This review is part of Melody’s Summer Reading: Diversity Spotlight. Enjoy!
The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick
Narrated By: Ray Porter
Release Date: September 2, 2008
Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Genre: Adult Contemporary, Mental Illness
Running Time: Unabridged | 7 hours and 22 minutes
Source: Library (Audiobook), Own e-book
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Meet Pat. Pat has a theory: his life is a movie produced by God. And his God-given mission is to become physically fit and emotionally literate, whereupon God will ensure a happy ending for him — the return of his estranged wife Nikki. (It might not come as a surprise to learn that Pat has spent time in a mental health facility.) The problem is, Pat’s now home, and everything feels off. No one will talk to him about Nikki; his beloved Philadelphia Eagles keep losing; he’s being pursued by the deeply odd Tiffany; his new therapist seems to recommend adultery as a form of therapy. Plus, he’s being hunted by Kenny G!
In this enchanting novel, Matthew Quick takes us inside Pat’s mind, showing us the world from his distorted yet endearing perspective. As the award-winning novelist Justin Cronin put it: “Tender, soulful, hilarious, and true, The Silver Linings Playbook is a wonderful debut.”
Wow. This is my second read from Matthew Quick and I must say, this is my favorite read so far. This was absolutely beautiful and amazing and wow. Even though by the end of the book, there’s still so much we don’t know about our main character, Pat, what we are given is such a gift all on its own. Watching Pat briefly interact with those around him at the mental institution that he’s in at the beginning of the book and then seeing how his interactions are so similar, so strained but with such desire and confusion with those after he leaves was so captivating on every single page.
The relationship dynamics between Pat and his family as well as others in this circle mixed with Pat’s mental illness was so moving, I don’t even know where to begin. There are people rooting for him. There are others who have written him off. Others, like Pat’s father who have every intention of writing him off but find it in their hearts (slowly and in their own ways) to move through the pain and pick up the pieces to their broken relationships. There’s Tiffany, who Pat meets at the first dinner party he’s invited to, who we discover has more in common with Pat than anyone else. Seeing this relationship bloom in its own quirky way was so entertaining, so humorous, so emotionally heart churning. Oh, man. The things we do for the people we love. The things we don’t do. It’s a mix of logical and illogical and the chaos will make you smile in one moment and make you shake your head in dismay the next. All of the characters that we see in this novel have such distinct relationships with Pat and watching each of them move forward in their own fleshed out and peculiar ways was so gripping, so authentic, so very much appreciated.
The Silver Linings Playbook is sad and funny (I laughed aloud plenty) and hopeful. So hopeful. Pat’s memory fails him and he remains naive to so much but he remains hopeful through it all. It’s so difficult to put into words how much I love and appreciate this book, being inside the mind of Pat for the entire novel. I related to Pat just enough for me to feel a certain sharp pain in my gut at times and really have an affection for Pat that makes me want to walk up to him and hug him and look him in the eyes and say with my eyes all the words I cannot form right now.
The pacing of this book was perfect. Though I may have thought differently had I not connected to the sports element on some level. I’m not a sports person but I’ve lived in South Jersey long enough (a half hour from where this novel is based) to know and embraces all things Eagles, so I felt at home in this space. I’m absolutely positive that if it weren’t the Eagles or Giants or something I could relate to, I would have been very bored by and so over the sports element. Thankfully, all was well.
In a nutshell, Matthew Quick is a stellar writer, master storyteller, and one of the best creators of character today. The narrator for the audiobook, which I listened to while reading along with my own e-book, is absolutely fantastic. I highly encourage listening to the audiobook whether for your first read or repeat read. I know for sure this is a piece of work I can read over and over again. I think it’s safe to say that it’s one of my favorites. I do want to note that the audiobook is actually available for $3.49 for a limited time right now on Audible so I highly encourage you to get your copy today! What a wonderful read! Now, onto watching the film adaptation which is streaming on Netflix!
The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick is available today.