, who, each in his or her individual way, reflect the heart of human experience. In the heightened state of life's final moments, Veronika discovers things she has never really allowed herself to feel before: hatred, fear, curiosity, love, and sexual awakening. She finds that every second of her existence is a choice between living and dying, and at the eleventh hour emerges more open to life than ever before.

In Veronika Decides to Die, Paulo Coelho takes reader on a distinctly modern quest to find meaning in a culture overshadowed by angst, soulless routine, and pervasive conformity. Based on events in Coelho's own life, Veronkia Decides to Die questions the meaning of madness and celebrates individuals who do not fit into patterns society considers to be normal. Poignant 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.

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Paperback, 240 pages

Published June 1st 2006 by Harper Perennial (first published 1998)

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Apr 08, 2011 محمود أغيورلي rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

فيرونكا تقرر ان تموت - باولو كويلو -
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الناس لايتعلمون اي شيء يخبرهم به الاخرون عليهم ان يتعلموا ذلك بانفسهم
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افضل طريقة لتجنب المشاكل هي ان تشرك الاخرين بذلك
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الوظيفة الوحيدة المفيدة لربطة العنق انها تخدم احساسا بالشعور بالتحرر عند عودتك للمنزل وتخلعها تشعر كانك حررت نفسك من شيء ما رغم انك لاتعرف ماهو على وجه التحديد
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وحدهم الابطال والمجانين لايخافون الحياة او الموت ولايبالون بالخطر وسوف يمضون قدما بالرغم مما يقوله الاخري...more

46 likes · like · see review

Aug 12, 2011 Gloria Mundi rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: insane-in-the-membrane, 1001-books, snoozefest, wtf, curiouser-and-curiouser, back-from-the-dead

Veronika is a 24 year old Slovenian woman who one day decides to kill herself, apparently because (1) "everything in her life was the same and, once her youth was gone, it would be downhill all the way" and (2) everything is wrong with the world and she feels powerless to make things right. After she takes an overdose of sleeping pills, Veronika wakes up in a mental asylum and the remainder of the book is, basically, a series of interactions between Veronika and a number of the inhabitants of th...more Veronika is a 24 year old Slovenian woman who one day decides to kill herself, apparently because (1) "everything in her life was the same and, once her youth was gone, it would be downhill all the way" and (2) everything is wrong with the world and she feels powerless to make things right. After she takes an overdose of sleeping pills, Veronika wakes up in a mental asylum and the remainder of the book is, basically, a series of interactions between Veronika and a number of the inhabitants of the asylum, including a young schizophrenic named Eduard, who mainly stands around mutely and masturbates while Veronika plays the piano. Veronika (what else!) inexplicably falls in love with him, after she similarly inexplicably regains her joie de vivre.

I suppose, that tells you pretty much everything you need to know about Veronika, and certainly Coelho does not add much else in terms of characterisation. Some reviewers have pointed out that to create realistic characters or believable plot is not the point of this book and certainly not Coelho's intention. I guess one really has no choice but to agree with this as it is patently obvious that this is not so much a book as a meditation on insanity with characters and plot which are merely vehicles to convey the author's thoughts on the subject and encourage the reader to reflect on the same and to explore how they may feel/behave/think in similar circumstances.

Paulo Coelho himself makes a brief and pointless appearance at the beginning of the book to tell you that it is based on his own experiences as a mental patient and proceeds to bash you over the head with his message, which is that everyone is crazy, insanity and genius are two sides of the same coin and we should all let our inner freak out and stop trying to conform.

As a reader, I find this approach supremely unsatisfactory. For some reason, I tend to be much more receptive to the message when I can actually bring myself to care about the story or the characters, however unsympathetic they may be. I am sometimes able to forgive lack of plot or character development if the book is particularly informative or beautifully written or manages to turn me on or makes me think about a subject in a new and interesting way. Unfortunately, this book did none of that. Veronika fails even as a placeholder because her actions are so absurd and incomprehensible that I was completely unable to relate to them or to put myself in her shoes. So all that was left was the message and I had absolutely no patience for Coelho's particular brand of preachy self-help pop-psychology. (less)

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Oct 22, 2010 Joselito Honestly and Brilliantly rated it 1 of 5 stars

Pretty, single, 24-year-old Veronika decides to die for two reasons, both of them phony: one, because she realizes she will one day be old; and two, because a lot of things are wrong in this world. She then takes a lot of sleeping pills. While waiting to die, as if she's waiting for her cat to finish drinking its milk, Veronika decides to read a magazine and then write to the editor of that magazine. Which made the scene cartoonish.

This rare combination of phoniness and cartoonishness gelled and...more

64 likes · like · see review

Jul 07, 2009 Irina rated it 5 of 5 stars

Fantastic read! Awesome! I could not put the book down!

“Veronika Decides to Die” – just read the title again….decides to die…
How many times have you said to yourself, at least I have, “Ahh…I don’t care, I don’t really want to live anymore”, without even thinking about the meaning of it.

So Veronika said the same thing and decided to do something about it. Why?
Nothing bad had happened to Veronika, she was beautiful, had a regular life…very ordinary though ... but normal
She decided that it was not...more

62 likes · like · see review

Oct 25, 2011 Mostafa سليمان rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

واحدة من اقرب الروايات الي قلبي

مع انها مغرقة في الحزن بشدة

من اول البداية واختيار فيرونيكا
للانتحار وناجتها
والمعاملة
الجافة في المستشفي
والنظرات اللي بتشوفها في الناس
من نوعية
يا عيني يا حبيبتي
و عملتي في نفسك ليه

علاقتها بالبيانو
وباقي المرض

معرفش الفيلم اللي اتعمل ايه موقفه من الرواية

بس الرواية من الافضل للرائع باولو

تقراء في كوب شراب دافئ
في الشتاء
هيفرق

:)

18 likes · like · see review

Aug 11, 2011 Sundos Halawani rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to Sundos by: Majed Linjawi

رواية غير اعتيادية أبدًا! نصحني بها أحد الأصدقاء
أول صفحات الرواية تبدأ بمشهد فتاة جميلة، لاينقصها من الحياة شيء.. تنتحر!
لتصحو فجأة وتجد نفسها في مستشفى للأمراض العقلية!!
رواية تتحدث عن الجنون بمعناه الغير اعتيادي.. رواية من الممكن أن أقول بعدها أننا جميعًا أو أغلبنا مجانين بطريقة أو أخرى!
يوجد بها بعض التجاوزات الجنسية، بمعنى أنني لن أسمح لأختي الصغيرة بقرائتها! :\
أبدع باولو كويلهو صراحة، أعجبتني بشدة أكثر من رواية الخيميائي التي تبدو اعتيادية جدًا من نظري..
أقتبس لكم منها قليلًلا:
"المجانين دائمًا...more

