From back of book:

Twenty-four year old Veronika seems to have everything- youth and beauty, boyfriends and a loving family, a fulfilling job. But something is missing in her life. So one cold November morning, she takes a handful of sleeping pills expecting to never wake up. But she does - at a mental hospital where she is told that she has only days to live.

Inspired by events in Coelho's own life, Veronika Decides to Die questions the meaning of madness and celebrates individuals who do not fit into patterns society considers to be normal. Bold and illuminating, it is a dazzling portrait of a young woman at the crossroads of despair and liberation, and a poetic, exuberant appreciation of each day as a renewed opportunity.


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This book is brilliant and beautiful. I probably would have given it a '10' except that midway through it, I thought I was losing interest, I am not sure if it was the story, or me. I think it was more likely me. There were so many times while I was reading it that I had to just stop and re-read a line or a paragraph because it resonated so deeply in me.

Last night I picked it up and didn't stop reading until I had finished it. One of the lines from it that has stayed with me is ....... "If one day I could get out of here, I would allow myself to be crazy. Everyone is indeed crazy; but the craziest are the ones who don't know they're crazy; they just keep repeating what others tell them to."

I highly recommend this one.

Bookray Participant List:


1. Stacers1973- OR (prefers US- will shp intl if needed)
2. NMReader- NM (US only)
3. JenKazoo - LA (US only)
4. rebeccaljames - OH (prefers US)
5. Rrrcaron- NH (prefers US- will shp intl if needed)
6. cafekat- PA- any shipping
7. LaPitchoune- EU- (prefers EU shipping- will ship intl if needed)
8. hakkalina - EU - (intl shipping)
9. jeniwren - AUS - (AUS shipping only)

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

It's on the way to Stacers1973 to begin the bookray. Enjoy!

Thanks Wingedman for adding me to the ray, I should start it today or tomorrow :) Looking forward to it. Cool postcard :)

The first half of this book I was very rapt and could hardly put it down. It lost some momentum in the middle but then picked back up again for a very nice ending. Eduardo’s story was just as touching to me as Veronika’s and his actually made me a little upset. Veronika had kind of lost her zeal for life while Eduardo seemed to suppress his. I am not sure if I am saying this exactly right. The ending surprised me a little since I thought it would be different; I love when books surprise me like a gentle breeze on a hot, hot day. Actually the whole book was a bit different than anticipated and that is a compliment. Thank you for sharing … I have NMReader’s address and will send out today.

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

In the mail, 1st class rather than media, for the ten cent difference.

It has arrived. I am looking forward to reading

Quick update: I should start this in the morning and as it is a small book breeze through it quickly.

Well, I did indeed breeze through this book quickly.

This is my first book by Paulo Coelho. I have heard much about his works from Wingedmman and other friends.

I guessed how the book would end based on the early part of the book where Paulo is talking to his friend. I don't want to spoil it for others and therefore won't go into details.

I enjoyed the discussion That Veronika had and I also enjoyed that she learned that inside and out are the same just different places.

I am looking forward to reading some of this author's other works.

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

I have the book in the envelope and ready to go. I will try to take it to the PO over my lunch on Monday.

I just got this book today! This will be my first Paulo Coelho book so I am excited to begin reading it. I have one ray in front of it so it may be a week before I can read this one.

UPDATE:
04/08/09

I started reading this book yesterday afternoon and the weirdest thing happened. I checked the mail and there was an RABCK waiting for me from a BCer in Ljubljana, Slovenia. There was a postcard in the book of a gorgeous evening view of the city. I may send the postcard with this bookray since it is such a strange coincidence!

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

I have had this book entirely too long for as short as it is and have been finished with it for several weeks now! Sorry for the delay but I was waiting to make on trip to the PO with all the ray books I have on the same day.

So....this book was my first by Coelho and I really enjoyed it. The end left me wanting more. I liked the use of the two Veronika's and the inclusion of Paulo in the book. I really would have liked to read more about the other Veronika and how she heard about patient Veronika's experience with her father....but that would be a totally different book, I suppose.

Sending on now to rebeccaljames, Happy Reading and sorry for the hold up :)

Oh yes, about the post card I received from Ljblajana...I really wanted to send it with this book since it was such a strange coincidence getting it on the same day as this book, but alas, I could not bear to part with it. When will I ever get another post card from Slovenia? I am, howver, using the envelope my Slovenian book came in to post it in. I taped the Ljblajana postage to the back of the bird bookmark!

I received this book a while back. I will get to it as soon as possible. Thank you for sharing.