The Silent Patient
It is all about who kills him
‘The Silent Patient is a wonderful book written by Alex Michaelides. Chilling, intriguing, and shocking, these were the words that came to my mind, in the very same order after reading this book. Outstanding, this high octane offering had my jaws hitting the ground while I was reading the book. No exaggeration!!
But you must read it, to believe it.
Alicia Berenson is a famous painter who has been found guilty of murdering her husband, the famous fashion photographer Gabriel Berenson, who was tied up and shot. Because she took a plea of “diminished responsibility;” however, she is admitted to a secure forensic unit called the Grove as opposed to being sent to prison. Six years later, at the Grove, Theo Faber is a newly hired forensic psychotherapist uniquely intrigued by Alicia’s case. He requests to be assigned to Alicia’s care. Alicia is “The Silent Patient,” as she has not spoken since the day of her husband’s murder. She remains mute during therapy sessions but, over time, Theo reduces her medication, allows her to paint, and gives her time outdoors. She gives Theo her diary, wherein she spills a few beans about her life with her husband. Since Alicia fails to speak, Theo reaches out to her cousin to learn more about her. Alicia’s cousin recounts the impact of Alicia’s mother’s suicide when she was a child, and how Alicia’s grieving father said he wished Alicia to be dead instead. Theo talks about this traumatic childhood event with Alicia and finally, she speaks, telling Theo that it was the masked man mentioned in her diary who entered her home and murdered Gabriel, not her.
The Silent Patient is worth reading. It’s quick, engaging, and thrilling with a major plot twist. Therefore, it was an instant number-one New York Times best seller! Described by its author as “a kind of psychological Agatha Christie,” the book is more than just another thriller: it is “an unforgettable and Hollywood-bound new thriller “, If you like detective novels and Hitchcock movies, Michaelides book is the perfect blend of both, and you’ll certainly enjoy it. The Silent Patient is not merely a promising start to a superstar career, but also its inevitable highlight since it is oozing with “the pace and finesse of a master” on every page. This book is an immersive and hypnotic novel, the kind of confidently drawn suspense story that does not need big, flashy twists to keep one hooked to the story, but delivers an exceptional twist.
I enjoyed it, and I am pretty sure that you’ll enjoy it too, in fact, I can guarantee you that, once you finish it, you’ll have a sudden urge to recommend it to every book lover in your friend group.
Want to bet?
