7/10
I enjoy watching films with plot twists like Memento, Identity, Fight Club, Primal Fear, and many more. This book also has an unexpectedly surprising plot twist. At the end, I even laughed when I learned the truth; it's a really fresh plot twist, haha.
It tells the story of a psychotherapist (someone who works in a mental hospital and talks to patients) intrigued to investigate a patient who has been silent since her husband's murder. The patient was found in front of her husband's gunshot-ridden body, with a gun on the floor covered in her fingerprints.
No one knows if the patient or the victim's wife is the murderer. After the incident, the patient has remained silent for years until being admitted to a mental hospital.
Theo Faber, the psychotherapist, uncovers clues during his investigation, especially in the patient's paintings. The painting titled "Alcestis," the last one created by the patient, holds many mysteries to be unraveled and becomes the key to solving the case.
"Alcestis" itself is a woman in Greek mythology who, out of deep love for her husband, willingly sacrificed herself to replace her husband's death. Touched by her sacrifice, a deity brought Alcestis back to life. However, after returning to life, she refused to speak.
Throughout reading this 400-page book, I was immersed in psychotherapy practices, scenes of communicating with individuals with disturbed minds, and investigating the patients' families, delving into information about their childhood. Many mental disorders are heavily influenced by childhood wounds. It's a good read for those interested in psychology.