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Jan 05, 2012 Xandra rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: depressing, humor, fiction-1950-1999, reviewed

The best way to describe this book is: it makes no sense whatsoever. Of course, you may say: "Well, Xandra, Paulo Coelho is a profound man, a philosopher, I might add. Not everyone gets him."
Yeah, ok. Can't possibly argue with that.
Now..
Veronika is a young Slovenian woman who decides to kill herself because her youth is almost gone and the world is a fucked up place. What? Yes, she is Slovenian. What do you mean why? I don't know why! I guess it's more exotic this way. Shut up!
God, I'm talking...more

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Apr 02, 2010 lita rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: novel-english

Saat Asa Tak Lagi Ada

Asa, Harapan, Impian, Angan-angan, atau apapun namanya, selalu ada di benak semua orang. Setiap kejadian yang menimpa seseorang, bisa jadi menstimulasi pikiran orang tersebut untuk mempunyai asa. Dan semua orang berhak untuk itu. Bagaimana seseorang menyikapi asa tersebut, semua ada ditangannya. Mau diwujudkan atau tidak, terserah yang bersangkutan.

Saat Sang Hidup mengajak saya bergulat melawan maut, saya dihadapi oleh dua pilihan. Pertama, menyerah pada keadaan, untuk kemud...more Saat Asa Tak Lagi Ada

Asa, Harapan, Impian, Angan-angan, atau apapun namanya, selalu ada di benak semua orang. Setiap kejadian yang menimpa seseorang, bisa jadi menstimulasi pikiran orang tersebut untuk mempunyai asa. Dan semua orang berhak untuk itu. Bagaimana seseorang menyikapi asa tersebut, semua ada ditangannya. Mau diwujudkan atau tidak, terserah yang bersangkutan.

Saat Sang Hidup mengajak saya bergulat melawan maut, saya dihadapi oleh dua pilihan. Pertama, menyerah pada keadaan, untuk kemudian menyerah pada kematian yang datang cepat ataupun lambat. Atau yang kedua, menganggap hal ini sebagai tantangan. Persis seperti seorang pendaki gunung yang berusaha tiba di puncak. Entah akan sampai di puncak dan turun lagi dengan selamat atau tidak, segala usaha tidak akan terasa sia-sia. Malah akan membuat hidup saya menjadi lebih bermakna. Dan semuanya saya jalani karena sebuah asa.

Pilihan, itu kata kuncinya. Hidup ini penuh dengan pilihan. Dan semua orang bebas memilih. Dan perlu keberanian untuk itu. Saya berani memilih untuk memilih kuliah bidang yang jarang diminati orang, saya berani memilih pekerjaan yang penuh resiko, saya berani memilih untuk selalu ternafikan oleh orang yang diam-diam saya cintai. Bukan karena apa, karena ada tantangan di sana dan saya yakin bahwa asa akan selalu ada. Dan saya bahagia karena saya melakukan semuanya atas dasar pilihan saya.

Keberanian untuk memilih tersebut terwakilkan dalam tokoh Zedka dalam novel karya Paulo Coelho ini. Dengan berani, Zedka memilih untuk melepas semua yang ia punya demi memenuhi asa terhadap pujaan hatinya. Meski hasilnya tidak sesuai angan, tapi ia puas. Paling tidak , Zedka sudah mencobanya. Keberanian yang sama juga terjadi pada diri Mari. Ia berani memilih untuk tinggal dalam Villette, rumah sakit jiwa dalam novel ini, meski karenanya ia harus diceraikan oleh sang suami. Tiga tahun kemudian, ia dengan berani menghadap dokter kepala rumah sakit tersebut untuk menyatakan bahwa ia tidak gila, dan keluar dari Villette dengan kepala tegak. Ada asa buat Mari: menjadi sukarelawan di Sarajevo. Asa yang sudah ia miliki sebelum “bermukim” di Villette.

Meski agak terlambat, tokoh lain yakni Veronika pun memiliki keberanian untuk memilih. Veronika, yang memilih untuk mengakhiri hidupnya karena merasa tak ada arti dalam kehidupan yang ia jalani selama lebih dari dua puluh tahun. Asanya terhadap kehidupan sudah patah sejak ia kecil. Sejak keinginannya untuk menjadi pianis dipatahkan oleh ibunya, Veronika menjalani kehidupan tanpa ada asa sedikit pun. Dan itu karena ia menjalani kehidupannya atas keinginan orang lain (yakni ibunya), sehingga hidup terasa datar dan tak berarti apa-apa. Matanya baru terbuka bahwa hidup ini jauh lebih indah bila kita hidup di atas keinginan kita sendiri dan baru bisa terwujud bila kita berani menghadapi tantangan dalam usaha mewujudkan keinginan kita tersebut, setelah ia divonis bahwa hidupnya tinggal lima hari lagi.

Sekali lagi, hidup ini penuh dengan pilihan. Dan semuanya ada di tangan kita untuk bagaimana menyikapi pilihan itu. Meski harus dilalui dengan susah payah, tapi saya yakin bahwa asa akan selalu ada. Saya tidak mau jadi Veronika…(lits)
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Nov 14, 2007 Bharath rajeswaran rated it 2 of 5 stars Recommends it for: all the irritated teens

I actually was glancing through a book shop and when suddenly this book caught my attention. I 've previously read The Alchemist and i thoroughly enjoyed it. But veronica was pretty awesome. In a sense, it was the truth of the western world and will be applicable to the eastern world which is actually involved all the time in copying the west. And from a very depressed state, with no great ambitions or desire in everyday life, veronica decides that life is not worthy of living and after a failed...more

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Jul 25, 2008 Roos rated it 4 of 5 stars

Recommended to Roos by: Palsay

Shelves: furious, novelia, buku-pinjam

Buku Gila berisi Orang-orang Gila di Rumah Sakit Gila dengan Dokter Gila yang punya Ide-ide Sangat Gila....waaaaa...semoga yang baca gak ikutan Gila....hehehehe.

Perkenalan Pertama dengan Paulo Coelho....setengah dipaksa karena ini buku minjam dari Jeng Palsay yang baik hati, cantik dan tidak sombong...hehehe, dengan niat kuat untuk mengembalikan jadi buku ini cukup selesai dalam 2 hari saja...Fiuuuuhhhh...*ngelap keringat di kening* ( Waktu pinjam dari Kopdar di Mbah Jingkrak...dibawa susah paya...more

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May 09, 2011 Mohammed Alsaleh rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

من أفضل روايات باولو على الإطلاق !

عن نفسي أضعها في المرتبة الثالثة طبعاً .. بعد 11 دقيقة والخيميائي
فيرونيكا .. تجن وتدخل مستشفى المجانين .. تقرر في داخله الموت وتنتظر لحظاته ..

وصف الانتظار ووصف شعور الجنون لدى باولو لم أقرأ له مثيل ..

