The Good Patient

by Kristin Waterfield Duisberg

Darien is a young woman who seems to have everything: a successful job, an adoring husband, and a bright future. She also has a tendency towards violent, self-destructive outbursts when she's alone. When her private life spirals out of control, her husband and her therapist desperately try to help her uncover her horrible secrets before she destroys herself. Unfortunately, she just as desperately tries to keep them hidden.

Genres: Fiction, Mental Illness, Mental Health, Book Club, Womens, Psychology

336 pages, Paperback

First published February 13, 2003

About the author

Kristin Waterfield Duisberg has taught creative writing at Boston University and the Grub Street Writers Workshop in Boston. She has worked in professional communications for J.P. Morgan and Massachusetts General Hospital and currently is the editor of the UNH Magazine at the University of New Hampshire. She lives in New Hampshire with her husband, two children, and two exceedingly hairy golden retrievers. A graduate of Bowdoin College and the Boston University creative writing program, she is the author of two novels: AFTER (Engine Books, 2014), and THE GOOD PATIENT (St. Martin's Press, 2003).

Reviews

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Good Patient" by Kristin Duisberg is a captivating novel that delves deeply into the complexities of the human psyche through a compelling first-person narrative. The author skillfully explores the intricacies of the main character's mind, offering a profound insight into her struggles and emotional journey. As the reader navigates the character's inner world, they are confronted with the profound question of how well one truly knows themselves.

Duisberg masterfully portrays the ways in which the protagonist shields her emotions, drawing parallels that many readers can relate to in their own lives. While there is a significant secret that the character hides from herself, the novel is not centered around unraveling a mystery or building suspense. Instead, it serves as a poignant reflection on the importance of allowing oneself to truly experience and embrace the complexities of life.

Overall, "The Good Patient" is a beautifully crafted novel that encourages readers to delve into the depths of their emotions and confront the intricacies of their own inner worlds. It offers a powerful message about the significance of being vulnerable, feeling deeply, and ultimately embracing the full spectrum of human experience. It's a must-read for those who appreciate introspective narratives that resonate on a profound emotional level.

[Kait · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. I was a big fan of Walter and Robert. The only two things I didn’t like was the unrealistic relationship between psychiatrist and the main character and the ending. Personally I feel like there was no resolution. If there was one more chapter where Robert talked it out with Darien for good it would have been best. I was also not a fan of Walter running through the fence at the end and Robert lack of concern about it. Overall it was a good read. I liked the sessions with Darien and the psychiatrist for the most part and her wild life really sucked me in.

[Jane Banning · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a complicated book to review. If you're fascinated by mental health, loss, recovery, and internal (personal) processes, you might like it a lot, as I did. I actually bought it by mistake and then couldn't put it down. The craft elements (voice, themes, language, pacing) are all spot on. The details of the protagonist's struggles are grueling, though, and not for everyone. I gained a good measure of empathy for people who experience significant, devastating loss. I'm glad I read it.

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked it but I did not love it. I found it sad, depressing and confusing. When I finished I felt like I missed something. Just my opinion.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely not funny. Wish I could give it three and a half stars. Probably would have given four stars but the ending was very flat. Loved the relationships shown between therapist and patient.

[Stella Robinson · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was just weird. Spent the whole time thinking when is the story going to happen and not just be the inside of this crazy lady’s brain. I liked the dog though

[Christa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this may have been one of the best books I ever read. It was the kind of read where you just want to race through it, but the subject matter is so trying that it really makes you take a couple pauses to think.

The main character, Darien, seems to be your average, mid-20s New York City PR professional on the outside. But inside is a whole different story, because mentally, she's a wreck. She's a self-harmer, in ways that go beyond cutting. The whole story is pretty much about her relationship with her husband--who doesn't seem to understand her--and with her psychiatrist, as they work through the painful memories that made Darien what she is.

My favorite part of this, by far, were the parts that dealt with Darien and her psychiatrist. The psychiatrist, Dr. Lindholm, was an absolute pleasure to read. We have this young woman who's a mental wreck, and insistent upon keeping what's making her tick hidden, and Dr. Lindholm slowly, carefully, and thoughtfully draws her out. The patient-doctor relationship was pretty much perfect, and not because either of them were model patients or model doctors. It was just how they related to each other that made them fit so well.

The only thing, though, is I'm not sure how true-to-life some of the psychiatrist-related parts were, because I don't believe the writer has any medical experience. I think it would have made the book even better if she did, but I know that's being picky.

I just loved this book, though, so I'm definitely going to have to try the author's next one.

[Mok · Rating 3 out of 5]

THE GOOD PATIENT is a serious book written by a first time writer. It is Well written and informational.

A woman, who has psychological issues has been to many therapists about her problems. She really is not interested in getting well and actually sabotages
her therapy sessions. That is until she meets a new therapist that is different from the rest.

The reading is not for the frail. The author vividly describes how the injuries occur to the subject-blow by blow.

I never quite understood why sick people must mutilate themselves but after reading the book, I do understand that pain may become an emotional outlet for those that are ill. Pain may be the only way that these hurt people can feel alive.


Although I recommend this book, I was literally worn out at the end of the reading.

[Melissa Lee-Tammeus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book - right up my alley. A chick and a counselor. Chick is alcoholic and hurts herself a lot. We don't know why. Counselor helps her. Husband is really confused. Chick has psychotic break discovering why she hurts herself. Counselor helps her. It doesn't work. Husband helps her. It doesn't work. Ending - I won't tell. Excellent book for anyone who is interested in the psyche and how it all goes down in the counseling chair and in the client chair. Kudos. Not sappy. Smart and clever and quick witted while still getting an excellent plot across.

[Taylor · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was actually a rather odd book. I was following along with it, until the middle came where it seemed to have flipped to incessant, confusing, mind-racing fragments. But nothing was as disappointing as the end; now that's what you call a n incomplete conclusion. You can't just leave it at that, when just pages before that seemed impossible! And no sign of a sequel.. Other than the insanely disappointing conclusion, the book was a blend of psychotic irregularities in a half reality, half dream world of surprising normalcy. Do we ever really know what we want? Obviously not.

[Erin Coleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Darien was such a fun character to follow: witty, smart, vulnerable, self-destructive... I got way more emotionally involved in her relationship with her and her husband than I expected to, which (spoilers) made the end a little frustrating for me. He knows Darien inside and out and loves her for all her flaws, but somehow he can't wrap his mind around the fact that she didn't lie to him on purpose? I don't know, I kind of wanted to smack him upside the head for not being there for her.

[Teresa Difiore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely and eloquently written depicting the daily struggles as well as denials of a woman facing mental health issues. On the exterior we see a highly intelligent successful, charismatic character avoiding a would be downfall to her mental state. Her ways of dealing with pain and anger as she suppresses family memories so as to avoid pain keep one glued to the page...when will she finally unravel? Highly recommend this well rounded and intellectually stimulating book.
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[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book gives a really interesting look at the way someone who seemingly has it all can totally fall apart. People's lives are not as perfect as they sometimes seem on the outside. I was a little disappoitned by the ending, but I still recommend it.

[Gabi Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very, very good

[Sarah]

I would reccomend this book to anyone who has the vague feeling that they loathe themselves and is self-destructing their way to a hard, clear vision of why.

[Dee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the story of a self-destructive young woman with secrets that she has buried in her subconscious. Her husband and therapist try to help her before she goes too far.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it but I felt there was something missing which I could not quite put my finger on.