Veronika Decides to Die: From the Bestselling Author of The Alchemist

A thrilling tale of resilience and radical self-realization--From the international bestselling author comes an emotional journey on profound healing by challenging assumptions and overcoming life’s darkest moments with clarity and conviction.

This captivating and life-affirming tale follows twenty-four-year-old Veronika, who on the surface has it all: youth, beauty, and a loving family. Yet, she feels something crucial is missing. Taking a drastic step, she consumes a handful of sleeping pills, expecting to slip away from life. Instead, she awakens in a mental hospital, with the revelation that she has mere days to live.

Drawing from Paulo Coelho's own life experiences, this profound and thought-provoking book delves deeply into the essence of madness, exploring its many layers and celebrating those who dare to challenge societal norms. By questioning what the world deems "normal," this story provokes readers to reflect on their own perspectives and embrace the unconventional--wherever it may bring you.

In Coelho's signature style, this novel is a bold and emotional exploration of a young woman's internal struggle between despair and the possibility of liberation. Through her journey, it reveals the power of self-discovery and the courage it takes to break free from the expectations placed upon us. Offering readers a luminous glimpse into the beauty, hope, and potential of each new day, Veronika's story is one of transformation and resilience--and an awakening to life’s infinite possibilities and a reassurance that it is never too late to find the courage to live authentically and fully.

“A highly original, moving, and ultimately life-affirming book.” – Sunday Mirror (London)


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Published May 23, 2006

240 pages

Average rating: 6.92

53 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

Tiffany X
Dec 05, 2025
2/10 stars
The book begins with the main character Veronika deciding to die (thus the title of the book-no surprise here). Her character has not been developed in the slightest and yet we see her in a life and death situation and are supposed to care about her? I felt absolutely nothing for her and couldn't care less about her choices that she makes before death overcomes her. Everything felt incredibly melodramatic with no meaning to me. P.S. This could be a drinking game 'book'. Every time you see the word Ljubljana drink a shot of your favorite beverage. Pronounced Loob-lee-on-uh.
JShrestha
Aug 25, 2023
5/10 stars
I felt like this book could have so much potential but was poorly executed by the author. The message from the author concerning death, the meaning of life and the ways one goes through the motion had some insightful meaning but there is no actual set plot of proper flow for what this book was about in terms of a storyline. It starts off about the main character deciding to end her life because she just doesn't see the point and does not wish to see the future. It brings up depression and anxiety but not as a key value for the main character. There is a random interruption from the author to mention their context of a similar situation. There is stray of chapters to astrophysical plane jumps which doesn't really conclude to anything and then the book just ends to another character their story. Nothing properly ties together which made the whole book disappointing.

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