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)

SILVER LININGS OR FAIRY TALE

the silver linings playbook is a tale of mental illness, mr quick did a fair job expressing the thoughts, provocations for behavioral problems, the medication issues, therapy, the bad place, mood swings, the anger, rage, despair, fear, anxiety, coping skills or lack of.
most people suffering from mental illness lack family, friends, a good therapist, isolation is what most find. patrick has positive people in his life, plus he finds another broken soul he can relate to and find affection for. it does not happen that way. this book got so many glowing reviews from listeners. how many have or know someone suffering from depression, anxiety bi polar disorder or mania or those who have no interest in life because they see the world as it really is and choose to escape, run flee, the antidepressents come with warnings, may cause suicidal thoughts, just great for an already depressed person. the right medication "cocktail" required to pull one up from the bleak, ,deep, pit of despair may or may not be found. being alittle quirky, unusual, or a bit of an oddball is not what mental illness is about, it is not an artistic temperment. for most afflicted it is debilitating. there is no light at the end of the tunnel,
there is no balm to pour on to a mind pouring out to much or not enough of the "right" chemicals. the book glosses over the shame or sence of weakness many feel over thier illness, on the plus side at least Mr Quick brought out the fact that yes, Mental Illness is real and opens an avenue for discussion. I would suggest that anyone interested in the topic of this book look into "the black dog" used by Winston Churchill to describe his affliction and has been adopted by a group helping those with depression and bipolar disorders.

Loved it.

Even with or maybe because of all the football references. Funny and truthful and so well read. Great job Mr Quick and Mr Porter!

Reader was great!

I really liked the guy who read the book. Did a great job! I would listen to this book again!

DO NOT MISS THIS BOOK

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

The story just grabs you immediately and is engaging.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I don't really have a favorite character.

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

I don't really have an opinion on that. He is a good narrator though. I have always enjoyed his readings.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me laugh and cry. I listened to it all in one day.

Any additional comments?

One of my new favorite books.

The most compelling book I've listened to this yea

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I have not seen the movie and I bought this book on impulse. I really had no expectations for what I was about to listen to, but from the opening paragraphs I was hooked. I believe it is the way the story is crafted more than the story line itself that is so remarkable. Quick uses a 1st person voice and writes in simple sentences. However, simple certainly doesn't mean unsophisticated or childish. Indeed it was subtle and elegant. He paces the story and reveals the details Pat's history perfectly. Much of the book I felt as if I were on beam and the story could tumble out of control either into darkness or the other way, into the some kind of sappy feel-good non-sense. But Quick maintains that tension beautifully through out.

I will say that I was surprised by this book and found it to be the most compelling book I've read or listened to this year. Well done Matthew Quick!

insightful

like seeing the world through different eyes and very entertaining, funny, and a bit sad

Amazing.

I saw the rip and related to the character Pat a lot. I also was going through a divorce and was addicted to working out and have lost 50 pounds since and I'm in great shape. I learned like Pat I also have been wrestling things in my mind all by myself for all my life.

I haven't found my silver lining yet or my Tiffany but what I did find was a great story and a great message. I have decided to start looking for a therapist to talk about some issues. So I think that's very inspiring that a book can have such an impact and raise awareness on mental health at the same time.

Unlike Pat!!! I am a Cowboys fan from Texas!!! Lol anyways great book.

Amazing! Exceeded expectations.

This is my first review ever and I listen to many audio books, which means you should check it out.

Great Story and even better Narration

I received this book for free during Listener week. It is not what I typically listen to, but I was just about to finish another book and figured I would save my credits and give it a try. Boy, am I glad I did. This was a fantastic story about a man trying to piece his life back together. It was so hard to keep myself from googling the ending because I just wanted to know!! But I didn't, and it was well worth it. The story is heart breaking at some spots, infuriating at others, and very entertaining throughout. Ray Porter's narration makes it even better; not only is he able to differentiate voices well, but his cadence changes with Pat's thoughts which enhances the writing and makes me feel as if I am actually in his head. What a wonderful read, I am excited now to watch the movie and compare the two. One warning, though: If you don't like football, or particularly the Philadelphia Eagles, prepare to be inundated by them. I am not an Eagles fan, but I do like football quite a bit, so this did not bother me, but the repetitive nature of the book can make you cringe a little by the three hundredth time you hear Ray Porter say "E-A-G-L-E-S, EAGLES!"

Wonderful from start to finish

I was skeptical about the movie version, and I ended up loving it. I was equally skeptical about the actual book, and I ended up loving it. The movie made a number of (good and reasonable) changes, so listening to the original was an entirely differently experience, made all the better by the narrator. I myself had zero trouble with the football references that many reviewers disliked, particularly since the Eagles works so well as a metaphor within the book's world. A heartfelt but sharp-eyed look into mental illness, troubled families, and hope.