The Silent Patient Review
What does a book expert think: Get a comprehensive overview of the reception and review of The Silent Patient.
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In Alex Michaelides‘ ‘The Silent Patient,’ the unsettling silence of Alicia Berenson speaks volumes. Accused of a vicious crime and refusing to admit or refute it, she gets judged by the public. As the plot develops, the ambitious and empathetic psychotherapist, Theo Faber, obsessively tries to unravel the mystery behind Alicia’s murder and immediate muteness.
Applying the knowledge he accumulated as a psychotherapist, Alex Michaelides creates a captivating story that explores the depth of the human mind and the use of silence to conceal shadowy secrets.
Key Facts about The Silent Patient
- Title: The Silent Patient
- Book Inspiration: Agatha Christie and Greek tragedies.
- Publication Date: February 5, 2019.
- Literary Period: Contemporary period.
- Genre: Physiological thriller.
- Setting: London, England.
- Point-of-view: First-person narrative.
- Climax: Revelation of how Alicia killed her husband and Theo’s contribution to the murder.
- Protagonist: Alicia Berenson, Theo Faber.
- Antagonist: Stephanie Clarke.
Alex Michaelides and The Silent Patient
Inspired by his interest in the human mind and the mysterious nature of silence, Michaelides, a former actor, screenwriter, and qualified psychotherapist, incorporated his knowledge of psychology into this book, creating a plot line that delves into trauma, mental instability, guilt, and secrets.
‘The Silent Patient’ enthralls the reader from the first page. The central character, Alicia Berenson, a famous artist, turns mute after being accused of the murder of her husband. As the plot develops, the events leading to the murder of her husband and her silence are revealed. Michaelides confronts popular views of mental health and its complications using this piece.
Books Related to The Silent Patient
- ‘The Girl on the Train‘ is a Paula Hawkins 2015 creation that made her famous. A recently divorced woman, Rachel Watson, journeys on the train daily, even though she has lost her job and becomes unhealthily interested in the lives of a supposedly loving couple she sees from the train window. When the couple’s woman goes missing and eventually dies, Rachel fears her involvement in the case and begins to investigate. Although her constant drunkenness and depression get in the way, she fits the pieces of the murder together. Like ‘The Silent Patient,’ this psychological thriller examines the unreliability of a single story and the effects of abuse.
- ‘Before I Go to Sleep’ by S.J. Watson was released in the spring of 2011. Christine Lucas suffers from acute amnesia that wipes out her memory whenever she sleeps. She awakes without knowledge of her past, the people in her life, and her identity. Committed to unearthing the truth, Christine begins to keep a journal. She manages to piece together fractured memories and slowly unravels shocking revelations about her life. Like ‘The Silent Patient,’ the themes of memory and its unreliability are analyzed in this book.
- ‘Gone Girl’ by Gillian Flynn revolves around Nick and his wife, Amy, who inexplicably disappear on their wedding anniversary. The story switches between Nick’s perspective of Amy and his marriage and Amy’s diary notes. The novel explores concepts of deceit and the complications of human relations by revealing the toxicity of their relationship. Also, diving into the dark aspects of the human mind, readers are left to navigate a depraved and suspenseful narrative.
The Lasting Impact of The Silent Patient
Published after an unsuccessful career in screenwriting, Michaelides’ debut novel, ‘The Silent Patient,’ consolidated its spot as a contemporary literary phenomenon through skillful narration and the creation of a fascinating story. After its release, the novel became a blockbuster and sold over six million copies.
The book’s sophisticated puzzle of hidden truths, shaky narrators, and startling revelations entices readers into a spellbinding realm of tension and intrigue.
Beyond its commercial success, the book significantly influenced individuals. Employing the difficulties of Alicia Berenson and Theo Faber, topics like manipulation, abuse, mental health, and the intricacies of the human psyche were addressed.
‘The Silent Patient’ also influenced existing and emerging authors to explore similar techniques. Authors like Riley Sager, Paula Hawkins, A. J. Finn, Gillian Flynn, and Ruth Ware share a related prose style to Michaelides’ works.
Described as “hypnotic” and “immersive,” Michaelides’ writing draws readers into the mystery, leaving hints that eventually expose the fallibility of perception.
The Silent Patient Historical Context
Setting the scene for The Silent Patient: Understand the time and place that inspired its creation and relevance.
The Silent Patient Quotes
The words that resonate: Find memorable quotes from The Silent Patient that capture its essence of the book.
The Silent Patient Character List
Get to know the characters: Understand the characters in The Silent Patient.
The Silent Patient Themes and Analysis
Unlock the hidden meanings: Dive deeper into the central themes and symbolism, and analysis of The Silent Patient.
The Silent Patient Plot Summary
The Silent Patient in a nutshell: A quick overview of the essential plot points, characters, and ideas.