The Silver Linings Playbook
- Narrated by:
- Length: 7 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Release Date:04/03/2013
- Publisher: Pan Macmillan Publishers Ltd
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Publisher's Summary
Pat Peoples knows that life doesn't always go according to plan, but he's determined to get his back on track. After a stint in a psychiatric hospital, Pat is staying with his parents and trying to live according to his new philosophy: get fit, be nice and always look for the silver lining.
Most importantly, Pat is determined to be reconciled with his wife Nikki. Pat's parents just want to protect him so he can get back on his feet, but when Pat befriends the mysterious Tiffany, the secrets they've been keeping from him threaten to come out.
©2008 Matthew Quick (P)2008 Blackstone Audio Inc
What the Critics Say
"Utterly original and a real word-of-mouth classic" (Easy Living)
"A delightful debut . . . a smart, touching, quirky read." (Scotland on Sunday)
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What Members Say
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"Great novel even after seeing the film"
I came to this having seen the film first. The film is excellent, and I am glad I saw it first because the book is *better*. The characters have a depth to them far surpassing that in the film, and the story deviates enough that most scenes do not have a film equivalent to spoil it. On the other hand, it was tough to get Jennifer Lawrence's face out of my mind while reading; but then, she made for an excellent Tiffany and there is no harm done.
I normally dislike reading the novel behind a film I loved; however, on this occasion the literature stands apart, and it is excellent.8 of 8 people found this review helpful -
"Beautifully disturbing"
What made the experience of listening to The Silver Linings Playbook the most enjoyable?I chose this book because I'd seen the film advertised. However, I hadn't seen a synopsis or looked into what the book was about. I was pleasantly surprised that it was incredibly complex and covered mental illness in such an honest and imposing way.
What did you like best about this story?I loved the characters, especially the portrayal of Pat and Pat Snr. The issue of mental illness and how it affects those around the sufferers was stark and unapologetic.
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?One part which stuck out for me was when Pat went to the beach and the situation turned sour when a seemingly innocent act is viewed through the eyes of a protective mum. The reactions of both Pat and Tiffany are moving.
8 of 8 people found this review helpful -
Amazon Customer Broughton, United Kingdom 08/07/2013 Member Since 2012- HELPFUL VOTES
- 11
- ratings
- REVIEWS
- 10
- 4
"Awesome!"
I really enjoyed listening to this audiobook, the narration was fantastic. I'd recommend this audiobook to a friend.
5 of 6 people found this review helpful -
"Sad and beautiful"
Great picture of mental health road to recovery...
Touching and vivid narrative.
Performing artist is a bit weird when doing all the different voices4 of 5 people found this review helpful -
"A great uplifting, humour filled read."
Loved it! Tad repetitive at times... but the audio performance and story line make up for it!
Feel good read which portrays mental health amicably.
"The Stomach Master 6000..."0 of 0 people found this review helpful -
"Compared with the movie"
I really love the "The Silver Lining Playbook" movie, so after seeing it for a second time, I decided to listen to the audiobook. In my opinion, the movie and the book are two different stories, each very fine in its way. I found the book much more nuanced and deep then the movie, which is a rather good feel story. The novel is a kind of sad, but gives hope too.
Though I prefer audiobooks read by women, I really enjoyed Ray Porters performance. "E-A-G-L-E-S Eagles!" ;)0 of 0 people found this review helpful -
"Enthralling"
Beautifully written and well executed by the narrator ... Would listen to it again and again - timeless.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful -
"great book to help understand depression "
I love the film,and I adore the book. this telling is just another way to explore the world of a person with a mental illness. I always give a copy to anyone who has a question about mental illness as the descriptions offered are so true.
1 of 2 people found this review helpful -
Kindling Micky 01/12/2015Kindling Micky 01/12/2015 Member Since 2017I'm an avid audiobook fan reading contemporary, romance, YA, PNR, fantasy and sci-fi. I review for Jo&IsaLoveBooks Blog.
- HELPFUL VOTES
- 13
- ratings
- REVIEWS
- 80
- 30
"Unique story with insight into mental illness"
I listened to this book on audio and the narrator really brought this story to life (told in the first person). This is not a romance in my opinion, although relationships past and present are key to the storyline. This was a fascinating introspection of a man with mental illness trying to make sense of life outside of an institution. Pat Peoples (great name) has no idea that years instead of months have past and it confuses him how much life has gone on in his absence. Football is a focus of the story but even though I'm a Brit who knows nothing of American Football and I'm also fairly uninterested in team sports, I was able to engage with Pat's passion for his team. Tiffany is introduced to Pat, as though two mentally unstable people will make one stable one. This was an interesting relationship within the book. Pat's mum was a trooper, his dad a revolting character and the other characters added such richness, especially Cliff the therapist. The book is significantly different to the movie and quite superior in my opinion. I am glad I took a chance on something different and would recommend it.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
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GitteCopenhagen, Denmark31/05/15
"The perfect read for a rainy day"
The Silver Linings Playbook was an adorable and enjoyable surprise. Pat Peoples has just been let out of a mental institution and has one goal in life: to get back together with his wife Nikki. The only problem is that he’s got a restraining order. And he doesn’t remember why. All he knows is that he has to change in order to get her back. So he moves back in with his parents, reads all the books she loves, gets in shape, sees a therapist, and is totally oblivious to being a basket case. And then he meets a woman who is just as fucked up as he is.
Pat has absolutely no grasp of reality. But he’s got faith. Faith that there’s a silver lining, that if he works hard enough, he’ll get his happy ending. He’s charmingly naïve and utterly insane. Mix in some medication and a jazz phobia and you have a delicious cocktail of a book to be devoured sip by sip.
