Pat, a volatile man in his early 30’s, has spent several
years in a mental health facility and finally comes home to live with his
parents in New Jersey, just outside of Philadelphia. Pat is in a difficult
place, but he is determined to get back in shape, both physically and mentally,
so that his wife Nikki will come back to him and end Apart Time. He sticks to a
daily fitness routine of working out and running that would leave a
professional athlete exhausted, he is meeting with a local therapist named
Cliff, and he embarks on a mission to read all of the literary works that Nikki
teaches to her high school English students in order to prove how devoted he is
to her.
Pat has a volatile temper, but he is also an eternal
optimist, believing whole-heartedly in happy endings and silver linings, even
when everything around him indicates otherwise. His whole life is focused on
getting Nikki back, but he has trouble adjusting to his old world. His mother
cries often, his father won’t speak to him, and all of his family and friends
refuse to talk to him about Nikki. He is glad to be reunited with his brother
and his lifelong best friend, Ronnie. Ronnie’s wife, Veronica, has a sister
named Tiffany who has plenty of problems herself. Tiffany’s a little odd, but
she and Pat begin to spend time together – often silently – and to slowly
become friends.
That’s the basic set-up, but there is so much depth to this
novel, both in its plot and its emotions. A deep, abiding love for the
Philadelphia Eagles football team is a bonding agent for Pat and his family and
friends; a win could even mean that Pat’s dad will speak to him briefly. Their
avid fandom (such an understatement!) provides a lot of the humor in the book.
Anyone not from this area will probably think the author used a lot of
hyperbole in those passages, but having moved here 25 years ago (and having
made the mistake of going to an Eagles game in our Saints shirts), I can tell
you firsthand that none of that is exaggerated!
Cliff the therapist is also a source of both humor and
warmth, as he shares Pat’s fervor for the Eagles and tries to gently guide him
back to real life. Pat’s – and Tiffany’s – journey back to a form of mental
health that is acceptable to the rest of the world is at the heart of this
novel, and it is heartwarming and also heartbreaking at times. And as an avid
reader, I absolutely loved Pat’s honest critiques of the works of literature he
reads!
The entire novel is told in Pat’s voice, and it is a unique
and unforgettable voice. You root for him as he fights his demons and struggles
to regain control over his life. Sometimes, he seems rather childlike, but I
found that endearing – I think it makes him seem very authentic, as he learns
to be true to himself. I absolutely love his focus on silver linings and this
oft-repeated line which I think I will adopt as my own life motto: “I am
practicing being kind instead of right.” He is one of the most memorable
characters I have ever met in a book.
This novel was like a rollercoaster ride for me – I laughed
out loud at many passages and teared up at others. I should note that not
everyone in the book group agreed – a few were disappointed in the novel – but
others, like me, were enchanted and delighted with it. Having already seen the
movie did not in any way ruin the book for me because the two share many
qualities but are different expressions of the same story. There was so much
depth to the novel that wasn’t possible to fit into the movie, though I still
highly recommend the movie – the dance scene alone is worth the price!
The Silver Linings Playbook is a moving, warm, and often hilarious story about mental illness and
life that is ultimately uplifting and positive. The characters felt like
friends to me, and I read the novel greedily, never wanting it to end. I am now
very eager to read all of Matthew Quick’s other novels…and to watch the movie
again!
I need to read the Kindle version I purchased of this sometime ago. My husband and I have seen the movie 4 times --we loved it, so glad to hear the book was awesome as well.
ReplyDeleteI am very impressed by the books I've read by Matthew Quick. He writes with integrity.
ReplyDeleteYour review is fantastic and makes me really want to read it. I have heard nothing but great reviews. Books that send me on an emotional roller coaster ride with humor are ones I typically love.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing with #smallvictoriessundaylinky last week. Sorry I’m late commenting/pinning but do hope you link up again this week !