ما يميّز باولو عن غيره .. أنه لا يغرقك في وصف الأشياء .. الناس الأشكال الظاهر التي تستيطع أن تميزها بعينك المجردة ..

لا !

باولو يغرقك في وصف الشعور الإحساس أعمال القلب كلها .. تتحرك كل عضلات قلبك اليابسة والساكنة لحظة أن تقرأ لباولو .. تحس أنه إنسان يتلاعب بالشعور ويغ...more

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Nov 03, 2007 LINDA rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: books

After reading the Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, I decided that it was time to read another of his works.

This book was about Veronika and how she had decided to die, and attempted suicide. She awakens from her attempt to realize that the attempt was not successful, but that she had cause damage to her heart with the medication that she had tried to overdose on and that she would die within days.

Veronika uses her remaining time to reflect and through her own self-discovery she realizes that she shou...more

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May 10, 2013 Bryan rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: on-my-bookshelf

3.5 Estrellitas(;
Una muy buena historia.
Su principal reflexion es; Darle el valor a la vida(':
Entender que hagas lo que hagas, desde el punto de vista de alguien; ESTAS LOCO! pero, asi es como debes vivir:D
Es una buena historia, sin embargo yo tengo un grave problema con Coelho!
Es demasiado explicito! si va a hablar de una enfermedad, se toma 10 paginas para hablarnos de esa enfermedad, con este libro creo que ya me gradue en psicologia, de tanta informacion medica que te da ._.
Pensaba solame...more

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Feb 25, 2012 noelle rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: do-not-own, ebooks

this shitty, whiny book in a nutshell, which is all it deserves: a simple, trite, self-indulgent allegory that poorly contemplates the similarities between genius and insanity

i think this is the worst passage i've read so far:

Vitriol was a toxic substance whose symptoms he had identified in his conversations with the men and women he had met. Now he was writing a thesis on the subject, which he would submit to the Slovenian Academy of Sciences for its scrutiny. It was the most important step in

...more this shitty, whiny book in a nutshell, which is all it deserves: a simple, trite, self-indulgent allegory that poorly contemplates the similarities between genius and insanity

i think this is the worst passage i've read so far:

Vitriol was a toxic substance whose symptoms he had identified in his conversations with the men and women he had met. Now he was writing a thesis on the subject, which he would submit to the Slovenian Academy of Sciences for its scrutiny. It was the most important step in the field of insanity since Dr. Pinel had ordered that patients should be unshackled, astonishing the medical world with the idea that some of them might even be cured.
As with the libido—the chemical reaction responsible for sexual desire, which Dr. Freud had identified, but which no laboratory had ever managed to isolate—Vitriol was released by the human organism whenever a person found him- or herself in a frightening situation, although it had yet to be picked up in any spectrographic tests. It was easily recognized, though, by its taste, which was neither sweet nor savory—a bitter taste. Dr. Igor, the as-yet-unrecognized discoverer of this fatal substance, had given it the name of a poison much favored in the past by emperors, kings, and lovers of all kinds whenever they needed to rid themselves of some obstructive person.

if you are filled with the incomprehensible rage that follows after utter dullness like this, we will probably make good friends.

so i actually finished this, and guess what! it was consistently awful. entirely insipid with a delightful dose of misogyny--outside of the entire premise of the book, a young woman just "deciding" to kill herself basically because she's bored; apparently veronika only discovers life is worth living after meeting a boring artist dude & and (spoiler ahead) it turns out her male doctor was drugging her with a medicine that mimics heart attacks solely so she could discover how important life is worth living. what??? in no way is this examined for how fucked up it is and we're supposed to just sit back and enjoy the shitty advice on how to live life that's being spewed. i probably would have enjoyed this when i was fifteen and didn't know any better, but i'm an adult human with critical thinking skills. i am not impressed with contrived, falsely "deep" drivel. y'all shouldn't be either.(less)

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Apr 11, 2009 Misha rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2009, loved-it, novel

At about 50 pages in, it's a little frightening how much I've identified with Veronika thus far, how much I understand her rationale for wanting to die. She can only see one path unfolding for herself, and it's one she can't stomach. I get that. But unlike Veronika I haven't given up hope that my path may yet fork off in unexpected and exciting directions.

I also read and think there must be a certain kind of comfort in going truly insane. Not this garden-variety neurosis I experience, but really...more

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Dec 21, 2008 Manny rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: too-sexy-for-maiden-aunts, no-redeeming-social-importance

I had heard so many things about Paul Coelho that I had to find out for myself what he was like. The reviewers all seemed to hate him, but a couple of our au pairs said he was great.

Well, I read Veronika Decides to Die, and in fact I quite enjoyed it! But I also thought it would be wise to quit while I was ahead.

5 likes · like · see review

Oct 08, 2011 Doaa Elattar rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

فيرونيكا قررت الموت لأنها لم تستطع الاعتياد على حياه أشبة بجسد ميت .... سئمت حياة اعتيادية ... كل شىء تفعلة فيها كما ينبغى أن يكون وليس كما تريد هى أن يكون ... سئمت الروتينيه وتشابة الأيام بحيث لا تسطع التمييز بينهم

سخيف أن تعيش الحياه كلها كأنها يوم واحد .... ورائع أن تعيش كل يوم وكأنه اليوم الأخير

اشتاقت فيرونيكا لمغامرة حتى وان كانت مغامرة الموت فهى أفضل من حياة شبيهه بالموت .... فيرونيكا علمتنى قيمة الحياة ... قيمة أن تحيا كما تريد لا كما يراد لك .... قيمة أن تكون نفسك لا أحد بعيد عنك تمام الب...more فيرونيكا قررت الموت لأنها لم تستطع الاعتياد على حياه أشبة بجسد ميت .... سئمت حياة اعتيادية ... كل شىء تفعلة فيها كما ينبغى أن يكون وليس كما تريد هى أن يكون ... سئمت الروتينيه وتشابة الأيام بحيث لا تسطع التمييز بينهم

سخيف أن تعيش الحياه كلها كأنها يوم واحد .... ورائع أن تعيش كل يوم وكأنه اليوم الأخير

اشتاقت فيرونيكا لمغامرة حتى وان كانت مغامرة الموت فهى أفضل من حياة شبيهه بالموت .... فيرونيكا علمتنى قيمة الحياة ... قيمة أن تحيا كما تريد لا كما يراد لك .... قيمة أن تكون نفسك لا أحد بعيد عنك تمام البعد لإرضاء الاخرين .... وكما قيل من قبل " ماذا سأستفيد اذا كسبت العالم وخسرت نفسى "

تعلمت من فيرونيكا الكثييير وليس من فيرونيكا فحسب بل من مارى وادوارد فجميعهم عاشوا كما أراد لهم الاخرون ... وأهم ماتعلمتة أن الحياة تتطلب منا بعض الجنون حتى نستطيع أن نتذوق حلاوتها

وتعلمت أيضاً اهمية التصالح مع النفس والصدق معها .... وألا أجامل غيرى على حساب حياتى .... لأننى فى النهايه لن أستطع ارضاء كل البشر وكل مايحدث أننى سأخسر نفسى ...

