The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: Orion (7 Feb. 2019)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1409181618
• ISBN-13: 978-1409181613

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis

ALICIA
Alicia Berenson writes a diary as a release, an outlet – and to prove to her beloved husband that everything is fine. She can’t bear the thought of worrying Gabriel, or causing him pain.

Until, late one evening, Alicia shoots Gabriel five times and then never speaks another word.

THEO
Forensic psychotherapist Theo Faber is convinced he can successfully treat Alicia, where all others have failed. Obsessed with investigating her crime, his discoveries suggest Alicia’s silence goes far deeper than he first thought.

And if she speaks, would he want to hear the truth?

 

Review

Alex Michaelides has a background in writing scripts for films, but The Silent Patient is his first novel.  The book is narrated by Theo, a psychotherapist who leaves his job at Broadmoor Hospital to take up a post at The Grove, where Alicia Benson is a resident after being convicted of murdering her husband.  Theo’s narrative is interspersed with diary entries from Alicia’s diary leading up to the events of the evening of the murder, 25 August.  Alicia hasn’t spoken since that night six years ago, but Theo thinks he is the one who can get her talking again, but will his obsession of Alicia reveal the truth, or take them both over the edge.

Theo has a troubles background himself which leads him into psychotherapy, he feels he has an understanding of his patients.  He has an air of mystery about him, but I also had a sense of unease about him especially around his obsession with Alicia, which leads him to break rules at The Grove and potentially put himself in danger.  His character develops gradually through the book as we are a voyeur to his private life as well as his work with Alicia.  He is a complex character with many different layers which makes him an intriguing and fascinating character.  Alicia is also a complex character, the only insight we have is her diary which she keeps so she can voice her fears and thoughts without her husband Gabriel worrying that she is paranoid and having a breakdown. I found this quite sad, that she had to hide her  feelings, and can’t be her true self in her marriage.  There were times I wanted to throttle her and shout at her to just talk, but her silence adds to her vulnerability, and I came to understand her reluctance to talk.

Alex Michaelides’s background in psychotherapy really comes through in his understanding of his characters state of mind.  Both are damaged, but it manifests itself in different ways, and his writing and experience as a film writer,  is evident in how he brings the characters to life. The plot is a slow burner, that meanders along at a steady pace until towards the end you are caught up in an unexpected current that drags you along to the shocking and powerful conclusion.  The tension builds throughout the book, with what seem as two disparate story lines coming together with a brilliant twisted finale.

The Silent Patient is a fascinating look into the human psyche, and a masterclass in how to write a psychological thriller.  Alicia’s silence is foreboding , and is pitted against Theo’s obsession with getting her to talk, adding to the suspense and tension of the book; two characters in a battle for the truth.  This is an intelligent, chilling and dark read, and one I won’t forget in a hurry; simply sublime!

I would like to thank Orion books and Tracy Fenton at Compulsive Readers for including me on the blog tour for this fascinating and fabulous read.

Thank you for taking the time to read my review.  Please feel fee to share across social media, and maybe follow me on my blog or social media to kept to date with my reviews.