My first impression of “The Patient” left me ravenous for more. DeWitt immediately sucked me in by his vivid description of what seems to be a creepy, yet intriguing psychiatric facility. Aside from Parker, a doctor who just accepted a job at the aforementioned psychiatric facility, we are really only introduced to the head nurse, Nessie, and a lifelong patient, Joe. Parker approaches Nessie about his desires to work with and possibly “cure” Joe, and she reacts with a forceful warning that this is not a good idea. Nessie cautions that even encountering Joe could cause one to feel the need to be locked up in the facility. Parker becomes more intrigued by Nessie’s warning, and begins to investigate the circumstances surrounding Joe’s admission to the facility. Based on the notes from Joe’s admission when he was 6 years old, there is a seemingly complex clinical puzzle involved and less than substantial data to help Parker connect the pieces.
I love the language that DeWitt uses to paint the setting of where the story is taking place. His descriptions mirror the psychiatric institutes in much of the literature describing the problems within the psychiatric world. DeWitt hooked me quickly and left me anxious to find out Joe’s story and his plans to provide treatment.
I love the language that DeWitt uses to paint the setting of where the story is taking place. His descriptions mirror the psychiatric institutes in much of the literature describing the problems within the psychiatric world. DeWitt hooked me quickly and left me anxious to find out Joe’s story and his plans to provide treatment.