A review by sophiasoler
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

dark mysterious medium-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

3.5

im really really conflicted about this book. the first four parts of it were alright. however
the plot twist  was absolutely incredible. in no way did i see that coming. BUT! a good plot twist does not a great author (or even a great book) make.
the book spends much of the beginning meandering and
trying to convince us that theo is a good, empathetic man and an invested psychotherapist. from the beginning, theo is a little too involved and, frankly, kinda weird. his relationship with alicia (even pre plot twist) is weird and obsessive, and is repeatedly called out by the other therapists. he crosses boundaries and breaks rules from the beginning and obsessively hunts down everyone in her life. his interest in her is never because of empathy or sympathy, but because of allure and mystery (and then later it’s discovered because of a perverted sense of being a savior and some bizarre form of guilt).
i think he (the author) has quite an inflated sense of self that rubs me the wrong way. a lot of his thoughts feel insincere and unfounded, and sometimes he’s SO corny!!!!!!!!!! bc why did i feel like i was   reading a 14 year old’s tumblr post??? it felt like he thought he was being really deep and emotional, but it’s just lame and not even going below the surface
“i’m dead. my dad just killed me.” YOU HAVE GOT TO BE JOKING????? EMBARRASSING !!!!! it is so clear to me that he didn’t understand the myth of alcestis and what she suffered!!!! if this is your retelling, girl pls reanalyze.
i did (despite all this) enjoy the book, but i don’t think i’ll read anything of his again. not for me, and i have a feeling his other books are just going to be worse
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