Veronika Decides To Die

What is the purpose of Paulo Coelho’s presence in the narrative? What does his meta-self-inclusion suggest about the work’s semi-autobiographical nature?

Spirituality is a strong undercurrent of the novel, from the Sufi teacher to Veronika’s grandmother’s painting. How does spirituality inform and complicate the themes of the novel? 

Significant chunks of the novel are dedicated to exploring the pre-Villete lives of the non-protagonist characters, Zedka, Mari, and Eduard. What insights into the main themes of the novel do these digressions provide that are not present in Veronika’s story?

How does the novel present the concept of love? Does love propel or hinder one’s ability to live an authentic life outside of normalcy? Or does it do both? What metaphors or descriptive language are used to convey love’s function within the central themes of the novel? 

How does Villete “symbolize the worst aspects of capitalism” (12)? How does Villete’s status as a profit-seeking institution impact the lives of the novel’s characters? 

What are the pitfalls of using mental health conditions and abuse within psychiatric institutions as an allegory? Is it possible for the novel to accurately and respectfully depict mental health conditions while retaining its central conceits and ideas?

How does the Fraternity fit into the novel’s central concerns of defining normalcy and pursuing an authentic life? What place on the journey to self-acceptance and authentic living might the Fraternity represent? 

Why is the novel set in Slovenia? How does Slovenia’s recent past (in 1997) figure into the events of the novel? What would change about the novel if Veronika lived elsewhere?