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A review by joyceheinen
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Gabriel and Alicia Berenson have been married for seven years when Alicia shoots her husband in the face five times. She doesn’t say a thing and Alicia is committed to The Grove, a psychiatric clinic. Now, six years later, she still hasn’t said a single word since that night. Theo Faber is a psychotherapist and applies for a job at The Grove. Theo is convinced he is the right person to break Alicia’s silence that will finally unravel the mystery surrounding the drama.
“The Silent Patient” is the debut novel of author Alex Michaelides. In the book we follow three storylines: Diary entries from Alicia, Theo’s private life and the contact between Theo and Alicia in the clinic. And the way these eventually blend together is so well-done.
Theo is clearly fascinated by the tragedy of Gabriel’s murder and Alicia’s silence. The contact between Theo and Alicia feels very realistic, this due to the background of Michaelides life as a therapist himself. To better understand Alicia, Theo delves into her past and the discoveries he makes in the process, together with the diary, form a clear sketch of the personality behind the mysterious woman. The main characters are well-developed, the other characters add more mystery to the story.
“The Silent Patient” is a carefully constructed story that constantly gives the reader the feeling that something is not right. What exactly is not right remains in the dark for a long time, ensuring that the story becomes and remains suspenseful and ominous.
This is one of the best debut novels I have ever read, with a reveal and twist I could have never expected. A new all-time favorite, for sure. I also read Michaelides second novel, “The Maidens”, last year, which I also loved. I will now read anything he writes.
“The Silent Patient” is the debut novel of author Alex Michaelides. In the book we follow three storylines: Diary entries from Alicia, Theo’s private life and the contact between Theo and Alicia in the clinic. And the way these eventually blend together is so well-done.
Theo is clearly fascinated by the tragedy of Gabriel’s murder and Alicia’s silence. The contact between Theo and Alicia feels very realistic, this due to the background of Michaelides life as a therapist himself. To better understand Alicia, Theo delves into her past and the discoveries he makes in the process, together with the diary, form a clear sketch of the personality behind the mysterious woman. The main characters are well-developed, the other characters add more mystery to the story.
“The Silent Patient” is a carefully constructed story that constantly gives the reader the feeling that something is not right. What exactly is not right remains in the dark for a long time, ensuring that the story becomes and remains suspenseful and ominous.
This is one of the best debut novels I have ever read, with a reveal and twist I could have never expected. A new all-time favorite, for sure. I also read Michaelides second novel, “The Maidens”, last year, which I also loved. I will now read anything he writes.