fiercereadsfiction's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Murder and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Self harm and Infidelity
Minor: Sexual assault
monloesco's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Spoiler
the plot twist was good and the fact that the narrator was unreliable was really fun for meSpoiler
I would've loved a confrontation with Kathy and GabrielGraphic: Self harm, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Child abuse, Stalking, Emotional abuse, Medical content, Suicide attempt, Panic attacks/disorders, Addiction, Infidelity, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Car accident, Death of parent, Drug abuse, and Drug use
Minor: Sexual assault
book_lover3103's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Terminal illness, Mental illness, Medical trauma, Infidelity, Gaslighting, Sexual assault, and Gun violence
Minor: Drug abuse
maroar's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Graphic: Infidelity, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Sexism, and Misogyny
asipofcozy's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Let's start with what I liked about the book. I really loved this premise of this women (Alicia) killing her husband and never speaking another word. I enjoyed some of the plot building up to it and weaving in the story of Theo (the psychotherapist). When we were given the diary of Alicia, I devoured those pages. Towards the end I did start to see the story weave together, and I can see why many people enjoy the suspense of this book. And the ending does leave you with that "oh my god" moment. That is, if you don't read spoiler reviews or watch tik Tok videos on it.
Now let's get to the parts I really just do not like.
- None of the characters are lovable/redeemable - especially our main character Theo. A lot of the time I was annoyed with Theo and his internalized monologue. I can't even begin to explain where this dislike comes from. Maybe it was his righteous attitude and how he feels that patient's need to be "saved" and he is the one to do it. Maybe it's because he thinks he is above all and that his feelings are more important than others. Or maybe it's just his smug attitude.
- Every therapist in this book is professionally unqualified - I don't think Michaelides knows much about psychology and/or psychotherapy. As someone that went to school for psychology there was a lot of inaccurate statements given whether it was giving "advice" to the medication suggestions. Once again, this is fiction and I understand that, but it irked me in the wrong way. For example, you don't just decide to lower a dosage for a patient without a lot of consultations and tapering - meaning you do it in very small increments over a period of time. Second, these sessions that Theo has and his clear obsession would not be conducted in any manner. In fact if a board of director saw you becoming obsessed with a patient you would normally be taken off said patient. There was also a lot of "off the books" situations which is very unethical. In fact most of the male doctors would have their licenses stripped if they pulled half that shit in any real clinic.
- How women are viewed - not saying that Michaelides views women in a bad light, but he definitely paints it that way in The Secret Patient. Every single patient in The Grove (mental hospital) are women. Now, if this is mentioned in the book earlier, I missed it. However, it's how the women are treated. Instead of saying these women have mental health issues that they are battling, the male doctors will say they are "crazy" and or "bitches" or "crazy bitches". Even the main female characters Kathy (Theo's wife) and Alicia will call themselves crazy at times. As if as a woman that's all we can be is crazy or bitches. On top of that it's how the male doctors treat the two female doctors. It seems like there is a female board of director but the manager of the grove will consistently talk over her or is okay with going behind her back. Theo will do the same thing with the other female doctors in the book. The females in this book are not taken seriously nor do they get much of a voice. Women are portrayed in the darkest stereotypical light - we are gossipers, liars, crazy, tiresome, disloyal, delusional, vengeful, insecure, and annoying.
Graphic: Child abuse, Murder, Infidelity, Toxic friendship, Gun violence, Death of parent, Death, Violence, Toxic relationship, Suicidal thoughts, Self harm, Sexual assault, Grief, Emotional abuse, Drug use, Drug abuse, Suicide attempt, Alcohol, Mental illness, and Stalking
Minor: Sexual assault and Suicide
abisnail1's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Graphic: Suicide attempt and Gun violence
Minor: Sexual assault
enoki's review
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Violence, Self harm, and Sexual assault
miggyfool's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Abandonment, Addiction, Blood, Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Violence, Car accident, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Self harm, Suicide attempt, Suicide, Body horror, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Medical content, Sexual harassment, Stalking, and Suicidal thoughts
mrouanet_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Sexual assault
daybreakreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Forced institutionalization and Mental illness
Moderate: Death, Self harm, Blood, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Mental illness, Gun violence, and Infidelity
Minor: Animal cruelty, Drug abuse, Drug use, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Car accident, Death of parent, Self harm, and Toxic friendship