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)

Loved this book and narrator!

What did you love best about The Silver Linings Playbook?

The story was so well written and insightful. I thought it was well edited with no spare parts. I enjoyed the development of the characters and how I came to appreciate them.

What about Ray Porter’s performance did you like?

Wonderful tone of voice and no over acting.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes! I couldn't make it, but it had my interest from the very beginning.

Any additional comments?

Keep writing Matthew....I will be waiting for the next book.

Loved it!

Loved this book! It was hilarious, insightful, and sad...all at the same time. Although I don't think I suffer from a mental illness, I found it easy to relate to the main character as he went through all of the emotions of losing someone he loved.

I was pretty surprised to have enjoyed this one..

I didn't know anything about this book until the movie came out, but I hadn't yet seen the movie when I decided to listen to the audiobook. I did so based on some of the reviews, but I didn't have real high hopes for it, since it appeared to be the typical quirky romantic chick flick story, albeit with a little twist (mental illness).

I was wrong. I loved it. It was sweet, but tragic, it didn't wrap things up too neatly in the end to be believable, but it did give you an ending you were happy with. It was funny, but sad. Crazy, but kind of normal. I loved the main character, and the narrator was excellent. The only thing I might change is that he had a tendency to occasionally speak in a more childish voice than I would have liked, when it comes to the main characters delusional thought processes, as if being bipolar makes you borderline retarded or something. Other than that, it was perfect.

I watched the movie afterwards, and though it did have a few major differences from the book, it was still a decent movie. I will almost always choose the book over a movie, though, and that was definitely the case here. I might actually even listen to this one again, at some point.

GREAT!

What about Ray Porter’s performance did you like?

I thought the voices were great. Especially the doctor. Great job!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

If I had time I would have. I finished it in under 3 days.

Any additional comments?

Not sure I liked the ending. The women in the book, except the mom, were very abrasive and mean.

Better than the movie

I was skeptical I would enjoy this book as I thought the movie was so so. As with most books turned into films, the deeper dive into the characters and their story was worth the listen. Ray Porter did a fine job of playing multiple characters, conveying their emotions. I rooted for Pat to find his silver lining. Tiffany’s weird ways became a satisfying conclusion. Pat’s father didn’t deserve his wife or sons but I did wonder how his dour personality was formed.

I’m not a football fan and thus found the Eagles passages annoying, but they are central in Pat’s life. Cliff, his therapist was a completely enjoyable character. The reveal of Pat’s amnesia was well timed and somewhat anticlimactic.

I recommend this if you’re looking for a book that explores the interior landscape of a character searching for happiness amid confusion surrounding tragedy, though self-induced.

better than the movie

I thought this book was going to be exactly like the movie. I love the movie. This book was much more detailed it really went into the mind of someone who is mentally ill. the author describes the characters very well and the narrator does such an amazing job portraying the feelings and emotions that are going through everybody's mind.

Double review

Book - 3.5/ Movie - 5/ Total review = 4 stars

It wasn't the football that annoyed me, just why did it have to be the Eagles. I loved the book, don't get me wrong, but the obsession with Nikki went too far for me. Plus, the friendship with Tiffany? Throughout the book it seemed like there wasn't much of a friendship really. All in all though I would recommend it. (Oh, and I loved the Asian invasion!) I won't say the movie is better because in this rare case it's comparing apples to oranges, but it crushed my heart and made me happy at the same time. These two actors have great chemistry and I can never pass on a movie with De Niro. So do both book and movie.

Quirky Story

Let me start by saying that the movie version is one of my favorite films. So I already knew I was gonna like this one.

It's a cute quirky love story with some nasty bits of real life thrown in. A good quick read on a weekend. Especially if you've ever experienced mental health woes in relationships.

I love the narrator! It reminded me of listening to Welcome To Nightvale. That same vibe of this wierd is normal and its almost funny.

I shouldn't have waited so long...

This book was so much better than I thought it would be. It's been sitting on my shelf for almost 2 years, but I finally got around to it .... and I couldn't have been more surprised. Honestly, I think my wife picked out this book after seeing the movie and while the movie was enjoyable, the book was better.
Matthew Quick does a good job of keeping you invested in the story without getting TOO sappy. If you are looking for a good story, along with a peak inside the mind of someone struggling with mental illness, it is well worth your time.
Ray Porter is one of the best (as usual)!!

Mistake

I made the mistake of seeing the film before listening to this book, which turns out to be a pretty accurate representation of the book so it brought nothing new to the table. That, however, is not criticism of the book, which is excellent. I would highly recommend to anyone who has not seen the film.