Veronika Decides to Die follows the journey of a young woman who attempts suicide and wakes up in a mental hospital, where she discovers a new appreciation for life and self-discovery.
Veronika decided to commit suicide by taking an overdose of sleeping pills in her rented room at a convent in Ljubljana, Slovenia. As she waited to die, she read an article about a computer game made in Slovenia. The article began by asking "Where is Slovenia?", which bothered Veronika since most people didn't know where her country was. She wrote a letter to the magazine explaining Slovenia was one of the republics of the former Yugoslavia, intending it to be her suicide note. Veronika took the pills but they only made her feel nauseous and fearful. She lost consciousness and awoke in Villete, a notorious asylum where the rich could pay to have family members committed. A nurse told Veronika about her aunt who had killed herself, even though her family loved her. The nurse sedated Veronika when she struggled against her restraints. Veronika had wanted to commit suicide to end her meaningless life. She was upset to have survived and be confined in Villete against her will. The nurse didn't care about Veronika's reasons, only doing her job of keeping patients alive. Veronika stopped struggling to avoid further sedation, resigned to being trapped in a place where no one ever escaped.
Final Summary: Veronika Decides to Die by Paulo Coelho tells the story of a young woman named Veronika who decides to end her life due to the monotony and perceived hopelessness of her existence. However, her suicide attempt fails, and she wakes up in a mental hospital called Villete. There, she is told that her heart has been damaged and she has only a few days to live. Through her interactions with other patients and self-reflection, Veronika gradually discovers a newfound appreciation for life and begins to challenge the conventional definitions of sanity and insanity. The story ultimately conveys powerful messages about the importance of living authentically, embracing one's true desires, and finding beauty and purpose even amidst suffering.
This book is aimed at adult readers interested in psychological and philosophical explorations of life, death, and what motivates us to live. Suitable for those who enjoy thought-provoking and emotional narratives.
Get the summary for any book in 20 seconds!
