La Crosse County Library discussion

Hey everyone, our book club's October selection will be The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides. Happy reading!

We enjoyed The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides and we hope you did too. We look forward to the discussion!

Here are some starting questions:

Did you enjoy the book?

Did you realize the reveal before it took place? If so, what gave it away?

Who did you initially suspect as the killer of Gabriel?

What is the meaning of Alicia painting Alcestis? Do you see any parallels between Alicia’s story and the mythology of Alcestis?

Do you think Theo and /or Alicia are sympathetic characters?

How reliable was Theo as a narrator? How does the latest diary entry contrasts differently from Theo’s narration of events?

Would you read future books by this author?

Alex Michaeledes released the Maidens where Theo makes an appearance or two. Would you want the author to explore this shared universe more or have a story with unrelated characters?




(Don't feel limited by these! Many other aspects of the book can be discussed as well!)

Hadn't planned on reading this one, but that's the fun of book clubs. You get to stretch yourself. Almost done with September.

I am looking forward to reading this, even though mysteries and thrillers aren't really my favorite genres. I have heard good things about it and had some people recommend it to me, so I'm going to give it a try!

This will be fun for both of us then, Cora.

Everyone has their favorite genres, but the fun part about a book club is pushing your comfort zone a bit! You might find a great new read that way.

Discussion questions are now posted.

Finished this one recently. Wow, this one was really good! A great introduction to the mystery/thriller genre!

Did you enjoy the book?

I really enjoyed this book to be honest and was surprised that it was a debut novel with how intricately it was written.

Did you realize the reveal before it took place? If so, what gave it away?

I actually did realize the twist relatively early on. The things that gave it away from me where 3 things kind of 1) I already went into the book looking for a big twist because of other reviews 2) I realized the story line with the wife was separate in time 3) I already knew the mythology behind Alcestis which kind of gave it away too

Who did you initially suspect as the killer of Gabriel?

I can’t remember who I initially thought was the killer. Maybe another therapist? But I didn’t really think it was the friends or family of Alicia as they seemed just a supporting cast in this thriller.

What is the meaning of Alicia painting Alcestis? Do you see any parallels between Alicia’s story and the mythology of Alcestis?

From what I understood the painting can be interpreted either by myth or by the play. Her painting was to signify her relationship with her Father from what I could remember and how he blamed her for her mother’s death. I interpreted the mythology and play when I first read it into a couple things that might have happened. 1) her husband didn’t keep a promise – maybe infidelity or like her father he chooses his life over hers 2) Her silence was due to her being betrayed and scorned 3) she chose to sacrifice herself for someone just like Alcestis (this one was a guess that fit with my line of thinking but in the end didn’t “really” come about as part of the foreshadowing) 4) a lot of Greek references with Theo exhibiting some of their hubris meaning he was going to fall like other Greek heroes

I know I'm probably off the mark with that interpretation but that's kind of how I wrongly surmised the twist that occurred.

Do you think Theo and /or Alicia are sympathetic characters?

I do think they are sympathetic characters at first with troubled backgrounds and childhoods. But for me, Alicia after we knew what she did, lost a little sympathy from me. Theo lost sympathy from me when you find out what he did to Alicia in the past and present.

How reliable was Theo as a narrator? How does the latest diary entry contrasts differently from Theo’s narration of events?

It seems so at first where he tries to see past patient’s delirium, but then you find out that he actually might have been a lot less reliable even considering the diary entry due to how arrogant he was. Not only was his point of view different, but the perceived motivations also seemed different as well.

Would you read future books by this author?

Yes, I would, and in fact I already read his newest book.

Alex Michaeledes released the Maidens where Theo makes an appearance or two. Would you want the author to explore this shared universe more or have a story with unrelated characters?

I would very much so enjoy that. Theo’s appearance was a breath of fresh air in Maidens. It was also interesting reading from another character’s pov and to hear what she thought of him. I like the combination of psychology and mystery with red herrings and twists galore. So sign me up for an inclusive universe where therapists can psychoanalyze each other.

Brandon wrote: "Did you enjoy the book?

I really enjoyed this book to be honest and was surprised that it was a debut novel with how intricately it was written.

Did you realize the reveal before it took place? ..."

Glad you enjoyed the book. Very thoughtful analysis of The Silent Patient!

I definitely would recommend The Silent Patient to others!(I've read the author's second book, The Maidens, as well, and enjoyed that. I hope Alex Michaelides keeps writing in this universe!)

As I've said before, it's a great introduction to the mystery/thriller genre. The author really kept me guessing throughout the story; I suspected every character in the story except for the one that was revealed to be behind it all. So, the bait-and-switch really worked on me!

I think the other thing that really drew me to The Silent Patient is the psychological aspect to the story. It was fascinating to see Michaelides design all these morally grey and complex characters, driven by their arguably terrible childhoods and the complex emotions that drive them forward. Therefore, I didn't have a favorite character, per se. I appreciated the story more.

Cora wrote: "I definitely would recommend The Silent Patient to others!(I've read the author's second book, The Maidens, as well, and enjoyed that. I hope Alex Michaelides keeps writing in this universe!)

As ..."

That was something we enjoyed as well, the complexity of the characters. None of them were merely good or merely bad; they were a mix of both (on a spectrum of course)!

Some outside reviews of The Silent Patient:

**Beware of spoilers!**

The Berkshire Eagle: https://www.berkshireeagle.com/archiv...

The Bibliofile: https://the-bibliofile.com/the-silent...

Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/entert...