Discussion on The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

[sunmuth]

This book was really popular last year. I just finished it and unfortunately, it didn't do too much for me. Maybe domestic thrillers just aren't for me

Has anyone else read this book?

[Vighnesh1997]

I read this book titled 'The Silent Patient' recently. To me, it feels like the book justifies it's genre - A psychological thriller, about the female protagonist Alicia Berenson. Someone who is really interested in psychology, must give it a read, because, it raises a question as to why does a person want to go for psychology as a career, and not any other. I would recommend this book to my friends.

[drwcroaker]

I read The Silent Patient last year. The book started with enough mystery to keep me turning pages, but I started losing interest at about the halfway point. I had pretty much guessed what the big reveal was going to be so I was just reading to see if I was right. Not one I would recommend. Only gets about a 2 out of 4 stars for me.

[Taseen]

I read 'The Silent Patient' and feel as though it was a good psychological thriller. Personally, I felt the book started off a little slow and I had to make an effort to keep reading, however, after the first couple of chapters it picked up. One thing I really liked avout this book was how the author used tensee to keep readers guessing.I would recommend this book to those who have an interest in psychology.

[Frim119]

‘The Silent Patient’ was an extreme let down. The book was very slow and lacking in tension however I would say that the author did a good job when writing in the perspective of Alicia and Theo and connecting their stories towards the end of the book.

[Xarolit]

I read "The silent patient" last summer. I was catched by the story and I really didn't see the ending come. I liked the way the author separated the two stories of the protagonists and finally put them together in the end. In my opinion the author successfully made it to turn sympathie into non sympathie for some characters in a couple of moments or better in a few pages. I recommend this book to all who are interested in (basic) psychology and thrillers.

[Vannaskivt]

My curiosity got the best of me last year when everyone seemed to be reading The Silent Patient so I read it as well. As an art therapist, I was not impressed with how art and psychology were interwoven, however, it could have been worse. I didn't hate this book, it kept moving for me, however, I had guessed the 'twist' and basically kept reading to confirm if I was right.

[Eclecticmama]

Ok, so I just finished this one, and I gotta say it did not live up to its hype. Yes, this book was thrilling. But also tended to go off on rabbit trails and it made the plot kind of hard to follow. This is one of those that goes from the past to the present multiple times, and it can be done well. This one was for the most part, until it got to the big plot twist. Then the pace sped up considerably and felt horribly rushed, much like an uncontrolled tumble down a hill. Your going in the right direction, but you are going to hit your head on some rocks and get confused along the way. I also didn't feel much of a connection to the characters. I didn't really care if something unfortunate happened to any of them. So all in all I give this one a three out of four. It was a fun story, and a great first book for this author.

[Hiruni Hansika]

I found the book a little depressing and gloomy. But I never guessed the ending! I have mostly read thrillers in my life so that I can guess how they are going to end half way into the book. But with "The Silent Patient" I could not. The only book I have read that had kind of the same ending where the narrator ends up being a part of the murder is Agatha Christie's "The Murder Of Roger Ackroyd." I loved "The Silent Patient" so much so gave it 4 out of 4 stars.

[Linda S 1]

I read The Silent Patient this year and loved it. It is one of the best psychological thrillers I've read. The mystery in the plot kept me thrilled till the end. I felt that the book was a bit slow-paced especially in the initial parts. In terms of character development, the author has done a fantastic job. Though Alicia's character was grim I loved the way her intricate story was narrated.

[IFRA BURHAN]

I have read the book "The Silent Patient" by Alex Michaelides. Being a psychological thriller, it does justice to the genre. The book was engaging on who was the killer and why did the murder happen? The connection between Alcestis & Alicia, why was Theo so sure that only he can make Alicia speak. Just when you expect that you know the truth, another twist comes which makes it intriguing. It was worth the read.

[nneyss_]

I'm a huge fan of psychological thrillers and I've read this book earlier this year but what I liked the most from my reading experience is how it tries to throw you off the track. I've had quite a couple guesses of the ending and the 'big reveal' but constant twists made me re-evaluate my guesses. It was definitely a page-turner towards the end when the truth was revealed. You would either have a "I KNEW IT" moment or it could be something you never saw coming.

[Uniter Oyando]

I read this book together with my book club members at AGRB and it was really fun. Personally, I like psychological thrillers, just when you think you know the ending, there comes the twist. This book opened my mind and got me interested in learning about personality disorders. I loved this book.

[Uniter Oyando]

I'm a huge fan of psychological thrillers and I've read this book earlier this year but what I liked the most from my reading experience is how it tries to throw you off the track. I've had quite a couple guesses of the ending and the 'big reveal' but constant twists made me re-evaluate my guesses. It was definitely a page-turner towards the end when the truth was revealed. You would either have a "I KNEW IT" moment or it could be something you never saw coming.

I agree. Mine was "I definitely did not see that coming!". I usually pride myself in correctly guessing what was to come but this book threw me off completely. I think that's what made me love it even more.

[Penny Ann Criswell Johnson]

This book was a page turner, and it had me hooked from the first sentence. I agree it would be a brilliant book for those who love psychology. I have my B.A. in Religion, Education and psychology and I couldn't put this book down. After I read it, I passed it to my oldest daughter who has an M.A. in Clinical Psychologist. The whole method of how he tries to get her to talk is intriguing. I am glad you made this forum, so we can discuss this book.