So, why did she stop  speaking?

The more I read this murder mystery, the more I found myself empathizing with her. I was desperate to know why she stopped speaking. It made me reflect on how we, as individuals, sometimes choose silence to cope with overwhelming emotions

By Riya Gupta

As a student fascinated by psychological thrillers, The Silent Patient gripped me from the first page to the last. It’s a haunting and emotional journey into the darkest corners of the human mind, blending suspense, mystery, and psychological depth. Written with exceptional craft, Alex Michaelides presents a story that doesn’t merely entertain, but also challenges the reader to question the nature of truth, guilt and silence.

The protagonist, Alicia Berenson, is at the heart of this compelling narrative. Her chilling silence after allegedly murdering her husband becomes the central enigma of the story. The more I read, the more I found myself empathizing with her, even though the facts seemed to paint her as guilty. As a reader, I was desperate to know why she stopped speaking. Her silence felt like a heavy weight, not just for the other characters, but for me as well. It made me reflect on how we, as individuals, sometimes choose silence to cope with overwhelming emotions.

One of the most striking aspects of the book is how it intertwines art with trauma. Alicia’s final act before withdrawing into silence—a haunting self- portrait titled ‘Alcestis’—adds a layer of profound symbolism. The way Michaelides weaves Greek mythology into the plot gave me chills. The reference to ‘Alcestis’, a figure who sacrificed herself for her husband, opens up deep questions about Alicia and her  true feelings and motivations. 

Is she a tragic victim or a calculating killer? This ambiguity left me pondering long after I finished reading. The book features Theo Faber, a forensic psychotherapist determined to unravel Alicia’s mystery. His perspective added an emotional layer to the story, as he seems to relate to Alicia in ways that go beyond professional curiosity. His obsession with unlocking her silence leads the reader through a maze of twists and turns. 

As someone who loves complex characters, I found Theo equally fascinating and unsettling. His dedication to help Alicia heal is both admirable and disturbing, revealing his own psychological wounds. What struck me the most about The Silent Patient was how it made me question human nature. We all carry hidden pain and trauma, but the way we cope with it varies greatly. Alicia’s silence becomes a metaphor for the unspoken fears and emotions we all bury within ourselves.

The novel pushes the reader to think about the consequences of not addressing mental health issues, both in Alicia’s case and in the lives of the people around her. Emotionally, the book took me on a roller-coaster. The way it builds suspense, only to deliver shocking twists, kept me on edge. I found myself gasping at the revelations that unfolded toward the end, especially when the truth about Alicia’s past and Theo’s own journey come to light. The plot twist was so unexpected, it left me reeling, but in the best possible way.

In conclusion, The Silent Patient is more than just a murder mystery—it is  an exploration of human emotions, silence, and the scars left by trauma. As a student, this book not only captivated me, but made me reflect on deeper psychological and emotional truths. It’s a novel that lingers in your mind, leaving you haunted and emotionally stirred long after the final page. 

If you are looking for a thriller that will challenge your perceptions and keep you Intellectually and emotionally invested, this book is an unforgettable read.

Riya Gupta is a Class 11 student of Dr BR Ambedkar School of Specialized Excellence (SoSE), Andrews Ganj, Delhi Board of Secondary Education, Delhi government.