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)

Great, Great, Great!!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Definitely! The story is very good, the reading is entertaining and it's paced well.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I love the psychiatrist. The two main characters are fantastic, but the doctor is the best!

Which scene was your favorite?

I liked the scene when the doctor introduced himself as an Eagles fan. He makes a connection with Pat and builds the rapport needed in a therapeutic relationship. It also was very humorous.

If you could rename The Silver Linings Playbook, what would you call it?

I like the title. Who am I to change anything?

Any additional comments?

I haven't seen the movie, and I am happy I listened to the book first. Ray Porter's reading is entertaining and thoroughly enjoyable. He uses accents where appropriate, without being patronizing or stereotypical. Good listen all around!

An unexpected page turner

I didn't know anything coming in to this book but it ended up taking me for the full ride. And I'm typically a Scifi/adventure guy so a 'people' book better be pretty interesting to keep my attention. In particular, Porter's delivery of Pat's mental state was fascinating (his pronunciation and diction helped establish and develop the character) and the story kept dragging me along through its artful construction and slow reveals. Definitely worth a read.

Loved this book!

I have loved this movie since it was released, now that I have heard the book- it is even more endearing. I think it is a great book for people who are struggling or know someone battling depression and mental illness. I would recommend it to anyone over 16!

Excellent narration!

This book gives a wonderful perspective, given from the point of view of someone with serious mental illness. It is smart, funny when you don't expect it to be, and full of hope despite hardship. There seems to be a lot of repetition in the beginning, because it is told in first person, but it continues to change and improve as the character's mind continues to heal, and comes across as very deliberate. The characters are very well described and developed, through the eyes of the narrator with the help of excellent reading by Ray Porter. This performer did a flawless job of switching voices for each character, and a using a particular accent that fit with each person. He really nailed the accent of people from the region where the book takes place. (jersey and Philadelphia areas). The F-word seems to be used a bit excessively by a couple characters, to the point that it loses it's drama or emphasis, pulling me out of my immersion in the book and characters temporarily because it didn't seem like them anymore, just the writer gleefully enjoying his ability to type the word repetitively on his keyboard. Overall though, a fantastic book. I now have the desire to read another book narrated by Ray Porter as well.

Great Book

What made the experience of listening to The Silver Linings Playbook the most enjoyable?

To be honest I read the Kindle version more than I listened to the Audible version. But, when I did listen, it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the novel. I listened when I needed to lay back and close my eyes for a few minutes.

What did you like best about this story?

I liked the characters and how they made the overall story mesh

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

I liked Mr Porter's read of Pat. Audio books are great but when it comes to characters, having a male imitate the female characters is bad idea. I don't know how that would be effectively carried off without having multiple readers, male and female. But in general, nothing could ruin this book. I enjoyed the book and characters too much to let my petty concerns interfere.

If you could rename The Silver Linings Playbook, what would you call it?

Blue Sy Through the Dark Clouds..But that sounds lame. The Silver Linings Playbook fits perfectly..

Any additional comments?

I am glad I read this book. I don't think I could see the movie in a theater. I woiuld be the teary eyed guy walking out at the end.

Even better than the movie

I loved the movie and decided to read the book, thinking that someone obviously knew a lot about these mental disorders so I was curious about what else the book would reveal. The movie followed most of the book very closely, but the unbelievable Hollywood ending was concocted for the movie. Therefore I found the book much more believable and satisfying. They didn't need the unreal ending - the book had a fine one. I loved it.

Loved it!

This story quickly pulls you in and keeps you listening. If you liked the (excellent) movie, pick up this book to revisit the characters and the story. You shouldn't be disappointed.

The narrator's performance was a bit weak for some of the women characters, but I can forgive him for that as his Pat and many of his other characters were great. I had a lot of fun listening to this book and finished it quite quickly. Now I'm stuck twiddling my thumbs until my next credit arrives.

SPECTACULAR AUDIBLE EXPERIENCE.,BETTER THAN MOVIE

What made the experience of listening to The Silver Linings Playbook the most enjoyable?

THE ABILITY TO RELY ON MY IMAGINATION. WAS A WONDERFUL CHANGE OF VENUE. READERS VOICE WAS VERY EFFECTIVE AND PLEASANT WHEN HE CHANGED TO DIFFERENT PEOPLE. ESP...THE ASIAN INVASION.

What did you like best about this story?

THE HONESTY OF THE 2 LEAD CHARACTERS COMPLEX LIVES AND HOW THEY INTERWOVE WITH EACH OTHER. LOVED PAT AND TIFFANY.

What does Ray Porter bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

IMAGINATION, EXCITEMENT, ANTICIPATION WITH THE REAL ABILITY TO RELAX AND SIMPLY LISTEN TO A WONDERFUL BOOK.,WITHOUT EYE STRAIN.

If you could rename The Silver Linings Playbook, what would you call it?

WHAT YOU THINK IS DESTINY, MAY BE NOT WHAT YOU EXPECTED.

Any additional comments?

LOVE,LOVE,LOVE THIS EXPERIENCE. WILL CONTINUE EAGERLY TO BUILD MY LIBRARY. THANK YOU!

Interesting!

it was interesting. I want to see the movie, now. Good job, Quick. Wii refer.

Very Touching

I remembered that I liked the movie but couldn’t recall the specifics about it. The book was well written and the audio well done. What a great freebie surprise!