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)

Not the best literature in the world BUT

The author manages to convey a fascinatingly stilted and obsessive character bent on self improvement that I’d almost beyond comprehension. I enjoyed it. It rang true throughout, and I appreciate how it managed to resist becoming a cliched love story.

A good story.

It was not my typical type of book to listen to but it was a good story and I enjoyed it.

Wonderful story!

Oh, what a treat!!!!!!!!!
Once I started this I couldn't turn it off until it was finished.

I saw the movie a few years ago but didn't realize it had been based on a book.

A glimpse into the lives of two fragile people and family members. Sad at times but there was indeed a silver lining.
I like books about people who deal with real problems, just as in real life, but not talked about as much as they should be.

This one is not to be missed! And I don't even like football which is a small part of the story line.:)

Narration was wonderful.

Now I have to watch the movie again!

Worth more than Silver

This caught my eye because I think Cooper is a very good actor though didn't know why he was on the book cover. That's right I never saw or even knew it was a movie.

Love the book and showing how simple joys should matter to us. You never know what others have or are going through so give them some leeway and enjoy. Good to treat everyone this way.

#HealthChallenges #Witty #Underdog #Friends #Heartfelt #tagsgiving #sweepstakes

poignantly wonderful

I didn't care for the book at the beginning but I wanted to give it a chance and I'm really glad I did. There's so much of so many of us in this story...

love love love this book

Narrator brought the book to life. Happy to say this was one of the few books I've read that the movie did it justice.

I was really hesitant

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

Absolutely!!!

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

Well, the dance scene was completely different than the movie, and I thing overall the book was better than the movie even though the movie was excellent

What about Ray Porter’s performance did you like?

He was easy to listen to, good acting and separation of characters

Who was the most memorable character of The Silver Linings Playbook and why?

The Father, because the book gave you more insight into the character

Any additional comments?

I very rarely if ever get a book after seeing the movie...I am sure that had I read the book before the movie the movie wouldn't have been as good as it was. That is how good this book is.....it is even better than a very good movie....in fact I didn't fill in Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence into the characters like you usually do with a book turned movie..SO SO HAPPY I DECIDED TO DOWNLOAD!!!

Wish I had listened sooner!

Man! what a listen ! the story is incredible, the narration on point. Now I wanna watch the movie! anyway, highly recommend giving this a listen.

Great Read! great writing.

I saw the movie first and read the book and I highly recommend doing that in that order and now I'm going to watch the movie again to try to spot differences that I didn't recall from when I originally watched it.

Eagles Victory

Pat has returned home after spending time in a "bad place" with no recollection of the last 4 years. His mother, brother, best friend, and new therapist provide support and are all avid Eagles fans. Pat works out incessantly, reads good works of literature, and tries to be nicer in hopes of finding his way back to his estranged wife Nikki. Photos of the two are gone from the family home and Pat doesn't understand why no one will tell him what happened. He believes if he transforms, she will take him back.

Enter the clinically depressed sister-in-law of his best friend as a blind date and the story takes shape. She is real and visceral and they see each other through the myriad medications and mental road blocks.

Pat speaks to the reader in a straightforward dialogue, often addressing you personally. He refuses to give up or give in to pessimism, believing every cloud has a silver lining. This is a bittersweet love story and with equal parts humor and sorrow. Finishing the book left me with the idea, the only way to move on is to simply let go.