تمسكت فيرونيكا بالحياة واكتشفت حلاوتها بعد ان كان الموت على وشك ان يخطفها ... ونجح ايجور فى نظريته نتشبث نحن بالحياة عندما نشعر أنها ستسلب منا ... قد نتركها بإرادتنا ... ولكننا نكره أن تؤخذ منا عنوة

أعجبتنى الرواية جداً وفلسفة الحياة التى تحتويها ... ولكن بالرواية اجزاء كبيرة نفرت منها حتى اننى كنت ع وشك عدم اكمال الرواية ولكن اشتياقى لمعرفة النهاية جعلنى اكملها .... وبنهايتها قد نسيت السىء منها : )

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May 22, 2013 Book rated it 5 of 5 stars

In the arms of hope, lay the cure of her hidden destructive tendencies.

In my view this was exactly the lesson coded in Veronika decides to die and once again Sir Coelho managed to make me realize another subtle truth of life.

The book starts with Veronika deciding to die, reason? Her senses have ceased to feel anything. Veronika is overwhelmed by a silence that she thinks is normal to feel for a person like her. She believes that for some reason she is not like others as the hopelessness of the...more In the arms of hope, lay the cure of her hidden destructive tendencies.

In my view this was exactly the lesson coded in Veronika decides to die and once again Sir Coelho managed to make me realize another subtle truth of life.

The book starts with Veronika deciding to die, reason? Her senses have ceased to feel anything. Veronika is overwhelmed by a silence that she thinks is normal to feel for a person like her. She believes that for some reason she is not like others as the hopelessness of the world is strikingly evident to her eyes. Nothing inspires her; nothing draws a passion for life inside her. And the mundane routine of the society that she is living only deepens this void by each passing day.
Contrary to what the symptoms of her state should suggest, Veronika does not suffer any form of depression, instead, the most she seems to lack is a vision in life and vibrancy for it. Moreover she believes that no other format of life exists in this world and one day everything would cease to exist. So in her view, there is no point of living a life that has no search, mystery or adventure to it. Finally after years of observation (as it appears by her confessions in the first chapter and the narration actually sounds justified), the best solution she managed to come up with was to end this tiring (not excruciating or painful) daily routine by peacefully resigning to the arms of death. And so she gulped a handful of sleeping pills!

When Veronika opened her eyes after the suicidal act, what must seem like heaven as expected looked like a hospital room which was indeed an establishment for mentally sick called Villete.

From here begins the story of the book and the transcending journey of Veronika. As the days pass among the people rejected by society, she begins to see the hope for life. After coming across some unknown feelings and situations (for instance? That you need to read and find out yourself), Veronika is forced to move beyond her walls of insecurities and her safe zone by indirect persuasion of others around her. She also begins to contemplate the core reason behind the void that she felt all her life so far. And the worst of all, she must resist these new feelings because now it's too late. The sleeping pills having damaged her heart irrevocably, Veronika is now left with only a week's time to her life on earth...

Having chosen to die in peace, instead Veronika has to course towards death living it’s every moment only to find the meaning of life at the end of it.

The journey of Veronika not only grants a perception shift to the readers who at some point of life considered killing themselves but even to all those who are experiencing a hopelessness in anticipating a better present and future due to some pertaining situations.

Writing style is simple and linear as Sir Coelho prefers it to be to reach a greater span of audience. There is nothing else you need to know to pick this warm and spiritual read, rest all lie in the words Sir Paulo Coelho. I have only revealed in brief what the first two chapters tell you. There is a lot more to know. So grab your copy and get on with it!(less)

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Apr 12, 2010 asma Qadah rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to asma by: Shaqra

Shelves: friend-s-gift

إلى أي مدى حياتنا و وجودنا مرتبِطيْن بالآخرين؟ “يُناضِل الناس من أجل البقاء على قيْدِ الحياة، لا من أجل الانتحار”.

“تعثّرت، ثم سقَطت أرضاً؛ فأحسّت بضربة قاسية تلطم وجهها. و ظلّت تجهد لتتنفّس، لكن الهواء أبى دخول روحها. و الأسوأ من ذلك أنّ الموت لم يلاقِها. كانت تعي تماماً مايجري من حولها؛ فما يزال بمقدورها رؤية الألوان و الأشكال، لكن صعُبَ عليها التقاط كلمات الآخرين؛ فبدَت الصرخات و عبارات الدهشة بعيدة بعيدة، كما لو أنها تجيء من عالمٍ آخر. و بقِيَ كل شيء آخر واقعياً. فالهواء لا يدخل رئتيها و يُطي...more إلى أي مدى حياتنا و وجودنا مرتبِطيْن بالآخرين؟ “يُناضِل الناس من أجل البقاء على قيْدِ الحياة، لا من أجل الانتحار”.

“تعثّرت، ثم سقَطت أرضاً؛ فأحسّت بضربة قاسية تلطم وجهها. و ظلّت تجهد لتتنفّس، لكن الهواء أبى دخول روحها. و الأسوأ من ذلك أنّ الموت لم يلاقِها. كانت تعي تماماً مايجري من حولها؛ فما يزال بمقدورها رؤية الألوان و الأشكال، لكن صعُبَ عليها التقاط كلمات الآخرين؛ فبدَت الصرخات و عبارات الدهشة بعيدة بعيدة، كما لو أنها تجيء من عالمٍ آخر. و بقِيَ كل شيء آخر واقعياً. فالهواء لا يدخل رئتيها و يُطيع أمرهما، أو أمر عضلات جسدها؛ و رغم ذلك كله، فإنها لم تفقِد وعيها”.

