The Silver Linings Playbook: A Novel

I heard lots of good things about this book's movie, but, not having much money, opted to read the book first. I really liked it. I liked how it took a mentally ill man and went inside how he thinks and processes things. As someone living with severe mental illness, I could relate to some things, but mainly, since I struggle with very different issues, it was just interesting. However, although I admittedly haven't checked out if the author was involved in the filming of the movie, I wonder what he would have thought of it. To me, the author's constant use of the phrase "the bad place" without ever mentioning that it's a mental facility and "apart time" for his 'temporary' separation from his wife Nikki, suggests to me that he was trying to convey that not only is Pat mentally ill, but that he may also have a minor developmental disability. He talks a lot like a child, and doesn't seem bothered that his Mom manages most of his life. However, being severely ill myself at times, but never to the point that I was put in a facility for many years, I could imagine that being THAT ill, you may come out needing that type of support for a time. However, the language the author chooses for Pat to use, just doesn't make sense for someone without a developmental disability to me. However, if the author did not intend to imply that Pat also has a developmental disability, then I think he took the idea to convey mental illness without actually ever mentioning a bit too far. Those phrases are VERY child-like. He could have easily used "adult" words and just not given us Pat's diagnosis, etc to convey mental illness is a more general sense and I think it would have worked better.This book is heart-warming. It has great character development up to the last page of the book. There is plenty going on to keep the story going. However, I did have to take all the child like talk from Pat and, instead of get irritated by it, realize that the author is using it intentionally to indirectly tell me something about Pat. That helped me a lot. Instead of getting irritated, I just thought, "wow, this guy is really struggling". Luckily, the other characters talk like adults.My biggest problem with this book is that I could see it being EXTREMELY triggering for someone with an eating disorder and/or a compulsive exercising disorder. I get that the author wanted to drive home all of Pat's problems and how severe they are, but the fact that his therapist and his family and friends never mention or address the issue, even once, is concerning to me. Honestly, they should have been working with him on that in the bad place to start. In fact, I think it's very sick that his Mom buys him a workout watch for Christmas. But again, this story didn't write itself, and I can only assume the author was trying to make a point. I have friends with eating disorders and struggle with Bingeing myself. I assume the author was pointing out how ignorant our culture can be to eating disorders. They do usually go undetected for a while before someone starts to even suspect. Moreover, in this book, I think the point is that too often, we as a culture are so obsessed with "looking great", that we forget about getting there in a healthy manner. Encouraging Pat to exercise 12 hours a day, letting him wear plastic bags running, letting him spend his nights sweating in the attic with the fans off, etc is where I have a problem with this book. These are all very unusual and extreme behaviors that anyone in their right mind should have been at least trying to help him cut down and stop. Usually, people with these sorts of problems hide their behaviors. The only one he tries to hide is sleeping in the attic to sweat all night. But, after his parents find him there, nothing is done and he continues the behavior. As someone who doesn't and has not ever struggled with these sorts of problems, I can read about them and how the other characters encouraged them and not get triggered (although because I'm sensitive to the issue, I do get angry), but someone who is, or has struggled with these or similar issues could be in for some REALLY triggering pages in this book.Overall, this book confuses me as far as the author's intent. On one hand, he seems to be giving his audience an inside view on mental illness, but on the other, he doesn't seem to understand what happens, how others react, and the treatment for severe harmful behaviors associated with mental illness. He obviously doesn't have a mental illness himself (or if he does, took creative license to make the story work better) since Pat's Therapist is also his Psychiatrist.However, I LOVED reading it! All the issues I described did not get in my way of enjoying this book as a novel. In fact, I thought parts of it were hilarious - some because I have an inside view of mental illness, and some because they are just generally funny. Well, a lot of it was funny. It was also sad. It's a great read! Just don't expect a picture perfect view of what it's like to have a mental illness since the author skips over some very major parts of the treatments and peoples reactions.The movie, on the other hand is also great (although I think the book wins in my opinion). But it is absolutely NOTHING like the book! Major plot element in the book are out of place or dramatically changed for cinematic effect (for example, one thing that Pat doesn't know until the end of the book, he has memory of from the beginning of the movie!). I can see why they chose to change things since the book would really not make a good movie without most of these changes. But, about 5 minutes in, I had to just put my thoughts about how the book goes on hold and enjoy the movie for what it is, since everything is so totally rearranged or changed. In fact, this almost made the book and movie better, since afterwards I could laugh at how completely unrelated they were! My biggest problem with the movie was that Pat seemed to have no developmental issues in the movie, which was a huge shock to me!So in a nutshell: This book is well worth the read, it's got all the right elements and interest for a great read. Just bear in mind it's not perfect in representing mental illness, it's a novel after all. If you've already seen the movie, enjoy the book for it's own enjoyment, you will be surprised at how different it is! If you haven't watched the movie, I honestly think it's better to start with the book first, as it will help you understand some of the unspoken things in the movie. It's a very quick read. I think it took me 2 or 3 days, and no, I didn't spend all day reading! It's a short book. Enjoy!Note: I'd love to hear about other people's opinions on some of the issues I addressed here.