I’ve heard the novel described as one of those books that people who don’t usually read will also enjoy. I believe that’s true. The novel is entertaining, amusing and touching without being too light or clichéd. It’s the perfect easy read for a rainy day with no silver linings in sight. I listened to the audio narrated by Ray Porter, who did an excellent job. He read with emotion without overdoing it. And he has a nice, pleasant voice.0 of 0 people found this review helpful -
Evelyn06/04/15
"Highly recommended!"
One of the most beautiful books about people, I felt so connected with Pat for being so real. I liked the movie but actually think they missed an opportunity to tell a new kind of love story.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful -
BarryHawthorn East, Australia13/07/13
"I'm a bloke and I loved this book"
Would you consider the audio edition of The Silver Linings Playbook to be better than the print version?Yes totally, after a hard day in the office, catching up with the story an characters is something to look forward to. In fact I would sit in my car arriving home, knowing my wife was waiting for me, just to listen to a situation that I needed to hear what happened next.
What was one of the most memorable moments of The Silver Linings Playbook?Pat and Tiffany. My most favourite book of all time is Steven Kings the Stand. The characters are the reason. They stayed with me long after finishing the book. When I recommend The Stand I recall the characters like old friends. Pat, Tiffany and Cliff are in the same boat. And of course the EAGLES. Ever moment was the best.
What does Ray Porter bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?The reader was good, like a movie with with an actor playing a major role and you couldn't imagine anyone else playing that part, I could not imagine anyone else reading it.
Who was the most memorable character of The Silver Linings Playbook and why?Pat without question, Tiffany second, Cliff next followed by Nicky
Any additional comments?You blokes out there this is not a romance book not a chick flick in audio, it is a great book that I would recommend and will recommend. Do yourself a favour give it a go. Watch the movie first if you will, however the movie, as they always are, is not as good as the book.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful -
Renata F. BarcelosMadison Lake, MN, United States20/05/13
"Pat Peoples is my all time favorite character!"
Oh my God, I never thought I could fall in love so much for a character and for a story. Pat Peoples is my all time favorite character in the whole world.
He's such a good, incredibly nice guy. He's trying so hard to be nice, (instead of right), and to do all the things he believes are going to lead him to his happy ending, always trying to see the silver linings...
Being mentally ill made him a lot better. One can wonder if all our concepts of being 'normal' and 'stable' are all that correct after reading The Silver Linings Playbook.
Pat Peoples, I've learned so much from you... I'm sure going to miss you, my friend!
The Audible edition is absolutely perfect. Ray Porter delivers it incredibly well, and even though I loved, absolutely loved the ending, I'm really sad it ended!0 of 0 people found this review helpful -
GenevieveAscot Vale, Australia07/05/13
"Worth it in the end"
What made the experience of listening to The Silver Linings Playbook the most enjoyable?Imaging the main character as Bradley Cooper was a delight through the whole story.
What did you like best about this story?The ending. It all comes together and the journey you've taken with the characters makes what seemed to be a slow story all make sense.
Any additional comments?I didn't love this book until the end. I hated it in the beginning. Somewhere in the middle I started to connect to the story and I'm glad I stuck with it. It was a great book to drive with - not so much a good one for the gym. This story will stay with me long after books I enjoyed so much more have been forgotten.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful -
Amazon CustomerStockholm, Sweden30/04/13
"Feel good indie listening"
This is a feel good story, but with an indie not-everything-is-perfect touch to it which gives it more depth. It is as much a story on healing and dealing with life as it is about loneliness, friendship and all kinds of love (family, friendship and romantic). Two people more or less dented by life meet and become quite original friends. It's a lot like what Dr Seuss says:
"We are all a little weird and
Life’s a little weird,
And when we find someone whose
Weirdness is compatible with ours,
We join up with them and fall in
Mutual weirdness and call it love."
A nice gallery of characters, all humanly flawed in their own personal way. I love the quirk. The first person perspective of a main character who's quite messed up himself could have become disastrous in the hands of the wrong narrator, but it is spot on.
You get a big chunk of story, without unneccessary and flat plot, for the feel good genre and such a quick listen. If you're in the mood for an indie feel good, go for it!0 of 0 people found this review helpful -
Gilmara Lima MendesPiscataway, New Jersey22/03/13
"A Different Silver Lining from the one you Expect"
At first I decided to read the book with the idea to see the movie afterwards. It turns out I still might see the movie, but just because I want to see Jennifer Lawrence's performance as Tiffany.
Before I started listening to this audiobook, I had read the review, which does not do justice to the book itself, so there are many things that could have been said in order to give readers a heads-up.
As a psychologist myself, I'd say this is a great book for psychology students since it is so full of dellusion, defense mechanisms and alternative realities (not as in a sci-fi movie, but as in a drama with so much psychological disfunction and denial of reality).
Ray Porter’s voice is nice to hear, but in some scenes I feel it a little flat, and he gives the female characters the same voice, but for the male characters he is flawless. He gives each of the males characters a voice and personality of his own.
Most characters of this book have so many unresolved issues that you can't help but wonder what "their silver linings" is going to be, which the author does not give away, so you can only but wonder.
This is a story of faith, self improvement and silver linings, but not the way you might think. Pat People's, out main character, is a guy with bipolar personality disordar and serious mental instability, who struggles to be a better person for his (believed) wife, Nikki. He does all this hard work to become a better person for her, to be someone who can be reunited with her and happy his own silver lining, while that is the wrong reason why one might change. However, he tries to see the positive side of every single thing, which can give the reader a beautiful life lesson.
I feel the story should be longer with real closure for the characters.0 of 0 people found this review helpful