Alicia Berenson, a famous artist and the wife of a very well-known photographer. One day, the world discovers she has murdered her husband and has gone completely silent. The Silent Patient is a thriller mystery book with psychological fiction by Alex Michaelides. When you first dive into the book, it explains the worldwide shock over the murder and the follow-up of Alicia becoming completely silent over the years. With the introduction of the psychotherapist, Theo Faber, taking a particular interest in being assigned her doctor, made the story quite compelling. Theo takes many risks in becoming assigned Alicia’s doctor, causing a reader to question his true role in Alicia’s life.
Summary:
A well-known couple, Alicia and Gabriel Berenson, are both very talented in the arts. Alicia painted great interpretive paintings, while Gabriel was a famous photographer. Suddenly, their fans were shocked when they found out that Alicia had murdered her beloved husband, Gabriel. Amongst those fans was a man named Theo Faber, intelligent in mental behaviors, and so strived to become Alicia’s doctor to learn more about the truth. As the story progresses, it reveals Theo’s trauma, Alicia’s diary entries leading up to the night of the murder, and many more secrets that tie the story up all together, shockingly perfect at the end.
Review:
The writing style of this book was slow paced, and took its time to detail every moment to highlight the rhetorical devices that were used in the story to make it more compelling. As this book is heavily psychological, the author took his time to explore each event in terms of emotions and what ways of dealing with those emotions follows. Although it’s definitely a slow burn, the book thoroughly describes what the main characters went through and the effect it had.
The contrast of characters Theo and Alicia starts to make more and more sense as the plot progresses, and everything within their pasts and present decisions helps to unlock the truth about the night of the murder.
The theme of the story can be interpreted into exploring the lasting effects of childhood trauma and how it develops throughout an individual’s life. It shows the complexities of their emotions and how those develop into a person’s beliefs, morals, or decisions. From the trauma, it also explores the responsive mechanisms towards the trauma, that being the silence, or Theo becoming a therapist to help others like him.
The plot at the start, was very engaging as the main focus, the murder was talked about most. As the story continues, it almost loses focus and was slowly paced so the reader might forget the whole time the reason for Theo coming in was to help reveal the truth about this murder. Reading it, it didn’t quite feel like the plot was fit for the story until the big plot twists came in, making it a very memorable and enjoyable read. Outside of reading it, you realize exactly why the author chose that style of structure.
The most enjoyable part to me was the build up, the descriptive parts of the psychological fiction and how it ultimately leads up into the most unexpected but perfectly understood ending. The dynamic between Theo and Alicia, between their traumas and interactions being revealed makes it exciting and understandable when it leads up into the truth of the murder.
The writing style and plot structure as a first time reader confused me and bored me here and there. I enjoy a quick pace in books, so this book being ranked as a favorite was shocking. As well as the eerie effect the book had while I was reading, made me uncomfortable at some points but that led me to overall appreciate the story more.
The Silent Patient is a slow, but an unforgettable read. It will leave a reader completely in shock by the end of the book, and further ponder the theme of the book. If you find yourself enjoying this book, I highly recommend other books written by Alex Michaelides, such as The Maidens. Each story he writes is extremely emotional and definitely impactful.
Happy Reading!
Love,
Sage
GFB Ambassador