For Jessica, yes, reading the book first and see if the movie rendition is worhty. That's what I always do. LOL. And This is my favorite Coelho book.In one his his many interviews Coelho said this is a book about life and death. Agreed 100%. It starts off with our protagonist Veronika's night when she deided to overdosed herself with sleeping pills. only to wake up in an asylum called the Villet, the doctor then explained how they managed to revived her but barely, she was told that she only have a few days to live. She then found and met interesting people. The horrifying treatments and the heartbreaking story of their life made me finish the book in one sitting.I can never really describe how much this book change the way I view mental illness. Veronikas situation is so colloquial that I felt the depression that drove her to suicide. But like any other person looking outside the box I also feel that her stunt earned her a place in the aylum and then I got to know her, like Zedka, Mari and most especially Eduard. In a society that one simple act of temporary violence is considered a disease thus said people are shunned by the public and most of their relative. Example: Mary, in a heated arguement with her co-worker pulls her hair, out of frustration. Said co-worker then pressed charges and Mary was sent to a mental institution backed up with paper works from a professional that labeled her as a bi-polar, Mary then was given medications that they think would help her "get well" and the result... could be many things. She maybe now suicidal, lost or even dead. I respect the professionals but I question the authenticity of their diagnosis. My point is, can someone really say one is truly disturbed, based on one given situation? Because for me people who annoys you or people who lost their temper and smash, say an ex-husbands windshield because she caught him cheating doesn't count. (ok, enough reality shows. LOL)Beautifully written. Based on Paulo's personal experience in the asylum. Prepare to cry. A life changing book. ( )

I thought it was a little slow to start off but it had a strong finish. It makes you think about life and reality. ( )

I would recommend this books to others, but would probably never read it more than once. ( )

Some love affairs with authors last only for a single book, while others span an entire oeuvre. For me and Paulo Coelho, it's the former. I loved [book: The Alchemist], so I thought I would love this. Not so much.All of the characters sound similar, and speak as if quoting from an essay. It's like Coelho is trying to directly address the reader, but hiding behind different characters. Which seems unnecessary, given that he breaks the fourth wall early in the novel and acknowledges his own history as a mental patient.If you're looking for a first-person "young woman in asylum" story, stick to [book: Girl, Interrupted]. ( )

Bestes Buch von Coelho: Diese Geschichte geht einem richtig unter die Haut. Meiner Meinung nach das bis jetzt beste Buch von Coelho. Einfühlsam erzählt er die Geschichte eines Mädchens, dass sich das Leben vor allem aufgrund von Langeweile nehmen will. Der Selbstmordversuch mißglückt und als Veronika in der Klinik zu sich kommt, lernt sie langsam was LEBEN wirklich bedeutet. In der Annahme sie würde aufgrund der hohen Tablettendosis, die sie genommen hat, bald sterben, geht sie über jegliche Tabugrenzen hinweg. Sicher eines der zentralen Themen dieser Geschichte: Würden wir etwas ändern, wenn wir wüßten, dass wir nur noch kurz zu leben hätten? Interessanter Gedanke, oder?