by Alex Michaelides

London, present time, Psychological Thriller

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Book Review

 “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! 

Audiobook Review

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