The Silent Patient
Ratings1,160
Average rating3.8
Realized it was awful after 50 pages, still read the next 275 because I was kinda hooked, only to be predictably disappointed by the end.
I´m surprised at the praise this book has gotten. I decided to read it because it´s present in every list I checked on GoodReads and the plot seemed interesting enough. As it turns out, it is just another book made at the expense of psychoanalysis always getting a bigger hype than it deserves and a writer who has not done their research and who only wants an easy story out of it.
The writing is boring. Both Alicia´s diary and Theo´s sections are written exactly the same way, almost as if the author was not able to voice convincing different characters. So much so, that at some point while reading, I thought possible one of the outcomes of the story would be that the diary had been faked by Theo in some odd plot twist. Theo is portrayed as a hero that comes in crashing every other therapist work and breaks through to Alicia within days. Alicia was in the hospital for, what? 6 years? And no therapist managed to make progress with her. Obviously by the end you can see that this progress was only due to Theo being the one that caused the issue in the first place. However, if you reflect on it, a few other things come to light:- Alicia had a traumatic childhood and the picture this book paints is that if you had a traumatic childhood you are on the brink of becoming irreparable and, apparently, a killer. - In 6 years nobody was able to help Alicia trust and communicate. So mental health is shown as something that stays static. Stale. Not only that, but mental institutions are also portrayed as places that just holds the patients in a prison-like manner. It takes an unstable psychotherapist to be hired for her medication doses and therapy treatment to even be reviewed. This is an inaccurate and frankly sad view of what mental health treatment is actually like in reality. - Alicia becomes a killer because of a combination of her childhood trauma and what she is put through by Theo. She also then becomes even more unstable by deciding not to talk in order to mirror a Greek myth. It again takes a unstable psychotherapist to look into her background and realise the connection between her naming the painting Alcestis and her real life experiences. What are all these other therapists at The Grove doing? None of the characters are well written, but the female ones are just a disgrace. To pick a few examples:- Stephanie is shown as this “stickler for the rules” who only hinders Theo´s methods. When he insists on being alone with Alicia while treating her and she attacks him, Stephanie tries to stop him from being alone with her again. Rather than getting support from her management colleagues, she gets interrupted and ignored by her counterpart Diomedes who decides Theo can continue as he was. Diomedes is represented as assertive, independent minded and a presence that Theo seeks when he wants advice. Funny how when then Alicia attacks another patient and Stephanie takes control of the situation, the description reads “Stephanie was standing with her arms crossed; her excitement was palpable. She´s getting off on this, I thought – being in charge, and having the last word – how she must have resented us all, overruling her, teaming up against her. Now she was relishing her revenge”. By insisting that protocols are followed that demonstrably protect both Theo and Alicia, Stephanie is not being assertive, she is “getting off” on her own authority. She isn´t independent minded, she is resentful and vengeful. The author has made such little effort to hide the plain sexism in his characters. - Indira – The sweet stereotypical maternal figure that always offers a kind smile. The only times she talks throughout the book is in group discussions where Theo´s methods are being questioned. Those times she is always there to say “I agree with Theo”. Surely if she was in agreement with the methods Theo is trying to introduce she would have already suggested them in the last 6 years? If she had, then this means it takes a strong white man to come in and actually get these methods applied. If she actually hadn´t, then she is just another female character put in place as a decorative vase to support a male character. - Alicia –Portrayed as a mystery that just doesn´t talk and needs to be saved (even if by the man that caused her issues in the first place) or portrayed (in her diaries) as someone that just sits at a café all day and only feels safe when she goes home to have sex with her partner (who she also paints a portrait of as JESUS CHRIST).
I could have given it the benefit of the doubt and maybe endured the sexism if the book had been written at a different time in history, but this was written in 2019 and I expect higher standards from both the author and the critical reception this book has received.
Maybe a more talented writer could have turn the plot into an enjoyable read, but this author was sadly not successful.
I've read this book twice. The first read through, I struggled to get past the first few chapters. It only gets interesting from the chapters Alicia gave the main character her diary. On the second read through, I waited and searched for any foreshadowing that would lead the reader to suspect the upcoming twist, but nada. The twist just came out of nowhere. Overall a meh read, I have no idea why I forced myself to read it again.
This is my book club’s second book. Our first book was the Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose. I had seen mixed reviews so I was kind of nervous that this book wouldn’t be as good as our first.
The Silent Patient started out extremely slow and boring. The first four chapters were blah, I found myself rereading paragraphs. But then the book picked up and got better and better. This ended up being a great read with a satisfying ending. I’m giving it four and a half stars!
Uhh. Well, Okay then.
This was my first mystery/thriller book that I've picked up since Gone Girl first came out. To say that I don't read too many mysteries would be an understatement. However, when I read the blurb it intrigued me SO much that I just had to read it!!! & I have to say that I'm very glad I did!
Now, since I don't venture into this genre too much, I had no clue whatsoever as to how the ending would play out. (I suck at that kinda shit anyway.) I've read some reviews and I saw that some people figured it out, while others were like me and didn't. But, a majority of readers absolutely loved this book.
I thought that this book was great! It kept me interested & on the edge of my seat most of the time. Books like this make me want to read more in this particular genre. The characters were strong, the storyline was strong, and the ending took me totally by surprise.
I definitely had the “OH FUCK” moment when everything was revealed.
This is a spoiler-free review, so I can't divulge why I didn't give it 5 stars. But, I will tell you that it had something to do with the ending.
If you're on the fence about reading it, I say give it a go. Everyone's different, so you might like it, you might not. It seems that most people do enjoy it though.
