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The Silent Patient Book Review & Summary
Book Title: The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
Number of Pages: 336
Audiobook Narrated by: Jack Hawkins and Louise Brealey
Listening Length: 8 hours and 51 minutes
Goodreads rating: 4.18 (1,570,815 ratings)
Published in: 2019
Summary of The Silent Patient
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- The Instant #1 New York Times Bestseller
Alicia Berenson’s life is seemingly perfect. A famous painter married to an in-demand fashion photographer, she lives in a grand house with big windows overlooking a park in one of London’s most desirable areas. One evening her husband Gabriel returns home late from a fashion shoot, and Alicia shoots him five times in the face, and then never speaks another word.
Alicia’s refusal to talk, or give any kind of explanation, turns a domestic tragedy into something far grander, a mystery that captures the public imagination and casts Alicia into notoriety. The price of her art skyrockets, and she, the silent patient, is hidden away from the tabloids and spotlight at the Grove, a secure forensic unit in North London.
Theo Faber is a criminal psychotherapist who has waited a long time for the opportunity to work with Alicia. His determination to get her to talk and unravel the mystery of why she shot her husband takes him down a twisting path into his own motivations―a search for the truth that threatens to consume him
Praise for The Silent Patient
“Impressive first novel… with an ending worthy of a classic Agatha Christie mystery.”
―The Wall Street Journal
“Superb… This edgy, intricately plotted psychological thriller establishes Michaelides as a major player in the field.”
―Publisher’s Weekly, starred review
“Pulling off a novel where the protagonist stays mum isn’t easy, but this impressive, immersive debut―Brad Pitt’s company has snapped up film rights―establishes Michaelides as a writer to watch.”
―People, Book of the Week
“Impressive debut…The Silent Patient is intelligent, imaginative and a terrific read.”
―The Times (London), Book of the Month
“The Silent Patient may be a first novel, but it has the pace and finesse of a master.”
―BBC
“That rarest of beasts: the perfect thriller. This extraordinary novel set my blood fizzing―I quite literally couldn’t put it down. I told myself I’d just dip in; eleven hours later―it’s now 5:47 a.m.―I’ve finished it, absolutely dazzled.”
―A. J. Finn, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Woman in the Window
“The Silent Patient sneaks up on you like a slash of intimidating shadow on a badly lit street. Alex Michaelides has crafted a totally original, spellbinding psychological mystery so quirky, so unique that it should have its own genre. I read it in two nights and savored every luscious word, every grim encounter, every startling twist. The pages will burn with the friction from your hands turning them.”
―David Baldacci
Quotes from The Silent Patient:
we often mistake love for fireworks – for drama and dysfunction. But real love is very quiet, very still. It’s boring, if seen from the perspective of high drama. Love is deep and calm – and constant.”
― Alex Michaelides, The Silent Patient
Remember, love that doesn’t include honesty doesn’t deserve to be called love.”
― Alex Michaelides, The Silent Patient
Choosing a lover is a lot like choosing a therapist. We need to ask ourselves, is this someone who will be honest with me, listen to criticism, admit making mistakes, and not promise the impossible?”
― Alex Michaelides, The Silent Patient
You know, one of the hardest things to admit is that we weren’t loved when we needed it most. It’s a terrible feeling, the pain of not being loved.”
― Alex Michaelides, The Silent Patient
The Silent Patient The Creative Muggle Review
I picked up The Silent Patient because of the buzz surrounding it, so naturally, my expectations were high. And I am delighted to say that this novel not only met but exceeded them.
As someone who tends to avoid psychological thrillers due to the fear of overwhelming details and a labyrinth of characters, The Silent Patient amazed me with its simplicity. The story introduces only a few characters, each with a purpose, allowing a profound understanding of their personalities and roles.
Alex Michaelides’s writing style is captivating and uncomplicated. The plot weaves together seamlessly, leaving you yearning for more with each page turn. The short chapters create an addictive reading experience, compelling you to read just one more and one more until the outside world fades away. The main character, Alicia, is a strong and enigmatic woman, undoubtedly the highlight of the book. Her silence speaks volumes, and her journey through the depths of her mind showcases the resilience and the power of self-discovery.
One of the most intriguing aspects of The Silent Patient is how the author effortlessly blends the themes of academia, psychology, art, and literature. While I did come across some reviews on Goodreads regarding the author’s use of these concepts, especially Psychotherapy and various disorders. I believe it’s best for you to review and form your own opinion. Overall, The Silent Patient is a quick, enthralling, and unputdownable novel that has inspired me to explore more psychological thrillers.
The Creative Muggle Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
What to read after The Silent Patient
If you’re looking for spellbinding, well-crafted psychological thriller novels to read after Alex Michaelides’ debut novel,The Silent Patient here are some book suggestions.
- Verity by Colleen Hoover
- The Maidens by Alex Michaelides
- The Woman in the Window by A. J. Finn
- Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
- Behind Closed Doors by B. A. Paris
About the Author Alex Michaelides
Alex Michaelides was born and raised in Cyprus. He has an M.A. in English Literature from Trinity College, Cambridge University, and an M.A. in Screenwriting from the American Film Institute in Los Angeles. The Silent Patient was his first novel, debuting at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list, and has sold more than 6.5 million copies worldwide. Visit Alex Michaelides website.
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