أنهَيت للتو قراءة “فيرونيكا تُقرر أن تموت” للرائع باولو كويلو؛ الذي سافر بي للبعيد جداً في رحلة الموت و وضعٍ حدٍ حقيقي للحياة، تماما كما كنت أفكّر في الموت باختلاف الطرق و الأسباب التي اقتنعت بها “فيرونيكا”. في الأوقات التي كنت أقرأ فيها الكتاب، كنت أشعر بشخوص الرواية/القصة و الحالات النفسية التي يكونون عليها؛ إدوارد، زيدكا، الجماعة الإخوانية، ماري، الممرضات، و الطبيب إيغور. في كل سطرٍ؛ كنت أردد ذات السؤال “من المجنون؟ هل هم القاطنون داخل المصحّات العقلية أم خارجها؟” ثم “ما المعايير التي على نحكم على أساسها بجنون شخصٍ ما أو عقلانيّته؟”

“زيدكا” كانت تهمِس في أذن “فيرونيكا” ذات مرة “إن الجنون هو العجْز عن التعبير عن أفكارك. فالأمر أشبَه بالتواجد في بلدٍ غريب، حيث يمكنك رؤية كل ما يحوطك، و فهمه؛ لكنك تعجزين عن التعبير عما تريدين معرفته، أو عن تلقّي مساعدة أحدهم، لأنك لا تفهمين اللغة التي ينطقون بها” إذن؛ فالمجانين هم أولئك الموجودين في الخارج، هم “نحن” لأننا غالباً مانعيش عالماً غير عالمنا، و نعيش “مضطرين” في عالم لا نقتنع بما فيه على الرغم من أنه صُنِع بأيدينا، نتذمر من الأخطاء المُرتكبة على الرغم من اشتراكنا و مساهمتنا بها. “تقاسُم المسؤولية هو أفضل وسيلة لتفادي المشاكل”، على نحوٍ آخر؛ هل يعني هذا العيْش في عالمنا “الوهمي” البعيد تماماً عن الواقع؟

في اللحظات التي كانت “فيرونيكا” تعاني نوبات قلبية جرّاء ابتلاعها كمية كبيرة من المنوّم؛ شعرت برهبة الموت، بالألم الذي يجعلنا نرسم حوله هالة من الرهبة. فكرتي عن الموت كانت أسهل بكثير، لا أفكّر في الانتحار بالطبع، لكنني -كما يقول لي صديقي الأسترالي- لا أتردد عن قتل نفسي “ببطء”. فكرتي ببساطة؛ أنني تشبّعت من الحياة، و كنت أظن أنني قمت بكل واجباتي تجاه الآخرين كما ينبغي إلى أن ذكّرني بواجباتي نحو الصغيرين، فلم يكبرا بعد للحد الذي يجعلهم قادرين على الاستقلال بأنفسهم، و كان صادقاً! و لكن، ماذا عنّي أنا؟ ماذا لو كنتُ مقتنِعة بحياتي الحالية و أنني قضيت من عمري الافتراضي و اقترفت كل ما أستطيعه.

تصوير مفهوم العظمة التي تكسو الموت التي برَع كويلو فيها، تلاعبه بالكلمات ليشرح عنصر المفاجأة المخبّأة عنا، ظروف الموت، أسبابه؛ أمور أخرى جعلتني أؤمن بحقيقة الحياة المشبّعة أملاً. ليس من الشرط أن تكون متفائلاً طِوال الوقت، لكنه ربما عليك مراجعة نفسك إن كنت على رضا تام لما يحدث هنا. فهل من الصحيح أنه “كلما استطاع المرء الشعور بسعادة أكبر، ازدادت تعاسته”.

في الخمسة أيام الأخيرة لـ”فيرونيكا”؛ اكتشفت أنها لم تفعل بعد ما كانت تريده في حياتها الرتيبة؛ قصر ليجوبليجانا، بائعة الكستناء و الأزهار، احتضان والدتها، زيارة الكنيسة. هل كانت “فيرونيكا” تشبهني في انتظار اللحظات الأخيرة حتى أفعل ما كنت أريده حقيقة؟. تُشبهني -أو أشبهها- في القوّة التي تجلل ملامحي “ولربما تأثّر العديد بقوّتها و عزمها. لكن إلامَ أوديا بها؟ إلى الفراغ، إلى الوِحدة التامة، إلى فيليت، إلى حجرة الانتظار في دارة الموت”. و حين اكتشفت أنه لم يبقَ الكثير أو لم يوجد هناك ماتخاف عليه؛ أرادت ممارسة ماكانت تكبح نفسها عنه لعلمها بقُربِ أجلها حين فاجأتها نوبة قلبية، “لقد سئمَت من السيطرة على نفسها، سئمَت من الأقنعة، و من السلوك اللائق”.

باولو كويلو كعادته يكتب ليجعلنا نتساءل و نبحث عن الإجابات التي تناسبنا، تماماً كما وجدتها “فيرونيكا” بعد هروبها من “فيليت” غير مُدركة أنها لم تكن في الأساس على مشارِف الموت!.

————————————————
* ملاحظة:
النسخة التي قرأتها طبعة خاصة بمصر؛ مُهداة من العزيز سامي الحصيّن أثناء تجواله في معرض الكتاب بالقاهرة. كل الشكر أبو المهنّد =)(less)

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Sep 14, 2009 Merc rated it 5 of 5 stars

I am not sure whether among Paulo Coelho’s goals in writing ‘Veronika decides to die’ was to not only inform the readers of the exact location of Ljubljana, Slovenia but also to stir interest in its political circumstances in and around the year 1997 . If it was, it is safe to say that , that particular mission is accomplished as far as I am concerned. This book was first published in the year 2000 (ISBN # 0-06- 0I9612-2). The central theme of the book, contrary to what its title suggests is, li...more I am not sure whether among Paulo Coelho’s goals in writing ‘Veronika decides to die’ was to not only inform the readers of the exact location of Ljubljana, Slovenia but also to stir interest in its political circumstances in and around the year 1997 . If it was, it is safe to say that , that particular mission is accomplished as far as I am concerned. This book was first published in the year 2000 (ISBN # 0-06- 0I9612-2). The central theme of the book, contrary to what its title suggests is, living life to the fullest.

Predominantly set in a mental asylum, the tone and content of the book is cathartic. I salute and thank the author for keeping his promise to himself back in the 60s, the one he made to document the wisdom he gathered from his personal experiences in various mental asylums. Someone needed to speak for the misunderstood and perhaps feared non-conformists across the world. The author has made a case for people that have an inner voice, which they find impossible to suppress in spite of their “best” efforts . When this “disability” surfaces, it overtly , unfortunately and eventually sets them apart. When these people find no support from their families to be true to themselves, they experience what it is to have one’s soul squelched. He describes beautifully what it is to be strangled spiritually and mentally by one’s own parents (and well wishers) out of sheer, raw ,unadulterated love. But more importantly Coelho dips further into his wisdom and largess to offer an alternative to succumbing to this excruciating existence .
I would consider this book a self-help book for those that are non-conformists and for those that are not it is a revealing psychological journey into minds of people that are more in touch with their soul.
Coelho’s trademark style of writing is unmistakable. Precise, accurate but colloquial. In driving the point home to the simplest and the most alienated mind he doesn’t leave comprehension to chance, clearly explaining the technicalities of medicine in layman terms. In order to make all his points realistically he has created more than one character and pointed out the commonalities as well as discrepancies of their circumstances. He has brilliantly used chronology, political milieu, family dynamics, etc. to convince the reader of his thesis. Most fascinating is his usage of an irony within an irony, as he describes the mental asylum as the place where people are not only unexpectedly cured of their maladies but also for the exact opposite reason as the society would imagine academically . Coelho creates the perfect arena to spot light not only the dues one pays to live in a society organized by the majority but also the ramifications of paying those dues for certain individuals who are in minority.