I listened to the audiobook version of this novel. Both voice actors were great! I really liked the woman, her voice was perfect!
the plot twist????? chef's kiss!!!! my jaw DROPPED. one of the best reads this year!!!! 10/10 would recommend!
I found it dull, predictable and slow. I already knew what was going to happen by chapter 4
I don't think this book will stay with me for long, but it was an enjoyable ride. I think it holds together well and is worth a shot
saw the plot twist a mile away, and most of the time my dumbass doesnt even see it even if its right in front of my face so it said a lot for me.
overrated.
Ehh, don't get me wrong, this was a good book... but there was just something during the whole story that just didn't click for me.
Could have been that the story was mostly told through Theo's persepctive, and I didn't enjoy that, BUT it was easy to read and the plot was intriguing. Just kind of lost it's way in the middle trying to spin off into a lot of little side plots, that in the end meant nothing.
Spennende psyko-thriller med godt skjult overraskelsesmoment. Det er noe med språket som enten er for langt fra det norske jeg er vant til, eller så er det bare en dårlig oversetter, men det språklige trekker uansett noe ned.
The Silent Patient started off a bit slow for me, but once it picked up, I was all in!!! By the middle of the book, I felt like a detective piecing together clues. I cracked part of the case before the big reveal and I was screaming!!! The twists and turns kept me hooked! Definitely worth sticking with!
book & cook club November Mystery Books choice!!
I was hooked into this book, and it got its teeth around me! I had my gripes with it, mostly based on the pacing, but I really did like it. The payoff and twist were sufficiently shocking and tasty, yum yum yum I ate it UP! Maybe I'm just still a hater of popular things, but this just doesn't quite deserve all the hype it got when it came out..... tbh. ALSO just to add this as well, this threw me into a mystery/twisty suspense kick!
I know I’m the last person in the world to read this book! Without spoiling it, it was just too much of a remarkable coincidence for that person to get a job at that place! 3 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️!
It was a good story, well told. I did see the ending coming, so that was not at big a surprise. There are a few plot holes throughout the book, but I must admit I enjoyed the read.
Honestly? Meh. Only at the 90% mark the big twist was finally revealed, but up until then I was bored, often cringing at most of the male characters in the book and waiting for something substantial to happen.
The twist was alright, but I am not going to be thinking about or recommending this book to anyone, really.
4/5 - I've heard about this book from so many booktubers, so I thought I would read it for spooky season. And it didn't disappoint. It was more of a mystery, but the plot twist at the end was WILD as I would not have guessed it. I think my problem with mystery books is that I am always trying to figure out the plot twist instead of enjoying the book for what it is. That's a me problem, unfortunately. Nonetheless, a really good read.
Summary: When Alicia Berenson is found at the scene of her husband’s murder, she doesn’t speak a word. She maintains her silence through the criminal investigation and court proceedings that follow, through her conviction and sentencing, and, so far, for the entirety of her institutionalization at The Grove. Psychologist Theo Faber, however, believes that he may be able to get to the bottom of what really happened between Alicia and her husband and get her to finally creak her silence.
The plot twist in this had me sitting straight up on my couch with my hand over my mouth in shock oh my god
I really liked the buildup in the first half, kept me hooked to the audiobook. Later on when the author went more into Theo's personal life, I was kinda like “I don't care about Theo. Tell me what happened to Alicia.”. Little did I know that was all another buildup for the finale. Great listen and would recommend. 4/5.
The missing star is because of various holes in the plotlines that were not closed. (Max abusing Alicia, Paul borrowing money from Alicia, Jean Felix). Also, in the first few chapters Theo says the entrance to The Grove is so strict that won't even let him take his lighter but in later chapters everyone seems to be smoking inside The Grove.
That's the truth. I didn't kill Gabriel. He killed me.
All I did was pull the trigger.
I had really high expectations from this book as I've been meaning to read it but sadly, it didn't give that way I wanted it to give. Was it me? Is it because I've read too much Agatha Christie and I'm expecting it to be that?
Alicia talked. I kinda wish she didn't. That'd be sooo smart to reveal Theo's involvement while still keeping the plot's uniqueness (her not talking). Kind of a let down cuz that was def one of the book's selling point and I was expecting a big brain tactic from the author to preserve this.
Theo quickly found his way onto my suspect list. I knew there was something about his character that suggested he was more involved in the murder. Around halfway through the book I kinda clocked that and was, at this point, just waiting for the big reveal. Unfortunately for me, the ‘big' reveal was not as ‘wow' as I expected it to be.
It's veeerrryyy sad that I can't stop comparing this to Christie. That is on me and I apologize.
Nevertheless, I wasn't able to put down this book the moment I started reading it and for that I give my kudos to the author. If you are new to thriller books, I'm sure you would enjoy this.
The Silent Patient is a captivating psychological thriller that expertly builds suspense and keeps readers guessing until the final page. Alex Michaelides's prose is elegant and atmospheric, drawing readers into the enigmatic world of Alicia, a renowned artist who mysteriously stops speaking after a horrific crime.
The novel's exploration of trauma, guilt, and the blurred lines between sanity and madness is thought-provoking. The dual narratives of Theo Faber, the therapist determined to unlock Alicia's silence, and Alicia's chilling artwork create a compelling tension.
However, while the plot is undeniably gripping, a few plot holes emerge as the story progresses. Some of the revelations feel somewhat contrived, and certain character motivations lack depth. Despite these minor flaws, The Silent Patient remains a compelling and entertaining read that will leave readers pondering the complexities of the human mind.