Book Review,  Recipe

The Silent Patient Book Review ~ Suspense in the Psych Ward

by Alex Michaelides

London, present time, Psychological Thriller


Book Review

Rating: 4 out of 5.

 “No crazy parts allowed.” The Silent Patient is visceral. Michaelides is extremely descriptive and yet clean, using no unnecessary fluff words. He took his time rolling the story out but it didn’t feel slow; I was never bored or easily distracted from the book. It just felt as if he purposefully immersed the reader into the minds of Theo and Alysia. At first, I had no interest in Theo’s story. I just wanted more of Alysia. but then I started getting hooked on Theo’s psychotherapeutic interpretations of the other characters. No spoilers but The “Twist” that hyped this book and is in every review……. it is real!!

Alicia killed her husband and hasn’t spoken a word in the 6 years since. A silent spectator in the psych ward, her only form of communication is painting.  Psychotherapist Theo Faber is determined to treat Alicia, but how far is he willing to go?  

There’s a reason this one is still in the most read books lists! 

Nerdy Fact

Michaelides is actually a screen writer. Does this mean The Silent Patient could be heading to the big screen??

Audiobook Review

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Narrated by Jack Hawkins and Louise Brealey. Hawkins is fitting as the dry statistical forensic psychotherapist, Theo. Brealey has much less of a role, but plays her part well. Alicia’s anguish and droll sense of humor come through perfectly. Both narrators do a great job with the Latvian and Greek accents. I thought the book benefited from listening to the audio.

RECIPE

Mulled Chardonnay

“Suddenly blood was everywhere: blood trickling down my arm, blood on broken glass, blood mingling with white wine on the table. I struggled to tear off some kitchen paper and bound my finger tight to stem the flow. I held my hand above my head, watching blood stream down my arm in tiny diverging rivulets, mimicking the pattern of veins beneath my skin.”
Alex Michaelides, The Silent Patient.Mulled Chardonnay

The Nerdy Gourmet
The Nerdy Gourmet

Hi friends!! I’m Jenni, The Nerdy Gourmet. I love books and I love food. Combining the two with a splash of travel has become my passion. I am a self taught cook/baker and I believe that everyone can cook from scratch! I’m here with recipes and Nerdy Tips to help along the way.  
I review books, mostly ‘read’ via audio, and I create recipes inspired by the story lines. Sometimes if I am deeply moved by a story, I will travel and try my best to experience the book- and bring you along via my blog! I provide all the photographs and content for the Nerdy Gourmet (unless otherwise noted). 

Leave a Reply

%d bloggers like this: