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I think the main purpose of this story is to act as a vehicle to share the author's thoughts and philosophy in the field of mental illness/depression/psychology. As such, I found several quotes of interest:
Soon after Veronika first wakes up from a coma induced by an overdose of sleeping pills in an attempted suicide, a nurse asks her if she knows who she is. and Veronika replies, "I already know (who I am) and it has nothing to do with what you can see happening to my body; it's what's happening to my soul."
Coelho also shares an unusual view of God's decision to expel Adam and Eve from paradise, his actions to accomplish this goal, and the resulting effect of God's actions on Jesus and humanity in chapter 16.
In chapter 19, one of the characters says, "If only everyone could know and live with their inner craziness...people would be fairer and happier."
Finally, in chapter 20, Coelho states "...an idea only exists when someone tries to put it into practice." and "...to accept that life is an act of faith."