The Silver Linings Playbook [movie tie-in edition]: A NovelSilver Linings Playbook Hello Fellow Fathomers! Today in The Locker I combine a book review with a movie review for The Silver Linings Playbook. As soon as the movie released last fall in the theater, I just had to go see it. (and I see few movies in the theater)Matthew Quick's excellent, heartfelt novel provided the start of a screenplay with substance. From the opening scene to the end, David O. Russell captured my imagination and I found myself cheering that he did not try to "fix" anyone- instead, he revealed to the audience how life actually is for many people living with various degrees of mental illness. For 122 minutes, we see a glimpse into the highs and lows that sometimes cycle for people several times within a given day.I identified with the mother, Dolores, played so brilliantly by Jacki Weaver- trying to hold her family together while standing firm to her own principles. Walking the tightrope by offering her crabbie snacks and homemades on game day and encouraging positive behavior by setting boundaries, she epitomizes a mother's love for Pat working so hard to find his Silver Lining. With two young adult sons of my own, I understand the pain of seeing them suffer and also the anger when they make ridiculous or damaging choices.I also identified with the father, Pat Sr, played intensely by Robert DeNiro. Unwilling to accept his own quirks as possible mental illness, he instead calls the oddities his good luck charms and ways to insure success, especially when it comes to his beloved Philadelphia Eagles football team. He realizes toward the end of the movie how his OCD personality may have shaped some of Pat Jr's behavior, and that felt really good to see his "grown man" tears shed as a father trying to connect with his son in mutual understanding.I will admit that before this movie, I really didn't care much for Bradley Cooper. Although a stunning specimen of a man, his sharp blue eyes projected an arrogance to me further driven home by the characters he played. But, in this movie, it is clearly evident why he received the Oscar nomination for Best Actor (which he really should have won, in my own honest opinion). The character of Pat, Jr. fast talking, rapid cycling, intensely determined and looking for that Silver Lining-that ending of happiness in the movie of his life he watched unfold on a daily basis was dazzling. It makes me wonder if Bradley may, in fact, have an element of Bi-Polar disorder in his personality. If not, he surely must have grown up around someone who did, because he nailed the part.Jennifer Lawrence's turn as Tiffany awed me. From her expressions to her verbal intensity, she captured a woman teetering on the brink of a depressive edge, yet wanting desperately to be accepted and loved. So desperate, she was willing to lie to the man she loved at first sight in an attempt to pull him close to her. In the scene where she casually spews sports scores and facts before casually popping off the top of a Budweiser, she secured both feminine determination and fitting in as one of the guys to prove her point and left the room speechless. Bravo.Every actor involved in this film demonstrated charisma and delivered top notch performances, Chris Tucker, funny and fast-witted as Danny and Anupam Kher as Dr. Cliff Patel attempting to pull Pat into reality and encouraging him to develop a strategy- all while bonding as a fellow Eagles fan.David O. Russell's adaptation fit perfectly for the big screen at just the right length and development. I enjoyed his changes to the Stevie Wonder songs from both Songbird by Kenny G and Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler in the novel. The musical changes captured more of what the scene required, even if slightly old school tunes. The rest of the soundtrack is just as appropriate in establishing a background for what the characters are going through at any particular time.Mr. Russell tweaked a deep, emotional novel into something suitable for film. The intricacies in the novel would not have adapted straight to a movie and hold the same interest--it would have been too long and confusing. In addition, the chemistry between the actors involved- especially Bradley and Jennifer- required more fleshing out for the viewing audience. The relationship between Pat Sr. and Pat Jr. needed more substance because, well, it's Robert DeNiro, for Pete's sake...he deserves more from a role and Mr. Russell provided it.Which is why, in this rare instance, I believe the film and the novel marry perfectly. I saw the movie first, then read the novel and the pairing left me with a satisfied feeling.Matthew Quick's fast paced novel about a man suffering some type of mental illness or breakdown is different in several ways than the screenplay. Minor changes such as Pat's surname change from Peoples to Solitano, song differences, and the supporting character roles provide little impact between the screen and novel. However, major changes abound, such as Pat losing 4 years of his memory in the novel rather than 8 months in the movie, the fact that Pat's mental condition is never really defined in the novel, the way Tiffany works out the letters, and the gambling plot in the movie. There are several more; however, none detracted me from either medium to enjoy this story.Written in first person, Mr. Quick wrote Pat's verbiage in an almost frantic/determined tone, and I felt his rapid fire energy. Bradley Cooper handily captured Matthew's intention of this man, Pat, valiantly fighting for his life back, but in a better form, a life with a Silver Lining.So, Fellow Fathomers, if you've not enjoyed Silver Linings Playbook the movie or The Silver Linings Playbook, the novel, I encourage you to do both. The bittersweet tale left me with a fulfilling satisfaction that life doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful.

Lo compre porque soy muy fan de la película y también el libro es linda la historia

I ploughed this novel the first time I read it and every time since. I was even inspired to create a course called Sports as Identity. My students love this novel and couldn't put it down, which--believe me--is rare!

Loved how the book provides more insight to the movie

The way the author narrated the entire story keeps you engaged. It's also a peek into the depressed mind which still clings to hope.. believes in silver linings. The strong family bond gives a very positive vibe. Recommended read!

映画は小説のエッセンスをハリウッド仕立てにした感じで、話が映画とはところどころ異なります。また、主人公やティファニーの葛藤を理解するには小説の方が良いかと。（映画の役者も素晴らしかったけども！！）長さも中編としてはほどよい感じで、多読を始めて間もない人にもオススメ！パットの年齢と私と大きくは違わないので、感情移入してあっという間に読み終わってしまいました笑ヒューマンドラマ、ラブ、スポーツ（イーグルス！）、若干のミステリー要素があり、最後まで楽しめます！（コメント by 30代男性。英語の勉強に多読を敢行中。kindle @ iPhone で読了）