I accidentally came upon this book. And I it consider a gift to society (for his other gifts visit http://www.paulocoelho.com/engl/index...) . It has validated, clarified and accentuated many of my suspicions and beliefs accordingly. The fact that all the characters in this book have/ had families that were well to do is striking and confirms my suspicion, that people that grow up in well to do families run certain risks of being misunderstood that their economically less fortunate counterparts escape. All the characters described are those that have their lives cut out for them by an over indulgent resourceful and expectant family. They are partially self actualized individuals. One is supported by ones own conscience as well as by the society at large when one stands up against abuse. But when one is suffocated and smothered by love it can be extremely confusing to even think of charting an action plan to exit the maze.

Among the many goals of the novel, one is certainly to bring hope to people who dance to the music in their head or march to the beat of their own drum. And this novel does just that brilliantly and not to mention realistically.
I believe everyone comes to a point in their lives when they need this book. When you lay your hands on it, I strongly recommend you to read it and mull over it. There is much to be learnt and accepted in spite of the simplicity of the presentation.

(less)

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Jun 13, 2009 Jimmy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ingin-punya

Belajar Menghargai Hidup

Berapakah nilai dari sebuah hidup? Seorang pasien di sebuah rumah sakit, yang masih ingin hidup lebih lama, terpaksa harus dibantu dengan alat pernafasan yang terhubung ke tabung oksigen karena dia kesulitan untuk bernafas. Bernafas! Manusia yang hidup ditandai dengan bernafas, entah itu bernafas secara alami ataupun dengan bantuan alat-alat pernafasan. Bernafas berarti menghidup udara, menghirup oksigen. Harga satu tabung oksigen cukup mahal. Bisa dibayangkan, berapa rat...more Belajar Menghargai Hidup

Berapakah nilai dari sebuah hidup? Seorang pasien di sebuah rumah sakit, yang masih ingin hidup lebih lama, terpaksa harus dibantu dengan alat pernafasan yang terhubung ke tabung oksigen karena dia kesulitan untuk bernafas. Bernafas! Manusia yang hidup ditandai dengan bernafas, entah itu bernafas secara alami ataupun dengan bantuan alat-alat pernafasan. Bernafas berarti menghidup udara, menghirup oksigen. Harga satu tabung oksigen cukup mahal. Bisa dibayangkan, berapa ratus ribu rupiah atau mungkin berapa juta rupiah yang harus dirogoh pasien tersebut dari sakunya untuk membayar oksigen, membayar udara yang seharusnya gratis untuk dihirup. Dia rela membayar semahal apapun itu agar dia bisa tetap hidup, tetap bernafas, tetap menghirup udara. Kalau diperhitungkan dengan orang sehat yang sejak lahir sudah menghirup udara gratis, entah sudah menghirup beratus-ratus atau mungkin berjuta-juta tabung oksigen, jadi berapakah nilai sebuah hidup? Tubuh seorang teman yang sedang digerogoti kanker, harus rela tersiksa untuk menjalani kemoterapi, terapi-terapi pengobatan lainnya, serta mengkonsumsi obat yang malah membuat perutnya mual setiap hari, hanya karena ingin hidup lebih lama. Dia ingin hidup lebih lama karena ingin berkarya lebih banyak lagi ditengah masyarakat, karena buat dia hidup terlalu berharga untuk diserahkan begitu saja kepada sang maut, karena hidup entah seperti apapun kondisinya sangat pantas untuk diperjuangkan.

Seorang pemuda dengan nekat memanjat menara listrik tegangan tinggi, dan tentunya ingin terjun bebas dari atas untuk bunuh diri. Alasannya sederhana: diputus cinta oleh sang kekasih. Seorang pelajar perempuan nekat gantung diri karena dia merasa malu tidak punya cukup biaya untuk bisa mengikuti gaya hidup dan pergaulan teman-teman sekolahnya. Ahhh,,,kesenjangan sosial. Penduduk di daerah Gunung Kidul bisa terpicu untuk melakukan bunuh diri jika melihat seberkas sinar yang oleh penduduk setempat bisa disebut “Pulung Gantung”, karena dianggap sebagai tanda kiamat. Dan ini membuat daerah ini menjadi daerah dengan tingkat angka bunuh diri tertinggi di Indonesia yakni 184 kasus dalam 5 tahun terakhir atau sekitar 3 kasus bunuh diri per bulan. Selama tahun 2007, sebanyak 121 personil Angkatan Darat Amerika Serikat melakukan bunuh diri karena mengalami stress di medan perang. Di Jepang, pada periode Januari-Mei 2008, telah terjadi 520 kasus bunuh diri dengan berbagai alasan, yaitu: depresi, terlilit hutang, masalah keluarga, dan masalah kesehatan. Memang, berbagai alasan menjadi pemicu orang untuk melakukan bunuh diri. Bisakah mereka dikatakan sebagai orang-orang yang tidak menghargai hidup?

Veronika, seorang gadis muda berusia dua puluhan, mempunyai pekerjaan tetap, dan menjalani hidup yang nyaman dan berkecukupan secara ekonomi. Dia juga mempunyai keluarga yang peduli padanya. Kalau bisa dibilang, dia sudah menemukan area nyaman (comfort zone) dan hidup di dalamnya. Namun, hidup dalam “comfort zone” ternyata telah membuat hidupnya terasa hambar dan tidak bermakna. Karena itu, dia pun sudah berkali-kali merencanakan untuk mengakhiri hidupnya dengan cara yang “bersih”. Sempat terpikir untuk melompat dari gedung tinggi, tapi akhirnya dibatalkan karena dia tidak mau meninggalkan kesan dan bekas-bekas yang dapat mempermalukan keluarganya. Sampai akhirnya, dia memutuskan untuk meminum obat tidur sebanyak empat bungkus, dengan harapan dia akan meninggal karena kelebihan dosis (over dosage). Tapi dia pasti merasa sangat tidak beruntung, karena ternyata obat tidur tersebut tidak cukup ampuh untuk membunuhnya. Obat itu hanya mampu mengirimkan dia ke sebuah rumah sakit jiwa serta menimbulkan kerusakan pada sistem kerja jantungnya.
Ironis memang, ketika sebagian besar orang melakukan bunuh diri dalam jebakan tekanan dan kesulitan hidup yang semakin membelenggu, ternyata ada juga yang bunuh diri dalam kenyamanan hidup. Yang manakah yang lebih menghargai hidup?

