Perfect Days

A medical student in Rio de Janeiro becomes obsessed with a screenwriting student he meets at a party. Teo lives a regimented life caring for his disabled mother and practicing on cadavers at medical school, until his encounter with Clarice disrupts his routine. What begins as infatuation escalates into a dark pursuit as Teo's fixation intensifies. His actions set off a sequence of events that take them both on an unexpected journey across Brazil's landscape, from coastal cities to remote inland locations. The novel explores themes of control, identity, and the line between love and possession. Through its examination of an unbalanced mind, Perfect Days raises questions about the nature of reality versus fantasy and the stories people tell themselves to justify their choices.

Readers describe this psychological thriller as dark, unsettling, and reminiscent of books like Gone Girl and You. Many appreciate the author's ability to create mounting tension and maintain suspense throughout the story. Positive reviews highlight: - Fast-paced plotting - Unpredictable twists - Vivid Brazilian setting - Effective first-person narration Common criticisms: - Too disturbing/graphic for some readers - Characters feel one-dimensional - Plot becomes far-fetched - Translation feels clunky at times Several readers note the book made them physically uncomfortable but couldn't put it down. One reviewer called it "a stomach-turning rollercoaster that I both regret and don't regret reading." Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (13,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (1,200+ ratings) LibraryThing: 3.5/5 (300+ ratings) Most frequent comparison is to Stephen King's Misery, though readers note Perfect Days takes darker turns.

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🔍 Despite being only 27 when he wrote "Perfect Days," Raphael Montes was already an established crime writer in Brazil with multiple published works. 🌎 The novel was originally written in Portuguese under the title "Dias Perfeitos" and became an international bestseller after being translated into English. 📚 The book's disturbing premise was partly inspired by Stephen King's "Misery," which Montes has cited as one of his favorite novels. 🎬 The film rights to "Perfect Days" were acquired by RT Features, the production company behind critically acclaimed movies like "Call Me By Your Name." 🏥 Montes drew from his own medical studies at university to create authentically detailed scenes involving the main character Teo's medical knowledge and procedures.