#Review: The Silent Patient - Alex Michaelides

Rating:

 + 

5/5 Book Emojis (SHOOK)

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Format Used: 

Paperback

Publisher - Hachette India 

Pages - 352

*Note: I received a review copy of this book to participate in the Read-Along hosted by Hachette India. The views below are solely my own.

Review:

"Once you name something, it stops you seeing all of it, or why it matters. You focus on the word; which is just the tiniest part, really, the tip of an iceberg."

The Silent Patient is the debut novel of the screenwriter Alex Michaelides. It is the story of a famous painter, Alicia Berenson, who allegedly shot her husband Gabriel five times in the face and then never spoke a word again. Then, there's Theo Faber, a forensic psychotherapist who joins the psychiatric unit, The Grove, where Alicia is under treatment. He believes that he can make her speak again and bring the truth to life.

The plot is extremely well paced to the point that I not even once lost my interest, no matter how many sittings I took to finish it. The writing style is very good for a debut novel. What I liked best about the book was how the author incorporated the Greek tragedy Alcestis in relation to the story and beautifully devoured it with his characters. It was very twisted and dark which is something that a lot of people seek these days. Every concept of psychology, psychopathology and psychotherapy used is immaculate and brilliantly brought to use. Most quotes used in the book are by the founding fathers of psychology and quite the dark ones by them, one must say.


The chapters are simply perfect in length and the literary devices used are absolutely impeccable. It doesn't matter if this is your first psychological thriller book, it will blow your mind away the same way it did for me. The ending is so poetic and so visual that the reader can't help but take pauses to react and fully absorb what just happened. 


CONCLUSION: This book is timeless and I'm sure it will be enjoyed by generations to come. Definitely my most favorite book so far of this year and one of my all time favorites. Highly recommend!

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#Review: Rosie Loves Jack - Mel Darbon

Rating: 

3.5/5 Book Emojis!

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Format Used:

Paperback

Publisher - HarperCollins India

Pages - 336

 *Note - I received a copy of this book from HarperCollins India in exchange for an honest review. The views below are solely my own. 

Review:

"Why is it different? Is it cos I have Down's syndrome? Down's syndrome isn't me. I am Rose."

 Rosie Loves Jack is a fiction novel written in first person having a protagonist named Rosie, a teenager with Down's syndrome. It's a narrative of how this one girl doesn't let her disability get in the way of reaching her boyfriend Jack across London to Brighton facing a lot of challenges across the way. The entire book is an adventure-packed ride through the eyes of a special girl who simply wants to be able love someone without any struggles. 


I'm a Clinical Psychology major who has dealt with cases of Down's. As a matter of fact, I had one such case while I was reading the book. So, I can definitely say that the way Rosie has been voiced is very appropriate. 

The book has a lot of notes and postcards from the male lead which is quite adorable as well as smartly edited. The writing style is above average which is fine for the age group this book is meant for. There were scenes of humor, romance as well as drama. However, I really missed some significant and quotable lines which could've really blessed the potential of this story. 

Through the course of the book, one learns how in spite of our differences, we all seek love the same even if it comes in various forms. The ending was good but not very moving as I expected. 

CONCLUSION: I liked this book and would recommend it to people to help with the ignorance around those with intellectual disabilities. It's a light, fun read which is no harm to just breeze through on a nice winter day. 

#Review: A Separate Peace - John Knowles

Rating: 

2/5 Book Emojis

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Format(s) Used-

Paperback

Publisher - Simon & Schuster India

Pages - 2018

Audiobook

Publisher - Recorded Books

Length - 6h 34m

Note: I received a free copy for an honest review from the publisher (Simon and Schuster, India).

Review:

 "There was no harm in taking aim, even if the target was a dream." 

A Separate Peace by John Knowles is a classic coming-of-age novel about a boy named Gene Forrester who, in the summer of 1942, goes about making memories worth cherishing. But, it isn't that simple. In an impulsive moment, everything changes between his life and the life of Phineas "Finny".

The writing style is only slightly above average and doesn't leave a mark with its uniqueness. The chapters are long and pretty abstract at times. Knowles sets the perfect backdrop of the World War in relation with the schooling but there is no flow to the story. It doesn't take a philosopher to understand the underlying schemes and depth of the story. 

The story is extremely average and I personally don't see why it is celebrated so much as a classic. I really wished it were written better just to sugarcoat whatever strength lacked in the idea. 

CONCLUSION: I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone other than someone who's studying American literature.