Review: The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Rating: *****
Rating: *****
I picked up a hardcopy of The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides at The Paperback Exchange, a local bookstore near me. It's been sitting untouched on one shelf or another at my house for several months. I even took it on vacation last year, thinking I'd read it in our Blue Ridge Mountain cabin rental, since one of my favorite things to do is sit in a rocking chair on an outside porch with a book in one hand and a coffee in another. But still the book sat. I couldn't figure out what was holding me back. It's a psychological thriller based on the experience of a woman in a psychiatric hospital, which is right up my alley since I write in this genre, too. Hell, that's why I bought the book in the first place. Why wasn't I diving into it? Or any other mental hospital themed books?
After a little soul searching, I think the answer is that I was afraid the storyline would be similar to my book, The Caging at Deadwater Manor--a story that is so special to me since my dad helped me conceptualize the story based on some of his experiences working at a psychiatric hospital. He has since died, and I think I didn't want anything to infringe on that memory with him or even come close, if that makes sense. But after reading compliment after compliment on social media on how well this novel was written and being it was a New York Times Bestseller, I finally took the plunge.
First off, this story is nothing like mine and for that I was so thankful. I read through it with a fresh, open mind, and I wasn't side-tracked or put off by the storyline.
The story starts with the introduction of Alicia Berenson, a talented painter/artist who is struggling with a death from the past and the mental illness that occurred afterward. Her mind seems unstable based on diary entries the author intertwines within the story, and one night, she shoots her husband in the head. Or did she? No one knows because he dies and she refuses to speak. Hence, the trip to a mental institution.
Once there, she meets her new psychotherapist, Theo Faber, who becomes obsessed with Alicia's life and is determined to convince her to speak. Theo's a clever one, though, and so is this author who took me on twists and turns until the very end where I was confused on timelines and relationships, but in a good way. Michaelides is a trickster, of sorts, and I applaud his ability to keep you guessing until the very end.
I have a couple favorite quotes from the story. Ones I never imagined would capture me, especially because they're not about the thrill of the story. They're more on a personal level. Here's what I mean. Theo talks about missing fireworks in his relationship, and I loved his therapist's response (Ruth):
After a little soul searching, I think the answer is that I was afraid the storyline would be similar to my book, The Caging at Deadwater Manor--a story that is so special to me since my dad helped me conceptualize the story based on some of his experiences working at a psychiatric hospital. He has since died, and I think I didn't want anything to infringe on that memory with him or even come close, if that makes sense. But after reading compliment after compliment on social media on how well this novel was written and being it was a New York Times Bestseller, I finally took the plunge.
First off, this story is nothing like mine and for that I was so thankful. I read through it with a fresh, open mind, and I wasn't side-tracked or put off by the storyline.
The story starts with the introduction of Alicia Berenson, a talented painter/artist who is struggling with a death from the past and the mental illness that occurred afterward. Her mind seems unstable based on diary entries the author intertwines within the story, and one night, she shoots her husband in the head. Or did she? No one knows because he dies and she refuses to speak. Hence, the trip to a mental institution.
Once there, she meets her new psychotherapist, Theo Faber, who becomes obsessed with Alicia's life and is determined to convince her to speak. Theo's a clever one, though, and so is this author who took me on twists and turns until the very end where I was confused on timelines and relationships, but in a good way. Michaelides is a trickster, of sorts, and I applaud his ability to keep you guessing until the very end.
I have a couple favorite quotes from the story. Ones I never imagined would capture me, especially because they're not about the thrill of the story. They're more on a personal level. Here's what I mean. Theo talks about missing fireworks in his relationship, and I loved his therapist's response (Ruth):
"About love. About how 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."
This hit home for me, big time. I've been married 34 years, and honestly, sometimes I've had those feelings myself. Are we missing fireworks after so many years? Should we be more exciting? Have we become too comfortable? We sit home on most weekend nights. Deep down, I knew the answer was no, but this quote puts it together so eloquently.
The second quote I loved, which was on the next page, was:
The second quote I loved, which was on the next page, was:
"Trying to please someone unpredictable, someone emotionally unavailable, uncaring, unkind--trying to keep them happy, win their love--is this not an old story, Theo? A familiar story?"
This is from his therapist again, trying to get him to see that his feelings of emotional abandonment as a child were making him seek this kind of impossible love (i.e. conditional love) in his relationships. I've seen this happen so it also resonated with me.
While reading these lines, I felt happy that so many people have or would be reading these quotes. They're so true. So I guess this book truly is psychological - good and bad. And I think I got a counseling lesson while I was at it! Haha!
While reading these lines, I felt happy that so many people have or would be reading these quotes. They're so true. So I guess this book truly is psychological - good and bad. And I think I got a counseling lesson while I was at it! Haha!
Five stars from me despite a bit of a slow beginning, but as another author friend shared with me, "It's a slow burn." She was right. This was a great read that did not disappoint.
Maybe I won't be so afraid to read more mental hospital stories now :)
Have you read it? What did you think?
Maybe I won't be so afraid to read more mental hospital stories now :)
Have you read it? What did you think?
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