The Silver Linings Playbook

A Novel

By: Matthew Quick

Narrated by: Ray Porter

Length: 7 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

A New York Times bestseller, The Silver Linings Playbook was adapted into the Oscar-winning movie starring Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence.

The Silver Linings Playbook is the riotous and poignant story of how one man regains his memory and comes to terms with the magnitude of his wife’s betrayal, an enchanting first novel about love, madness, and Kenny G.

During the years he spends in a neural health facility, Pat Peoples formulates a theory about silver linings: he believes his life is a movie produced by God, his mission is to become physically fit and emotionally supportive, and his happy ending will be the return of his estranged wife, Nikki. The problem is that Pat is now home, living with his parents, and everything seems off; no one will talk to him about Nikki; his old friends are saddled with families; the Philadelphia Eagles keep losing, making his father moody; and his new therapist seems to be recommending adultery as a form of therapy.

When Pat meets the tragically widowed, physically fit, and clinically depressed Tiffany, she offers to act as a liaison between him and his wife, but only if he will give up watching football, agree to perform in this year’s Dance Away Depression competition, and promise not to tell anyone about their “contract.” All the while, Pat keeps searching for his silver lining.

In this brilliantly written debut novel, Matthew Quick takes us inside Pat’s mind, deftly showing us the world from his distorted yet endearing perspective. The result is a touching and funny story that helps us look at both depression and love in a wonderfully refreshing way.

©2008 Matthew Quick (P)2008 Blackstone Audio

Critic reviews

"This offbeat story has all the markings of a crowd-pleaser." ( Publishers Weekly)

Even better than the movie!

I was expecting this book to be pretty much the same as the movie, which I really enjoyed. The book follows a fairly different story arc than the movie, with less of an emphasis on the dance and the relationship with Tiffany, and more of an emphasis on Patrick's philosophy and recovery...and his love of the Eagles. The narrator was perfect--he captured Pat's boy-like manner, and also did a great accent for Cliff, the Indian psychologist. All in all a really great listen!

Better than the Movie

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Silver Linings Playbook?

When Tiffany begins to act as the intermediary and reads Nickie's letters to Pat. This was an important turning point in the story - I started to sympathize with his obsession of Nickie. Why? Well, there was finally a dialogue - Nickie was responding to his letters and his sadness over the loss of their marriage. This point in the story justified Pat's longing and belief that he and Nickie had a chance. It was only momentarily but there was this moment of suspended belief. When the letters began, there was a glimpse and reason to believe that their love was reciprocal. It was again a fleeting moment in the story. The dynamic between Tiffany, Pat and Nickie is explored at this point in the story.

Which character – as performed by Ray Porter – was your favorite?

Pat - he was dynamic and depressed. Ray Porter was able to convey both desperation and elation.

If you could take any character from The Silver Linings Playbook out to dinner, who would it be and why?

no one- all too crazy for me. His mom would cry when anything heartwarming happening; his dad is just an on'ry asshole and his brothers are nice but still...brothers. Personally, I have my own and if i want a brother over for dinner, I'll just invite him. He's enough of a brother! I don't need more characters to add to the table.

Any additional comments?

so good. the movie, as far as i am concerned sucks. I haven't been able to finish it. I say, read /listen to this and skip the movie. The audio is pretty awesome and i really enjoyed listening to it.

Not Impressed

The Narration was perfectly fine and the quality of it wasn't an issue, it was the story that was lacking for me. It was redundant in the worst of ways, and very slow moving. I'd lost interest so many times I found myself having to force myself to listen to it. I was really disappointed because I'd liked the movie so much. Needless to say I would sooner recommend the movie than the book to anyone else.

Breathtaking. Eye-opening. Grabs you.

I ordered this without reading other reviews - a first for me. Loved the author's style, structure, character development, and story. I can't wait to see the movie now, but I have a feeling this will be one where I love the book better. I fell in love with the characters and the pacing was just perfect. Could not 'put it down'. Wonderful.

Good book about coping and mental illness.

Is there anything you would change about this book?

It sometimes got jarring to me when the character repeated things over and over. Sometimes I was afraid the audible version was stuck. I imagine reading the book would not have had this problem.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

To know what mental illness feels like from the insider view. It also was the most frustrating because you realized his assumptions were false and you just wanted to squeeze him and tell him to forget Nikki!

I also enjoyed his take on all the classic books he read and how for the most part they were pretty depressing.

I thought the book good, but their were so many things going on that the story didn't handle well. His father was such a big fat jerk that I wanted some closure on him that never came.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

It was adequate, not outstanding. I didn't like the narrators women's voices very much.

Do you think The Silver Linings Playbook needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

It could have another book, but I don't think I would read it. The first one wasn't that good. I haven't seen the movie, but normally a book is better than the movie.

I really enjoyed this!

Any additional comments?

I really liked this story. I wasn't in love with the narrator at first, but then realized he really was the character Pat. I am looking forward to seeing the movie now, to compare the stories. Enjoy

Great book, great narrator!

Would you listen to The Silver Linings Playbook again? Why?

Absolutely and I can't wait to see the movie!

Who was your favorite character and why?

I think the therapist is awesome.

Which scene was your favorite?

Probably Pat waking up to Kenny G standing in front of him.

The power of positive thinking

So when I went to watch this movie, I saw it was based on a novel by Matthew quick, I'd previously never heard of this author. I enjoyed the movie thoroughly so I decided to get the book. Needless to say the movie and the book a quite different from each other but I loved this book.

Firstly the message Pat is trying to live by, he wants to be a better person to try get back his wife Nicky so he "practices to be kind and not right" as he puts it and believes in silver linings as long as he practice to be kind and not right. Of course life is not perfect and we cannot control other people actions. Pat tries to re-connect with his father and visits "the best therapist in the world" while he tries to piece his life together after being in a mental facility. If Pat is crazy then Victoria is more crazy but her heart in a good place. I loved the message and theme for this book; being positive, kind and hope that every chapter you read you are continuously hopeful that Pat can get better and his silver lining will come.

Secondly since I watched the movie before reading the book I was a little surprised by the narration. The narrator sounded a little slow (mentally), though the character suffers from a mental disorder (bipolar syndrome) he is not slow nor suffers from a low IQ. So at first I was slightly surprised, but I soon got over this and the narrator drew me to the story and when it was over, it felt too soon. This book is definitely a repeat listen for me, and I recommend it because the book gives you hope and makes you a believer in silver linings.

I expected more.

I have to admit I saw the movie before listening to the audio book and even though I expected differences I was a bit taken aback. I was a bit annoyed with Pat seeming child like with his thinking, I don't know if that had to do with his mental illness or what but there was a great deal of effort into writing about his thought process, perhaps I missed the point of the story. Overall the story was fine, I didn't like the narrator too much though. He seemed very monotone no emotion. Again, perhaps that was the books tone.

An excellent novel...

I really enjoyed the movie and was curious about the book after a friend of mine told me how different it was. It was VERY different from the movie, but equally as good.