The Silent Patient
Book - 2019
Alicia Berenson is a famous painter married to an in-demand fashion photographer, living in a posh area of London. One evening, her husband Gabriel returns home late. Alicia shoots him five times in the face and then never speaks another word.
Publisher:
New York, New York : Celadon Books, ♭2019.
ISBN:
9781250230782
9781250301697
9781250301697
Characteristics:
325 pages ;,25 cm.


Opinion
From Library Staff
Short punchy chapters that really pull you through the story. I found there was a bit of a slump in the middle, but the ending made it worth it!
"That rarest of beasts: the perfect thriller. This extraordinary novel set my blood fizzing—I quite literally couldn’t put it down. I told myself I'd just dip in; eleven hours later—it's now 5:47 a.m.—I've finished it, absolutely dazzled."
—A. J. Finn, #1 New York Times bestselling auth... Read More »
From the critics

Community Activity
Quotes
Add a Quote"No one is born evil. As Winnicott put it, "A baby cannot hate the mother, without the mother first hating the baby."
" I didn't want to die. Not yet; not when I hadn't live. This gave me a kind of hope, however murky and ill defined."

Comment
Add a CommentLet me just say the premise of this book is Alicia Berenson kills her husband, and then becomes completely mute. LIKE WHAT. Alicia is then admitted into a psychiatric hospital where she talks to no one and leaves her husband’s murder a complete mystery. Theo Faber is a psychotherapist that is determined to figure out this mysterious murder. Little does Theo know, there is A LOT to unpack in this case. I will say it is a slow burn, but when you get to the last third, you can’t put it down. This was a rollercoaster ride I wasn’t for and honestly the complexities of it took me a moment to realize all that was being uncovered. If you are looking for a real psychological thriller, give this one a go and I promise you won’t see the end coming
I found this a good quick absorbing read. I selected it as it often appears on recommended reading lists and I can see why. A few discrepancies in storytelling detract from an otherwise great book with the ultimate twist saved to the end.
Loved it! A wonderfully written thriller that pulls you in from the start and ends with an absolute shock. Everything you could want in a fast mystery read.
A quick read. Chapters are short and the story moves quickly. A good psychological thriller. The author has a strong understanding of what makes people/characters act they way they do. The undercurrent of the story is how the things in our childhood have shaped us into our adult selves.
It took me awhile to get into this book and I felt like there was some lacking in certain character development. But overall it was an enjoyable read.
This story made me think at the end, which I really like in a book. It explored the human mind and the power other people and deep relationships have over individuals in a very unique and compelling way. The twist was interesting, but not completely shocking/mind-blowing.
My absolute favourite book to date. So many twists and emotions involved. Loved this!!!!
I suspected everything I read was maybe all in Theo’s mind but definitely didn’t see the ending the way it was which was a surprise.
I hated this book from start to finish.
Couldn't put it down!
Donna Murphy