Review - The Silent Patient by Alex Michealides

Upon writing this I have only just finished The Silent Patient and I must say I haven’t read something that was so emotionally provocative in quite a while. The last book I can think of was Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine, which was also the last review I did. I feel as if I have to tell someone how brilliant this book was. Right now I am still in a state of shock, like when you’re walking down the street daydreaming and a car suddenly pulls out of the driveway. You are left feeling something so hard to put into words. You just feel as if you are in a trance. Books like this only appear once every blue moon and I am so grateful to have found this book.

The Plot -

The plot of this magnificent book follows three separate stories, two of those are Theo’s and only one is Alicia. These plots fit very well together with each other and while sometimes it can be confusing following so many storylines I feel as if they worked together well to keep you guessing.

The main story, however, is that one day Alicia was found at home with her husband’s dead body. The police decide she has killed him and because of her long history of mental health issues send her to a psychiatric facility, she hasn’t spoken a word since that fateful night. Nothing but one last painting. Theo works at Broadmoor as a psychotherapist dealing with patients on the brink of insanity, he always wanted to work on Alicia’s case but wasn’t able to until a spot opened up at her facility - the Grove - but how can you treat someone who doesn’t speak?

Theo’s first plot - This part of the book follows Theo in his journey to help Alicia recover from her murdering of her husband, Gabriel. When Theo finds her she is a zombie, over medicated and lost in her own head. Determined to find out what went so wrong in Alicia’s life he speaks to everyone she had contact in, from friends to family to her solicitor. And what he uncovers explains almost everything.

Theo’s Second Plot - Theo’s been fine lately. He fell in love with an amazing woman, moved in with her and he hasn’t been abusing drugs in a long time. But lately she’s been working late, their fireworks are fizzling. One night after falling into drugs again he finds his wife’s computer wide open displaying her email. But she’s been talking to someone in a way you would only talk to your husband, that is if you were being faithful. So once again Theo puts on his detective cap and tries to find out who this mysterious man is. But sometimes Theo can be as insane as his patients.

Alicia’s Diary - This storyline is written from the point of Alicia, and she isn’t insane. She can’t be. Sure she’s been up and down but she’s getting better. But someone is following her, the outline of a man, but he’s never there when she tries to show Gabriel. But he’s dangerous, he has to be. So why will nobody believe her?

Characters -

Theo - Theo is a confusing character. He seems so devoted to helping Alicia but when he’s home and trying to find out about his wife’s infidelity he becomes consumed with jealousy. He searches through his wife’s computer when he thinks she isn’t watching and even goes as far as stalking her. He becomes a completely different person altogether. But he does try his very best with Alicia, he doesn’t let the affair interfere with his work right?

Alicia - Alicia is broken. She has been for a long time. With a completely stuffed up childhood full of suicide and hatred and the fact that she can’t escape and the horrific events that occurred just six years ago it’s hard for her to heal. But with Theo as her new psychotherapist, things seem to take a turn for the better. Maybe she can talk after all.

In Conclusion -

I don’t think I could ever give this book the justice it deserves. It is so rare you come across a book so amazing with so many twists and turns. I had so many theories along the way, did Alicia really kill her husband, if not then who? Who’s crazy, Theo or Alicia? I could not recommend this book to you more. This book has had a huge impact on me and I hope that you are able to be as engrossed in this book as I was. Happy reading bookaholics!

- S.R.B