A review by dalek_caan
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

dark fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

This book was overall an okay read. It is definitely overhyped. The writing style itself was done well but that the plot and characters were lacking. In the beginning, I was incredibly confused by what year the book was supposed to be based in, considering the technology seemed modern but they were practicing psychology like it was the 1950s. Additionally, the plot from the beginning was clearly very focused on a savior fantasy. At the beginning of the book the main character says something along the lines of "This isn't my story, this is Alicia's," but then proceeds to spend most of the time talking about his own life and motives.
The ending somewhat redeemed the way the story was written, but it still rubbed me the wrong way until I figured out the direction the plot was going about 2/3 of the way through the book.
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