The Silent Patient

by Alex Michaelides

I never seemed to find the special connection I longed for. I had believed I was too damaged, too incapable of intimacy.

As babies we are trapped in a strange, alien world, unable to see properly, constantly surprised at our bodies, alarmed by hunger and wind and bowel movements, overwhelmed by our feelings. We are quite literally under attack.

Max was imposing, balding, and his face was speckled with deep acne scars.