The book Shutter Island is a suspenseful thriller novel
written by Dennis Lehane, released in 2003. Mr. Lehane has also written Mystic
River, The Given Day, and just recently Live by Night. Mr. Lehane has
frequently adopted the act of loss and despair to one or more characters in his
novels; for example: he did this in both Shutter Island and Mystic River.
The story takes place at Ashecliffe Hospital for the most
dangerous of insane people. It’s on an island on the East coast of the United
States. Two Federal Marshals are sent there too investigate the disappearance
of one the patients. But what the marshals don’t know is that something bad is
going on at Ashecliffe, something that, if exposed, could bring the U.S.
Government as a whole. As for the story’s theme: always know your limits, never
go too far or else you will get yourself into a situation you can’t get out of.
This is quite a fitting theme for the story but with a story as complex as
this, I’m sure it has multiple themes.
As the marshals spent more and more time on the island the
hospitality given to them became less and less existent. Head Dr. Cawley seemed
to never do all that he could for them though he said he was. Just as well, the
orderlies and nurses seemed to disrespect the marshals with an unfavorable
tone. The marshals Teddy Daniels and Chuck Aule caught on pretty quick that
they weren’t welcome and ventured to find out why. Originally though, they
wanted to depart and file a basic report. However, a hurricane was coming up on
their location, causing them to have to stay on the eerie island for an
extended time.
Teddy Daniels would constantly dream about odd occurrences,
barely connected to him, for the most part. He had also lost his wife to a fire
in their apartment. The one who started the fire…was at Shutter Island. Teddy’s
internal conflicts grew larger throughout the novel, bringing with them
tremendous character development.
To put it simply, I loved the book. I originally saw the
film and thoroughly enjoyed it as well. The film compelled me to read the
original book and I must say, I think I like the book a greater amount than the
film. If you’ve seen the film read the book, there are small differences and
some larger ones that make reading it a unique experience, not just a hardcover
copy-and-paste version of the movie. The ending captivated me. Even though I
viewed the film at a previous date, the ending never ceases to amaze me; you
would find it just as shocking as I have. On top of the ending, the character
of Teddy Daniels is virtually intriguing; his development rivals that of say Jack
Torrance from Stephen King’s The Shining.
You must read this novel, it’s one of the best thrillers I
believe I will ever get the chance have read in my lifetime. Yeah, it’s so good
of a story that I’m comparing it to thrillers I haven’t even read yet. The
setting it great for a suspenseful story and it’s time era, post WW2, is
fantastic as well, it really compliments the story’s believability. At the same
time, the characters and conflicts are as unique as they are fascinating. If
you don’t read this book, you would be missing out on an golden opportunity as
a reader.
Book Review by Josef S.
