Lit Pick #4: The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

Thuraya Haifa, Reporter

For fall, it only felt right to read something mystery-filled that would keep me up at night until the last page; that’s when I stumbled upon “The Silent Patient” by Alex Michaelides. A few different friends recommended this book to me, and eventually I decided to give it a shot, and I’m honestly really glad I did.

When I started the book, I didn’t think I would like it too much. I’ve never read a psychological thriller, and I’ve only ever read non-fiction and realistic-fiction novels.  In only one day, however, I read the entire book and fell in love with this mysterious story.

The Silent Patient follows psychotherapist Theo Faber, who is fascinated by the case of a woman, Alicia Berenson, who killed her husband on a hot summer night and never said a word again. He believes that with time and patience, he could get her to talk again.

Theo narrates this story as he attempts to bring Alicia ‘back to life’ and understand what happened the night of her husband’s murder. But as he slowly starts to break through her silent barrier, events from both their pasts slowly start to unfold and things get complicated for Theo; he discovers that Alicia’s story is far more convoluted than anyone had expected, and her husband’s murder becomes a chilling and emotionally-complex story tied with Theo’s own life.

This book was by far one of the best books I’ve read this year — I can’t recommend it enough. It’s a very well-written book, and an easy read that I just couldn’t put down. Every page and small detail contributed to the plot of the story, and by the end of the book, the author manages to tie everything back together and connect all the dots with an alarming plot twist.

I’d recommend this book for people who enjoy mysteries and emotionally-challenging books, or for someone who wants to ease their way into this genre the same way I did. The Silent Patient is available at the CHS Library, as well as the Boerne Library or on Amazon.

 

Not your genre? Here’s what else I’m reading (and recommending):

Fantasy / Sci-Fi – The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling

Mystery – Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson

Adventure/Suspense – The Body by Stephen King

Realistic Fiction – The Way I Used to Be by Amber Smith

Romance – One Day in December by Josie Silver

Historical Fiction – Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

Nonfiction – Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson