David Putnam's Reviews > The Silent Patient

I felt the same, but did finish it anyway, guess we're in the minority!

Yes, I do find it odd to be in the minority. I really wanted to like it. The premise was great, but the execution not so much.

d.

I've had this one on my to read list for awhile, but I've been leery. Based on this review, it's time to pull it off. Too many other good books to read and not enough time.

I read it before it became popular- a mediocre book with a poor ending- very good idea but not enough experience

I, for one, felt that the book satisfied me in the same way in which, my favorite film, Fight Club, did. In this thread, I am the minority, because I want to read it again to pick up on the details I failed to understand!

Brandy wrote: "I, for one, felt that the book satisfied me in the same way in which, my favorite film, Fight Club, did. In this thread, I am the minority, because I want to read it again to pick up on the details..."
Loved Fight Club.
This book was just a little too slow for me.

It is rather lackluster; low on action. The entire plot hinges on the surprise twist at the end.

Both points are valid. I like the psychological thrill—I particularly enjoyed the build up to the end. Perhaps, I am slow (I am not trying to gain sympathy; rather, I am being truthful. I have a TBI [Traumatic Brain Injury] and because of the condition, things are oftentimes “over my head” the first time, especially—I unwillingly allow details to zoom past my consciousness now. Also, I have only recently begun to read novels, again). I think that it is an interesting story).

I thought it was phenomenal, and could not put it down. One of my favorite thrillers I've read in recent years.

I guess it just too slow of a burn for me. I'm reading Survivor Song by Tremblay and I'm really loving it. Its a very focused virus story in the point of view of two strong female characters. Might be a little too close to home for some.

I"ve been wanting to read Survivor Song! Let us know how you like it. BTW, I liked The Silent Patient, but didn't think it was original and as great as everyone else thought it was apparently.

Great review!Criminally overrated book with little substance. shallow characters and predictable plot.I really don't understand what is all fuss about.

Frank wrote: "I"ve been wanting to read Survivor Song! Let us know how you like it. BTW, I liked The Silent Patient, but didn't think it was original and as great as everyone else thought it was apparently."
;-)

Sasa aka Sasko wrote: "Great review!Criminally overrated book with little substance. shallow characters and predictable plot.I really don't understand what is all fuss about."

;-)

I've heard a lot about this book, some good, some bad.

I was told it was a thriller, and it wasn't. It was a drama, which is fine.

I was also bored by the descriptions of painting (as I'm not into that) and his ramblings about his marriage.

Edgle wrote: "I've heard a lot about this book, some good, some bad."

Edgle wrote: "I've heard a lot about this book, some good, some bad."
This one wasn't for me but I could see how other folks would enjoy it.

Good honest review David, yes life's too short to persist sometimes!

Thanks. ;-)

I gave this one 4 stars, and that's the great thing about books - different strokes

;-)

Sorry it was a lousy read for you, Dave, but you gave it enough of a try. I think you like to read books that reflect the way you write. Your books are always exciting and draw me in. Thank you for that ;+)

Sorry we disagree on this book. It may be slower moving than you like but the whole theme took time to develop. You would have understood more if you had finished the book as the ending explains everything.

Sophie wrote: "Sorry it was a lousy read for you, Dave, but you gave it enough of a try. I think you like to read books that reflect the way you write. Your books are always exciting and draw me in. Thank you for..."

;-)

My thoughts exactly. I could not become interested in the plot or the characters. (I thought in light of the best-seller status that I missed something.)

Joe wrote: "My thoughts exactly. I could not become interested in the plot or the characters. (I thought in light of the best-seller status that I missed something.)"

;-)

This one should never have been marketed as a thriller-psychological or otherwise. Even the author doesn't like that label.

Yeah, by calling it a thriller, they're giving readers false expectations, and then the ratings are lower, and that's not fair to the writer or the readers.

Exactly.

Yep. I'm 11 chapters in and I can't figure out why Theo wants to take her case. I can't figure him out either.

Stephanie wrote: "Yep. I'm 11 chapters in and I can't figure out why Theo wants to take her case. I can't figure him out either."

My inability to drop into this book might come from my writing. I try to do three things in the opening of a book; first and foremost endear the reader to the main character, second I try to set the conflict of the story so reader knows, "oh this is what I'm going to get," and third and just as important I set the tone. All three of these things are a contract with the reader. So when some readers say, you should've read further, or it doesn't grab until page 100, I've already dropped out of the story. Good bad or ugly it's just my personal tastes.
d.

You have to read to the end to get into it. Is that fair?

Audrey wrote: "You have to read to the end to get into it. Is that fair?"

Was this question for me?

d.

Sorry it didn't work for you! I personally loved this one!

Meredith B. wrote: "Sorry it didn't work for you! I personally loved this one!"

Thanks, I might give it another try down the road but I have so many already on the pile. ;-)

Good call, David. If it wasn’t on my Kindle I would have thrown the book across the room, for reasons I can’t disclose without spoiling it.

Thank you. ;-)

It definitely doesn’t pick up until towards the end. I liked it, but sometimes it takes me a few tries to get into a book. That said, there are far too many books to read to waste time on a book you just aren’t enjoying. Just MHO.

Susanna wrote: "It definitely doesn’t pick up until towards the end. I liked it, but sometimes it takes me a few tries to get into a book. That said, there are far too many books to read to waste time on a book yo..."
;-)

David wrote: "Audrey wrote: "You have to read to the end to get into it. Is that fair?"

Was this question for me?

d."

Kind of rhetorical. Answering the question will tell you if it's worth reading.

Audrey wrote: "David wrote: "Audrey wrote: "You have to read to the end to get into it. Is that fair?"

Was this question for me?

d."

Kind of rhetorical. Answering the question will tell you if it's worth reading."

Gottcha, sorry should've seen that.

way over-rated book I read it when it first came out and was unknown.The story got weaker and weaker and the end of stupid beyond belief sorry. This author has talent but way over-rated book

Clark wrote: "Sorry we disagree on this book. It may be slower moving than you like but the whole theme took time to develop. You would have understood more if you had finished the book as the ending explains ev..."

the ending is a non believable train wreck lol

Rich wrote: "way over-rated book I read it when it first came out and was unknown.The story got weaker and weaker and the end of stupid beyond belief sorry. This author has talent but way over-rated book"

:-)

Thought it was a bit over-rated as well, though I did finish. A bad conclusion, which tends to tick me off...

Michael wrote: "Thought it was a bit over-rated as well, though I did finish. A bad conclusion, which tends to tick me off..."

I agree. Too much of a slow burn with nothing really happening so I moved on. :-)

I finished this, and it really wasn’t worth the aggravation. I truly hated this book. It had an interesting hook, but not a single character was likable and I hated spending time with them. It was very poorly written.

Maggie wrote: "I finished this, and it really wasn’t worth the aggravation. I truly hated this book. It had an interesting hook, but not a single character was likable and I hated spending time with them. It was ..."

I agree. :-)

Ok, so far I have read 100 pages, and I am hating this book, I am feeling like it should have gotten good or interesting by now, ok I will give it a go for a few more pages 😡 but if it does not get any better, I am not wasting my time on a bad book 📚

My sentiments exactly. :-)