The Silent Patient
By Alex Michaelides
Genres- Thriller, Fiction
Published- February 5, 2019, by Celadon Books
Alicia Berenson is a famous painter whose life revolves around her work and the man she is madly in love with Gabriel Berenson, she lives in a posh area located in London. Her life is coveted by many other people, as it’s as perfect as one can wish.
Until one day Gabriel comes home late from his fashion shoot and Alicia shoots him five times in the face, and becomes Silent.
The world has indicted her as a criminal and her art value has skyrocketed. But none of that matters to her anymore, she is imprisoned in Grove, a secure forensic unit in North London. Doctors have given up on her and the world has forgotten her. Well, except him.
Theo Faber is a criminal psychotherapist and Alicia’s case fascinates him and he believes he is the only one who can help her. Something inside Alicia pull a chord within Theo and he is determined to break her silence.
An amazing read where every word has been chosen with care. Theo starts his journey with Alicia in great hopes. But just after their second meeting, he realizes that he needs to dig deeper. Every part that he uncovers about Alicia, gave him more puzzles than answers. Why did she do it? The people in her life have varied opinions about her but can they be trusted to be unbiased?
As he did his best to help Alicia, he face the scrutiny of fellow doctors who believes that Alicia is borderline and no one can save her. Theo feels like there are walls that are keeping Alicia in that state and he fights with everyone to free her. Without caring they are tainting his reputation.
His investigation leads him to parts of Alicia’s life that were not told before and then there is Alicia’s diary. He is in a dilemma and wants to get the answers and Alicia needs to speak so he could know he is reaching her. But will she? Will she recognise his efforts or has he been really fighting with a wall?
What I like the most is you have no clue about the reasons until the writer allows you that right. It’s a page-turner for sure but apart from that he navigates the delicate relationship between the therapist and patients.
If you have read ‘Gone Girl’ by Gillian Flynn then you will like this book. Absolutely will recommend it to anyone who likes psychological thrillers.
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