The Good 

The Silent Patient is a twisting and captivating tale told through the lens of a psychiatrist, Theo, looking to crack the silence of one Alicia Berenson, who is believed to be the perpetrator of matricide years prior. The unique plot and structure, told through diary entries and first person POV allows for the reader to question the truth of the story. This text was easy to follow yet also left the reader inquiring into what would happen next. Filled with symbolism, eerie atmosphere, and morally gray characters, The Silent Patient will keep you turning pages late into the night.

The Bad 

While the text was entertaining and hard to predict, it was also a little hard to follow at times. Readers do not get Alicia’s true thoughts until later in the story, which is purposeful, but focuses the lens on Theo. Once you approach the end of the story, you begin to realize your focus was attached to an unreliable narrator, redirecting your attention in a negative direction.

The Ugly 

We, as a collective, do not have many complaints that could be considered ugly, however, the actions that occur in the climax themselves are disturbing and unnerving. Readers will enjoy the meandering plot line and will be left with a sense of unease regarding the fate of the characters long after the final page is turned.