Ketika Veronika sedang menunggu saat-saat kematian datang menjemput setelah meminum obat tidur, dia sempat membaca sebuah kalimat dalam sebuah majalah. Kalimat itu adalah “Nothing in this world happens by chance”, ya…, tidak ada sesuatu pun di dunia ini yang terjadi secara kebetulan. Setiap kejadian ada maknanya, ada maksudnya, ada efeknya. Bahkan satu kepakan sayap kupu-kupu dapat memicu terjadi badai (butterfly effect). Tanpa direncanakan sebelumnya, keberadaan Veronika di rumah sakit jiwa itu membawa pencerahan bagi beberapa pasien lainnya. Pasien-pasien yang sudah merasa nyaman tinggal di rumah sakit jiwa itu akhirnya bisa melihat bahwa masih ada kehidupan yang bisa diperjuangkan di luar sana. Hal ini membuat Mari, Zedka, dan Edward memutuskan untuk keluar dari sumah sakit jiwa itu untuk melanjutkan dan memperjuangkan hidupnya.

Veronika tanpa sadar telah memberikan efek positif kepada orang lain untuk memperjuangkan hidupnya. Masihkah kita menganggap pelaku-pelaku bunuh diri di atas adalah sekelompok orang bodoh yang tidak menghargai hidup atau apakah kita bisa mengambil pelajaran dari tindakan mereka? Pelajaran bahwa bunuh diri bukanlah solusi yang tepat, bahwa bunuh diri hanyalah sebuah tindakan lari dari masalah dan mewariskan masalah itu ke keluarga dan orang-orang terdekatnya. Hmm…jadi siapakah sebenarnya yang bodoh dan tidak menghargai hidup: mereka yang bunuh diri atau kita yang tidak bisa belajar dari tindakan bunuh diri mereka? Memang tidak ada sesuatupun yang terjadi di dunia ini secara kebetulan, tapi masalahnya adalah bisakah kita belajar menghargai hidup dari kejadian itu?
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May 30, 2008 Pipitta rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Buku ini terbitan KPG, dan karena dibeli lewat internet dapat diskon 15% deh. Penerjemahnya Lina Jusuf, dan hasil kerjanya oke juga, bikin buku ini enak dibaca. Gak terlalu tebal lho, hanya 258 halaman, tapi buku ini padat dan sangat bermakna, sampe-sampe keputusan gw untuk ga baca lagi karya Coelho (gara-gara baca The Alchemist yang menurut gw ga oke) berubah, dan gw putuskan beli bukunya yang lain, The Zahir.

Adalah Veronika yang memutuskan untuk mati pada 11 November 1997 dengan cara menelan...more Buku ini terbitan KPG, dan karena dibeli lewat internet dapat diskon 15% deh. Penerjemahnya Lina Jusuf, dan hasil kerjanya oke juga, bikin buku ini enak dibaca. Gak terlalu tebal lho, hanya 258 halaman, tapi buku ini padat dan sangat bermakna, sampe-sampe keputusan gw untuk ga baca lagi karya Coelho (gara-gara baca The Alchemist yang menurut gw ga oke) berubah, dan gw putuskan beli bukunya yang lain, The Zahir.

Adalah Veronika yang memutuskan untuk mati pada 11 November 1997 dengan cara menelan puluhan obat tidur. Ia punya dua alasan untuk mati. Satu, hidupnya berjalan terlalu biasa, dan dua, dunia makin kacau balau sementara ia tak bisa melakukan apapun sehingga membuatnya makin merasa tersiksa.

Terselamatkan, ia terbangun di sebuah rumah sakit jiwa kota Villete, Slovenia. Dokter Igor yang merawatnya malah memvonisnya menderita penyakit tak tersembuhkan, dan sebetulnya ia akan mati dalam waktu seminggu. Veronika hanya tinggal menunggu hari kematiannya, dan ia putuskan tetap tinggal di rumah sakit jiwa tersebut, bersama-sama pasien sakit jiwa, orang kaya yang bersembunyi menghindari hukum, dan sejumlah pasien depresi—perubahan drastis apapun dalam hidup ini bisa menimbulkan depresi, pindah ke negara lain, kehilangan orang yang dicintai, perceraian, atau meningkatnya tuntutan kerja dan keluarga, bahkan kekurangan sinar matahari. (Hal. 69)

Zedka, teman pertama Veronika, ingin tetap dalam kegilaan. Baginya gila adalah menjalani hidup seperti yang ia impikan, bukan seperti yang diharapkan orang lain. Kegilaan adalah ketidakmampuan mengomunikasikan apa yang ada dalam pikiran. Seperti ketika berada di negeri asing, kamu bisa melihat dan memahami apa saja yang terjadi di sekitarmu, tetapi kamu tidak bisa menjelaskan apa yang kamu ketahui atau bantuan apa yang kamu perlukan, karena kamu tidak mengerti bahasa setempat. Dan kita semua, apapun bentuknya, adalah gila. (Hal. 78). Lagipula selain akibat patologis, orang menjadi gila bila berusaha melepaskan diri dari rutinitas. (Hal. 99).

Lain lagi kisah Mari—berprofesi pengacara selama 40 tahun—tiba -tiba sering terserang panic attack, dan kemudian memutuskan lebih baik tinggal di rumah sakit jiwa Villete walau itu berarti karir dan perkawinannya hancur. Dokter Igor menyatakan penyakitnya hanya satu: memaksakan dirinya sama seperti orang lain, padahal tiap orang punya keunikan sendiri, dengam kualitas, naluri, kesenangan, dan hasrat bertualang yang berbeda-beda. Karena masyarakat memaksakan perilaku kolektif, orang tak lagi berpikir kritis mengapa perilaku tersebut harus diikuti. Gila adalah perilaku yang berbeda, maka tinggal di rumah sakit jiwa menjadi lebih menyenangkan karena tiap orang memiliki satu kesamaan: beda. Pada akhirnya Mari memutuskan untuk bertualang –walau usianya sudah 65 tahun—dengan cara pergi ke Bosnia, karena baginya bahaya dalam petualangan itu lebih berharga daripada seribu hari penuh ketenangan dan kenyamanan.

Menjalani hari demi hari di Villete, Veronika mulai memahami dan belajar banyak hal tentang dirinya sendiri. Mulai dari kebencian pada caranya menjalani hidup; yang tidak pernah berusaha menemukan ratusan Veronika lain dalam dirinya yang menarik, gila, penuh rasa ingin tahu, berani, dan tegas. (Hal. 85), hingga mengalami hal-hal yang belum pernah terasa begitu mendalam—kebencian, cinta, ketakutan, kemauan untuk terus hidup—tidak seperti hidupnya yang hampa seperti selama ini. Namun yang terpenting adalah ia mulai merasa mencintai hidupnya dan tak ingin mati...

