Silver Linings Playbook

Matthew Quick

Summary:

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!

Plot:

This is a great story that keeps you interested throughout. It keeps you guessing, but never gets too complicated or hard to follow. It’s a simple story, but the author manages to turn it into something unforgettable and unique.

Characters:

The characters are the best part of this book, they are unique and interesting, yet still relatable. The main character, Pat, sees the world in a different and fascinating way. He’s an optimistic guy, who tries his best to be a good person, and except for some slight lapses succeeds. You definitely start rooting for him, and want him to be happy. The other big character, Tiffany, takes a little longer to be likable, since she’s pretty messed up, yet you start feeling sorry for her and rooting for her after you hear her story. Even though none of the characters are what you would call normal, they’re still relatable.

Who should read this:

(13+) Mainly for language. Tiffany especially curses in almost every sentence she speaks. Also the themes of this book are pretty mature, and, I think, would be lost on younger readers. If you like books that are deep and thought-provoking, yet easy to read I would definitely recommend this one.

My rating:

I really enjoyed this story, the author’s writing style is great, and I loved Pat’s perspective of the world. 4/5

Quote:

“Life is not a PG feel-good movie. Real life often ends badly. Literature tries to document this reality, while showing us it is still possible for us to endure nobly.”