Author: Alex Michaelides
Genre: Physiological Thriller
Published in 2019
Rating: ★★★★☆- 4.5/5
“There’s so much pain everywhere, and we just close our eyes to it. The truth is we’re all scared. We’re terrified of each other.”
– The Silent Patient
The Silent Patient follows the story of Alicia Berenson, a talented painter who inexplicably murders her husband and then falls completely silent, never to speak again. Enter Theo, a psychotherapist drawn towards Alicia’s haunting art, and her enigmatic silence. Determined to uncover the truth, Theo takes on the challenge of breaking Alicia’s self-imposed muteness, setting off a chain of events and revealing the past in a series of twists and crooked people.
– Theo “the psychotherapist who’s one session away from his own therapy couch” Faber –
Theo is on a mission to unravel the mystery behind Alicia’s silence. As he digs deeper, his own caffeine-fueled life begins to unravel, revealing a crack in his marriage and his own fragile mental state. His obsession with Alicia’s case sways on the edge of professional and personal breakdown, making you wonder if he has an ulterior motive at play.
– Alicia “wrong place, wrong time” Berenson –
Alicia’s world turned upside down when she was accused of killing her beloved husband, Gabriel. Now, she communicates solely through her art, each painting more cryptic than the last. Her silence fuels endless speculation, but her journal entries—discovered by Theo— provide glimpses into her tormented mind. Alicia’s story is a haunting puzzle, with each brushstroke and diary page hinting at a deeper, darker truth.
– My Honest Review –
The Silent Patient will grip you from the start with its fast-paced narrative and unreliable narrator. The book’s pacing is relentless, pulling you under twists and turns that leave you questioning the truth until the very end. Alicia’s silence and Theo’s obsession create a tense atmosphere, the personal journal entries adding a layer of insight into each character.
While the plot occasionally stretches plausibleness, the suspense and depth make it a compelling read. Just as you think you’ve figured it out, another twist throws you off balance, keeping you hooked. The characters are well-developed, with their complexities and flaws making them feel real and relatable.
Overall, I definitely recommend this psychological thriller! It’s a gripping, well-crafted tale that will keep you on the edge of your seat, questioning the nature of truth and the depths of the human psyche!
Happy Reading!
