"The Silent Patient" by Alex Michaelides

by Alex Michaelides (Author)

"The Silent Patient" by Alex Michaelides is a gripping psychological thriller that has captivated readers worldwide. The novel follows Alicia Berenson, a renowned artist who seemingly has it all until she is convicted of brutally murdering her husband and then stops speaking entirely. Theo Faber, a psychotherapist, becomes obsessed with Alicia's case and is determined to unravel the mystery behind her silence.

The narrative alternates between Alicia's present-day life in a psychiatric facility and Theo's relentless pursuit of the truth. As Theo delves deeper into Alicia's past and the events leading up to the murder, he uncovers shocking secrets and unexpected connections. The suspense builds steadily, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as they are propelled towards a surprising and intense climax.

In her daily journal, Alicia elaborates on her love for her husband, Gabriel. She claims she can't see him worried or in pain and that she doesn't want to hurt him. After that, Alicia shoots Gabriel five times in the head one evening. She becomes permanently stupid as a result, not avoiding that. Theo thinks he can get her to open up and embrace her wrongdoing six years later. He makes the decision to peel back the layers, and in doing so, learns that Alicia is far more complex than he had previously imagined.

The Silent Patient is an insight into people’s minds, like a maze, holding the readers captive in the book. It is the first novel by Alex Michaelides which debuted on The New York Times Best Seller list at No. 1 and won the Goodreads Choice Award 2019 in the Mystery and Thriller category. As quoted by Entertainment Weekly, The Silent Patient is -

"An unforgettable―and Hollywood-bound―new thriller... A mix of Hitchcockian suspense, Agatha Christie plotting, and Greek tragedy."

 

Summary

“I can’t bear the thought of him worrying about me. I don’t ever want to cause him any distress or make him unhappy or cause him pain. I love Gabriel so much.”

In her diary, Alicia notes that her husband Gabriel is the only reason she has ever written. Since he learned that Alicia was angry over something, he gave her the diary—she's not sure whether to call it a diary, a journal, or something else—to write down anything she feels. And she claims that it does. Alicia adores her husband; she is madly in love with him, and he claims that Gabriel feels the same way about her.

Theo informs us that Alicia shot her husband five times in the head six years ago, tried to commit suicide, and is now a patient at The Grove, a secure forensic facility. Alicia maintained her composure during her interrogation, trial, and subsequent imprisonment, in contrast to some accused who scream their lungs out to prove their innocence. She was placed under home arrest a few days after her trial due to her health. She created a self-portrait at the time and titled it Alcestis.

    “But let us not forget that while Alicia Berenson may be a murderer, she was also an artist. It makes perfect sense - to me at least - that she would pick up her brush and paints, and express her complicated emotions on canvas.”

Theo's personal life is the subject of a third storyline, which primarily focuses on his early years and his wife Kathy. Kathy is a theatre professional. Through their ex-partners, they met each other. From the moment they met, they grew to love and lust for one other, getting married as a result.

As the story nears its finale, a connection is made by an artist, a photographer, a theatre performer, and a psychiatrist. At one point, the three stories overlap, flipping the entire narrative upside down.

“The facts, such as they were, were simple. Alicia was found alone with Gabriel’s body; only her fingerprints were on the gun. There was never any doubt she killed Gabriel. Why she killed him, on the other hand, remained a mystery.”

One of the notable strengths of "The Silent Patient" lies in its well-crafted characters. Alicia Berenson is enigmatic and mysterious, while Theo Faber is a complex and flawed protagonist. The author expertly explores themes of trauma, mental health, and the power of silence, creating a thought-provoking narrative that lingers in the minds of readers.

Michaelides' writing style is compelling and concise, driving the story forward with precise pacing and a clever use of twists and turns. The author's background in psychology is evident in his ability to delve into the depths of the human mind and deliver a psychological thriller that keeps readers guessing until the final pages.

"The Silent Patient" has been praised for its skillful plotting, atmospheric setting, and a well-executed twist that leaves readers stunned. It has garnered widespread acclaim, becoming an international bestseller and captivating a broad range of readers with its addictive and suspenseful storyline.

Overall, "The Silent Patient" is a gripping and immersive psychological thriller that offers a fascinating exploration of human psychology, obsession, and the complexities of silence. If you enjoy suspenseful reads that keep you guessing until the very end, this book is definitely worth picking up.

Overall, I think The Silent Patient is an enjoyable book with a clever plot twist. It stands out in a special way. It has been effectively demonstrated in this that buried emotions are not actually dead; rather, they are only inactive for a while. The one-liners from well-known people at the start of each chapter help the readers get ready for what's to come. It is not one of those books you can stop reading in the middle of. All but one story have been told, and you are not allowed to leave without hearing it.

 “Unexpressed emotions will never die. They are buried alive and will come forth later, in uglier ways. Sigmund Freud”