On a score of 1-5 stars (5 being the best), how do you rate Veronkia Decides to Die?
* Couldn't stand it!
0%
[ 0 ]
**
12%
[ 2 ]
***
25%
[ 4 ]
****
50%
[ 8 ]
***** Loved it!
6%
[ 1 ]
Gave up on it (explain why below)
6%
[ 1 ]
Total Votes : 16
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Message
sirg1006 Administrator
Joined: 22 Jul 2006 Posts: 2142 Birthday: 10th June
Location: Scottish Borders
Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 12:01 am Post subject: May Book Choice - Veronika Decides to Die
Veronika Decides to Die by Paulo Coelho
Discuss here your thoughts on the book once you have finished reading it. Did you (not) enjoy it? Anything that struck you or maybe someone else could answer if you have a question? We're not really looking for in depth discussions... just tell us what you think of it!
For those who have finished it, please choose a star rating for the book based on how much you liked it. What did you think of it? Do you have any questions based on the book?
Joined: 22 Jul 2006 Posts: 955 Birthday: 12th December
Location: Paisley, Scotland
Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 7:19 pm Post subject:
I have this one from the library, it looks nice and short. i wasn't too keen on The Alchemist, but it may have just been how I was feeling at the time So will def give this one a go. Don't think I will read the other one (Jodi Picoult) though. _________________ Currently reading: The Human Stain by Philip Roth
'Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.'
I read this last year too, and found the plot quite disturbing, although I must admit to being very moved by the last few pages. Definitely a thought provoking book. _________________ Katey
xxx
I've just bought this on ebay so am waiting for it to arrive. I had mixed thoughts on the alchemist but this one did sound appealing from the blurb . I don't think I'll read the Jodi Picoult book though . _________________ Reading: The Devil and Miss Prym by Paulo Coelho
2009 '1001 Challenge':
charlottestar Busy babbling when should be reading
Joined: 08 May 2007 Posts: 404 Birthday: 27th February
Location: Oxfordshire
Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 2:55 pm Post subject:
I've read this one before too so I'm going to natter on here a bit as well This novel I read it ages ago but I remember that it had a deep effect on me. I think because of the way PC treats the subject of depression and mental illness. I could relate to parts of it because I've been there so I found it comforting in a way to know someone else can talk about it.
The characters are a little flat or 2 dimensonal in my opinion but I didn't think it was really about characters but about humanity or life as a whole. Although Veronika herself is...slightly upsympathetic I did find I coud relate to some of her feelings of hopelesness etc and it did make me think about my life in a different way. I wouldn't say it changed my life but it certainly made me think about some things.
I probably liked it so much because of where I was in my life at the time I read it.
Joined: 22 Jul 2006 Posts: 955 Birthday: 12th December
Location: Paisley, Scotland
Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 9:52 pm Post subject:
I am a few chapters in and I am pleasantly surprised so far. _________________ Currently reading: The Human Stain by Philip Roth
'Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.'
Joined: 22 Jul 2006 Posts: 2142 Birthday: 10th June
Location: Scottish Borders
Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 10:17 pm Post subject:
Been a while since I read this so please everyone put down more thoughts so it comes back to me.
Spoiler:
What shocked me the most was how the doctor could actually lie about something so serious as death.
If you suffer from depression, the telling someone to cheer up is usually the last thing they need to hear so going in the complete opposite direction and saying you're going to die because of suicidal actions seems even worse to me.
But I still really enjoyed it. Was a bit weird Coelho putting himself in the story when the whole thing was based on his experiences in a mental hospital. The mention of his friend Veronika also felt very weird and although he fitted in, that section just seemed a bit out of place.
Will prob add more later if I can think of anything!
Joined: 11 Apr 2007 Posts: 459 Birthday: 22nd April
Location: Devon
Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 12:31 pm Post subject:
miranda wrote:
I am a few chapters in and I am pleasantly surprised so far.
Likewise.I wasn't too sure at all what to expect. However, Coelho has such a fluid style of writing, that even harrowing scenes become almost poetic in his hands.For example, the descriptive scene telling us what V. sees when looking from the window, would be evocative and poignant-if it wasn't for the fact that she's just taken an overdose. Even at that stage, I was still interested in "the view" so to speak, and not simply focused on what would happen to her.
Am not too sure why he has included himself in the narrative, but suspect that it will become clear as we progress.
I finally received my copy of Veronika today - so will begin reading this evening. I'm quite excited as it will be my first book of the month and to kill 2 birds with 1 stone it's on the 1001 list! Excellent! _________________ Reading: The Devil and Miss Prym by Paulo Coelho
2009 '1001 Challenge':
Joined: 22 Aug 2006 Posts: 381 Birthday: 16th February
Location: Upper Largo, Fife
Posted: Fri May 11, 2007 12:01 pm Post subject:
So, I just finished reading this (which is not good because I'm at uni and now have the whole train journey home with nothing to read ). I think I might have to reflect a bit more before my thoughts can be set out in any coherent way but my initial response was 'I kenew it!'.
