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nalirosey's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting
good_peony's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gun violence, and Mental illness
Moderate: Suicide and Toxic relationship
yasaman's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Addiction, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Infidelity, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Stalking, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Vomit
maroar's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, and Gaslighting
maddie_0930's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Mental illness, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Death, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail
justinecass's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
- did not like the characters at all, in fact, I despise the narrator (therapist)
- the book is hella fast paced and keeps you on your toes but the "twist" was disappointing
- so so many unanswered questions
- characters could have been explored differently or in more depth in many cases
- I actually still don't understand why the main character was silent for so long...
- the therapy displayed in the book is the worst (and so unethical with loads of boundaries crossed)
Moderate: Death, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Suicide attempt, and Murder
kyrie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Suicide and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Fatphobia
asipofcozy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Let's start with what I liked about the book. I really loved this premise of this women (Alicia) killing her husband and never speaking another word. I enjoyed some of the plot building up to it and weaving in the story of Theo (the psychotherapist). When we were given the diary of Alicia, I devoured those pages. Towards the end I did start to see the story weave together, and I can see why many people enjoy the suspense of this book. And the ending does leave you with that "oh my god" moment. That is, if you don't read spoiler reviews or watch tik Tok videos on it.
Now let's get to the parts I really just do not like.
- None of the characters are lovable/redeemable - especially our main character Theo. A lot of the time I was annoyed with Theo and his internalized monologue. I can't even begin to explain where this dislike comes from. Maybe it was his righteous attitude and how he feels that patient's need to be "saved" and he is the one to do it. Maybe it's because he thinks he is above all and that his feelings are more important than others. Or maybe it's just his smug attitude.
- Every therapist in this book is professionally unqualified - I don't think Michaelides knows much about psychology and/or psychotherapy. As someone that went to school for psychology there was a lot of inaccurate statements given whether it was giving "advice" to the medication suggestions. Once again, this is fiction and I understand that, but it irked me in the wrong way. For example, you don't just decide to lower a dosage for a patient without a lot of consultations and tapering - meaning you do it in very small increments over a period of time. Second, these sessions that Theo has and his clear obsession would not be conducted in any manner. In fact if a board of director saw you becoming obsessed with a patient you would normally be taken off said patient. There was also a lot of "off the books" situations which is very unethical. In fact most of the male doctors would have their licenses stripped if they pulled half that shit in any real clinic.
- How women are viewed - not saying that Michaelides views women in a bad light, but he definitely paints it that way in The Secret Patient. Every single patient in The Grove (mental hospital) are women. Now, if this is mentioned in the book earlier, I missed it. However, it's how the women are treated. Instead of saying these women have mental health issues that they are battling, the male doctors will say they are "crazy" and or "bitches" or "crazy bitches". Even the main female characters Kathy (Theo's wife) and Alicia will call themselves crazy at times. As if as a woman that's all we can be is crazy or bitches. On top of that it's how the male doctors treat the two female doctors. It seems like there is a female board of director but the manager of the grove will consistently talk over her or is okay with going behind her back. Theo will do the same thing with the other female doctors in the book. The females in this book are not taken seriously nor do they get much of a voice. Women are portrayed in the darkest stereotypical light - we are gossipers, liars, crazy, tiresome, disloyal, delusional, vengeful, insecure, and annoying.
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Infidelity, Mental illness, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Minor: Sexual assault and Suicide
men1e's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Medical trauma, Stalking, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
bookswithmaia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Infidelity, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Child abuse, Car accident, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Addiction and Alcohol