false 526268 0060955775 9780060955779 45 9 http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1175542782m/526268.jpg http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/526268.Veronika_Decides_to_Die 566 Paulo Coelho 178863 17176 3 2 false Fri Jun 01 00:00:00 -0700 2007 Mon Jul 16 17:05:01 -0700 2007 Mon Jul 16 17:14:10 -0700 2007
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 succeed right away, and ends up in an insane asylum, where there are a collection of people who are not quite as insane as one would think. I am naturally drawn to people who are think differently than the mainstream and somehow are able to retain their uniquenesses with dignity, so I found the premise of the book intriguing.

I reliably get good insights from Coelho's books, and I find them pleasurable to read. There is almost always a moment or two that I find incredibly powerful. However, the reason for my pleasure is that I project my own personal journey into the work; I suspect that others may not have the same effect on others who aren't questioning themselves in the manner that Coelho's characters do.
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