Fiction-Stories

The Silent Patient

In its opening, this book appeared to be a statement about psychotherapy. Then it evolved into a murder-mystery. Then it flipped its foundations and resolved in stunning fashion. Clearly, the scope of the plot demonstrates Michaelides’ innate genius. In doing so, however, he educates us about human nature and those professions which are in charge of humanity’s most needy members.

The main character (professionally, a psychotherapist) is unorthodox in his style and functions as a detective in most of the book. He is innately driven about helping one particular patient, who, as the title suggests, is silent. Like any good story, his tale is full of dramatic twists about the intersections of life. The author involves a heavy dose of psychological thinking along the way that left me in knots. Then, in a very skilled and controlled way, the tale flips in the fifth and final part to reveal the truth of the matter. It’s almost like Thackeray’s Vanity Fair in its ability to accelerate the narrative – only in about half the space.

Michaelides clearly does a great job in laying out this novel from the start. He carefully crafts each segment to work with itself. Despite this intense weaving at the macro level, the prose is lively and engaging; that is to say, it flows well at the micro level as intrigue steadily builds throughout the novel. Rarely does it seem that the author is writing from a tight outline. In that sense, Michaelides has clearly mastered the craft of mystery-writing.

This book is recommended to all readers – especially, with its adept use of many themes, young readers. Set in London, it reflects the English preoccupation with madness well and shares themes of coming of age and separating (healthily or unhealthily) from one’s family. In addition, this intriguing story demonstrates how effective skilled writing can be. It inspires the reader (or at least, me) to learn to better control my own voice and to better plan my own movements. Brilliantly done!

The Silent Patient
By Alex Michaelides
Copyright (c) 2019
Celadon Books
ASIN B07D2C6J4K
Page Count: 297
Genre: Murder-Mystery; Fiction
www.amazon.com