Membaca buku ini berarti juga mengenali adanya vitriol pada diri kita. Apa itu vitriol? Itu adalah zat beracun mematikan yang rasanya getir, dan menyerang orang-orang yang takut menghadapi kenyataan, sehingga membangun perlindungan berlebihan atas dunia luar, orang asing, tempat baru, dan pengalaman baru. Lama kelamaan orang yang terserang racun ini tidak mampu meninggalkan dunianya yang terlindung rapat dan bertembok tinggi. Kehidupannya berjalan otomatis dan terkendali, tanpa disertai perasaan—cinta, benci, atau antusias, dan akhirnya ia akan kehilangan gairah hidup maupun mati. Jadi, adakah vitriol dalam dirimu?

ps: review ini juga aku post di http://pipitta.multiply.com/reviews/i...(less)

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Jan 09, 2008 Annie rated it 4 of 5 stars

My first experience with Coelho was in reading the novel "The Alchemist." I found that I did not agree with the general consensus that the book was amazing but instead found it to be quite preachy and a little contrived. Granted, I did cut Coehlo some slack as I realized I went into reading the book expecting it's grandiosity to change my life. My friend Cassie was the only person I know who agreed with me on "The Alchemist" and in hearing her recommendation to read "Veronika Decides to Die", I...more

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Oct 22, 2007 Devi R. Ayu rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: all book lovers

Shelves: the-philoshopic-thing

Things that I can get from “Veronika Memutuskan Mati”

By Paulo Coelho

1 Juli 2005

# Hidup adalah perjuangan, seni dalam hidup adalah berjuang, isi setiap waktu dengan kegiatan…sesungguhnya membuang-buang waktu dan kemalasan adalah suatu kekalahan…membuat kita tergilas dinamika kehidupan.

# Lakukan banyak hal dalam hidup, cobalah hal-hal baru yang belum pernah kita lakukan…Nikmati hidupmu.

# Hidup adalah pilihan…tulis sendiri sejarahmu…Penyebab hari-harimu terlihat sama karena dirimu sendirilah yang m...more

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Jul 16, 2007 Dave Seah rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I've been reading through Paulo Coelho's books. The writing I find simple and honest in tone that is just slightly new-agey. However, at times his works surprise me with the occasional blunt phrasing.

In this particular novel, the theme is that of how people with unique perspectives are seen as crazy by the majority who do not understand them. The protagonist, a young woman named Veronika, attempts to kill herself because she just doesn't see life getting any more interesting. She doesn't succee...more

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Jun 06, 2009 C. rated it 1 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Not even my worst enemy

Shelves: undeservedly-popular

I totally, completely and utterly fail to understand this book. However, as typically befalls me when I read a book by Paolo Coelho, I seem to recall a moment about four-fifths of the way to the end when I had an epiphanic moment - when I realised that although I had loathed the book from the start until that exact sentence, I suddenly understood it and could comprehend and possibly even accept (though grudgingly) that other people could like it and that it could possibly qualify as a Good Book....more

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Mar 27, 2007 James rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction

I bought this book because I'd heard so many positive things about The Alchemist. For some reason, when I hear too much praise for a book, I'll circle it before actually reading it. Maybe pick up one or two of the author's other books first to get a better idea of what I'm getting myself into. It helps me approach the book I really want to read with more realistic expectations, and, I think, reduces my chances of being unfairly disappointed.

Anyway, so I picked this one up and wasn't very impres...more

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Jul 30, 2012 Майя rated it 2 of 5 stars

Short version
Big disappointment.

The plot (and the title) sounded so great. The book, however, turned out to be pretty uninteresting. Somehow the hazy image of Paulo Coelho as a wise and inspiring person has wedged its way into my subconscious. Now, evaluating his writing in conscious thought, I find him to be a sort of modern charlatan.

Long version

Big disappointment.

The plot (and the title) sounded so great. The book, however, turned out to be pretty uninteresting. Somehow the hazy image of Paul...more

5 likes · like · see review

Sep 02, 2012 Natascha rated it 1 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

1 like · like · see review

Apr 19, 2009 Liz rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction

This was really the worst book I've ever read. I don't know if it's a problem in the translation or not, but as much as I WANTED to like this book I just couldn't make myself. I got about 60 pages away from the end before I realized that I didn't care about any of the characters and just wanted Veronika to die and get it over with.

I think the worst part for me is that the author chose to write the second chapter about himself. Generally speaking, I think it's admirable that he wanted to protect...more

9 likes · like · see review

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About Paulo Coelho

The Brazilian author PAULO COELHO was born in 1947 in the city of Rio de Janeiro. Before dedicating his life completely to literature, he worked as theatre director and actor, lyricist and journalist. In 1986, PAULO COELHO did the pilgrimage to Saint James of Compostella, an experience later to be documented in his book The Pilgrimage. In the following year, COELHO published The Alchemist. Slow in...more The Brazilian author PAULO COELHO was born in 1947 in the city of Rio de Janeiro. Before dedicating his life completely to literature, he worked as theatre director and actor, lyricist and journalist. In 1986, PAULO COELHO did the pilgrimage to Saint James of Compostella, an experience later to be documented in his book The Pilgrimage. In the following year, COELHO published The Alchemist. Slow initial sales convinced his first publisher to drop the novel, but it went on to become one of the best selling Brazilian books of all time. Other titles include Brida (1990), The Valkyries (1992), By the river Piedra I sat Down and Wept (1994), the collection of his best columns published in the Brazilian newspaper Folha de São Paulo entitle Maktub (1994), the compilation of texts Phrases (1995), The Fifth Mountain (1996), Manual of a Warrior of Light (1997), Veronika decides to die (1998), The Devil and Miss Prym (2000), the compilation of traditional tales in Stories for parents, children and grandchildren (2001), Eleven Minutes (2003), The Zahir (2005), The Witch of Portobello (2006) and Winner Stands Alone (to be released in 2009). During the months of March, April, May and June 2006, Paulo Coelho traveled to celebrate the 20th anniversary of his pilgrimage to Saint James of Compostella in 1986. He also held surprise book signings - announced one day in advance - in some cities along the way, to have a chance to meet his readers. In ninety days of pilgrimage the author traveled around the globe and took the famous Transiberrian train that took him to Vladivostok. During this experience Paulo Coelho launched his blog Walking the Path - The Pilgrimage in order to share with his readers his impressions. Since this first blog Paulo Coelho has expanded his presence in the internet with his daily blogs in Wordpress, Myspace & Facebook. He is equally present in media sharing sites such as Youtube and Flickr, offering on a regular basis not only texts but also videos and pictures to his readers. From this intensive interest and use of the Internet sprang his bold new project: The Experimental Witch where he invites his readers to adapt to the screen his book The Witch of Portobello. Indeed Paulo Coelho is a firm believer of Internet as a new media and is the first Best-selling author to actively support online free distribution of his work. (less)

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