The Silent Patient Book - Summary
The Silent Patient is a psychological thriller novel written by Alex Michaelides. It tells the story of Alicia Berenson, a famous painter who lives a perfect life with her husband, Gabriel. One day, she suddenly shoots her husband and then stops speaking completely. After that, Alicia refuses to talk to anyone, and no one knows why she did it. Her silence turns her into a mystery that everyone wants to understand.
Following the murder, Alicia is institutionalized in a secure psychiatric facility called The Grove. Despite numerous attempts by psychiatrists and therapists, she refuses to speak, leaving her motive for the crime a mystery.
The narrative is told from the perspective of Theo Faber, a psychotherapist who becomes fascinated with Alicia’s case. He manages to get a job at The Grove with the intention of treating Alicia, hoping to unravel the truth behind her silence and the events leading up to Gabriel’s murder.
As Theo delves deeper into Alicia’s past, he discovers dark secrets and hidden traumas that may hold the key to understanding her actions. Along the way, he also confronts his own troubled history and struggles with his professional ethics.
