The Silver Linings Playbook
A Novel
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4.3 • 297 Ratings
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- $16.99
Publisher Description
A New York Times bestseller, The Silver Linings Playbook was adapted into the Oscar-winning movie starring Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence. It tells the riotous and poignant story of how one man regains his memory and comes to terms with the magnitude of his wife's betrayal.
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. When Pat goes to live with his parents, everything seems changed: 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 and clinically depressed Tiffany, she offers to act as a liaison between him and his wife, if only 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.
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
Is there a connection between mental illness and an obsession with sports? Matthew Quick’s irreverent and insightful novel draws a connection between the two. Thirtysomething Pat Peoples has just emerged from a heavily medicated stay at a facility he calls “the bad place.” Now back at home with his parents, Pat’s obsessed with getting fit, staying out of trouble, cheering for his beloved Philadelphia Eagles, and reuniting with his ex-wife, Nikki…even though he’s the only one who thinks she’s coming back. What’s fascinating about Quick’s book—which differs significantly from the Oscar-winning movie starring Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence—is seeing how others react to Pat’s childlike, rose-colored worldview. The Silver Linings Playbook explores the stigmas surrounding mental illness and gives us an unusual and unforgettable hero to root for.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Pat Peoples, the endearing narrator of this touching and funny debut, is down on his luck. The former high school history teacher has just been released from a mental institution and placed in the care of his mother. Not one to be discouraged, Pat believes he has only been on the inside for a few months rather than four years and plans on reconciling with his estranged wife. Refusing to accept that their "apart time" is actually a permanent separation, Pat spends his days and nights feverishly trying to become the man she had always desired. Our hapless hero makes a "friend" in Tiffany, the mentally unstable, widowed sister-in-law of his best friend, Ronnie. Each day as Pat heads out for his 10-mile run, Tiffany silently trails him, refusing to be shaken off by the object of her affection. The odd pair try to navigate a timid friendship, but as Pat is unable to discern friend from foe and reality from deranged optimism, every day proves to be a cringe-worthy adventure. Pat is as sweet as a puppy, and his offbeat story has all the markings of a crowd-pleaser.
Customer Reviews
Great book
Very interesting read. Could not put it down. Eye opening, funny and sad.
The Silver Linings Playbook: A Masterpiece
Wow. Just wow. Not only should everyone read this book because of it's raw style of writing, but because of the lessons we learn from it. This book is truly magnificent and will make you laugh, smile and even shed a couple tears. It's a beautiful work of art that teaches us that life isn't always like a hollywood movie. Definitely worth the read.
Amazing
Had no idea what it was about,I was so pleased. Best book I've read in awhile. I couldn't stop reading it. Loved it.