Spoiler:
Did anyone really think Veronika would die?? I just knew they had done it to teach her a lesson. She learned it tho but not in a way I can really appreciate. I found a lot of the soul searching stuff a little vomit-inducing to be honest. I know, I'm impossible
I did like the idea that we all exist in our own individual worlds though - we might just bump off each other or occasionally merge for a while but we're essentially all single beings within our own mini-universes. Do you get what I mean
Will post more later - have to run off and finish an experiment _________________ Currently reading: Man in the Dark by Paul Auster
Joined: 22 Aug 2006 Posts: 381 Birthday: 16th February
Location: Upper Largo, Fife
Posted: Fri May 11, 2007 7:58 pm Post subject:
I'm back (aren't you all pleased?? ). So, to finish my earlier thoughts:
Spoiler:
I found Veronika annoying from the beginning. I didn't connect with her at all. I think the best character was Eduard. I presume he's based on Coelho himself. He does appear to have been treated unfairly - a definate case of 'parents living through their kids' syndrome. But I think he was genuinely in need of therapy (as we know it), not because he was schizophrenic but it did seem a bit like a nervous breakdown. And who can blame him with parents like that.
I think that Coelho inserted himself into the story to hint that it was based on his own life. Some readers might not have known about what happened to him and this was his way of telling them. Maybe??
All in all, I don't think I'd recommend this one. _________________ Currently reading: Man in the Dark by Paul Auster
I'm about half way through now. I was not a huge fan of the alchemist but I think I may be in the minority as everyone else seemed to love it. I find I'm getting on better with this though and hope to have finished it by tonight.
I'm still a little confused as to why he included himself in the narrative, dingsy and why mention the other Veronika - maybe it'll become clear! _________________ Reading: The Devil and Miss Prym by Paulo Coelho
2009 '1001 Challenge':
Ah now I see, after reading the other spoilers why coelho put himself in the narrative! I had no idea that he had a history of mental illness. Given that it still seems a little incongrous to me. I enjoyed this one more that the alchemist, I think because we do live in our own worlds and one is hard to explain or sometimes justify to another.
I liked Eduard who really seemed a victim of other people's misconceptions and misunderstandings, it's a shame that because he was not what he 'aught' to have been that he had such a breakdown.
There's a quote by Zedka that I found quite inspirational - "Now, my dear husband, you must ...make me climb some dangerous mountains, because I need to run the risk of being alive." That touched me because my fiance always says that I don't do things like go sailing etc. because I'm afraid of looking stupid or not being able to do it properly. This did make me think that I should just give it up and try everything that I've always been afraid to.
_________________ Reading: The Devil and Miss Prym by Paulo Coelho
2009 '1001 Challenge':
Joined: 11 Apr 2007 Posts: 459 Birthday: 22nd April
Location: Devon
Posted: Sun May 13, 2007 4:26 pm Post subject:
Have very mixed feelings about this book. I felt the characters came over as almost bland.I think that we were perhaps meant to see them as allegorical types, rather than individuals in their own right.I agree with Charlie, in that I never really warmed to Veronika. I found Eduard and his story much more interesting! Perhaps Coelho will write more at length about him (or has he done so already?)I was completely taken by surprise by the outcome-sorry nicnic, I just didn't see it coming. Novel or not, it didn't occur to me the direction in which it was heading. Throughout I found Igor offensive, and so this "brainwave" of his perhaps should have come as no surprise-but it caught me unawares.
I throughly enjoy Coelho's poetic style, and will no doubt go on to read more of his works.He tackled a very difficult subject-still tabboo up to a point, and overall I think he was succesful. His thoughts on the meaning of life, and the definitions of madness were profound and moving. The occasional satirical comment was appreciated too! It's ceratainly given me some food for thought.
It's been a while since I read this, but I do remember being quite surprised at the outcome. I enjoyed the book, but as others have said, I found the part where Coelho included himself in the narrative a bit disjointed. I actually did like the character of Veronika - she wasn't as sympathetic a character as she could have been, but I think it was a good move to make a not instantly likeable person. I could identify with some of her feelings, and how even though she seemed to have plenty of good things in her life, it did not make her happy. I have felt that way myself in the past.
Eduard was my favourite character, and probably the most sympathetic character in the whole book. It was hard not to feel incredibly sorry for him, for all that he had suffered through not being what his family hoped he would be.
Joined: 22 Jul 2006 Posts: 955 Birthday: 12th December
Location: Paisley, Scotland
Posted: Mon May 21, 2007 6:34 pm Post subject:
Spoiler:
I really enjoyed this book which was a surprise to me, as I hadn't enoyed 'The Alchemist', however I felt this one was much more straightforward. I like the idea of tackling the tough question 'What is the point of life?' and only offering the solution - life is the point (and maybe love). I could really empathise with the feelings of dispair felt by Veronika, and her desperation to really feel something. I was so glad she didn't die at the end - I did not see that coming, I am always rubbish at second guessing these things! So overall an interesting, thought-provoking read.
I also can't understand why Coehlo included himself in the novel.
_________________ Currently reading: The Human Stain by Philip Roth
'Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.'
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Born 30/12/08
So will def give this one a go. Don't think I will read the other one (Jodi Picoult) though.
this sounds intriguing and quite thought provoking too.
. I don't think I'll read the Jodi Picoult book though 
). I think I might have to reflect a bit more before my thoughts can be set out in any coherent way but my initial response was 'I kenew it!'.
). So, to finish my earlier thoughts:
I find I'm getting on better with this though and hope to have finished it by tonight. 