May’s Book

The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick. 

Picador, 2009.

Pat Peoples has a theory that his life is actually a movie produced by God, and that his God-given mission in life is to become emotionally literate, whereupon God will ensure a happy ending – which, for Pat, means the return of his estranged wife Nikki, from whom he’s currently having some ‘apart time.’ It might not come as any surprise to learn that Pat has spent several years in a mental health facility. When Pat leaves hospital and goes to live with his parents, however, everything seems changed: no one will talk to him about Nikki; his old friends now have families; his beloved football team keep losing; his new therapist seems to be recommending adultery as a form of therapy. And he’s being haunted by Kenny G. There is a silver lining, however, in the form of tragically widowed, physically fit and clinically depressed Tiffany, who offers to act as a go-between for Pat and his wife, if Pat will just agree to do something for her. 

Laura’s verdict: 

Usually when I watch a film before I read the book it’s based on, I then can’t get all the way through the book. I’m not sure what it is, whether it’s because I know roughly what’s going to happen or I have too much of a visualisation of how the characters are and what they look like. This book also worried me as there was so much Oscar hype surrounding the movie.

This book was an exception. 

I didn’t want to put it down. If I couldn’t find the time in the day to read properly, then I was sneaking one or two pages whenever I could. 

Pat was an intriguing character for me. I liked him and he frustrated me all at the same time. The book is told from his point of view. I found him almost childlike in his speech and thought process. He sees his world very matter of fact/black and white thinking that if he goes through steps then he can return to his old life. 

There is enough overall plot deviation between the film and the book but one doesn’t detract from the other. I would have maybe liked to have seen more of a character development for Tiffany (found out more about her background,) but I think it does deal with mental health and grief in a good way and doesn’t rush the process too much. 

What did you think of The Silver Linings Playbook? Did you like it? Hate it? 

by

Laura

I’m Laura. I started Novel Kicks in 2009. I wanted a place to post my writing as well as give other writers like me the opportunity to do the same. There is also a monthly book club, a writing room which features writing prompts, book reviews, competitions, author interviews and guest posts.

I grew up by the sea (my favourite place in the world) and I currently live in Hampshire. I am married to Chris, have a cat named Buddy and I would love to be a writer. I’m trying to write the novel I’ve talked so much about writing if only I could stop pressing delete. I’ve loved writing since creative writing classes in primary school. I have always wanted to see my teacher Miss Sayers again and thank her for the encouragement. When not trying to write the novel or writing snippets of stories on anything I can get my hands on, I love reading, dancing like a loon and singing to myself very badly. My current obsession is Once Upon a Time and I would be happy to live with magic in the enchanted forest surrounded by all those wonderful stories provided that world also included Harry Potter. I love reading chick lit. contemporary fiction and novels with mystery.