Synopses & Reviews
An enchanting first novel about love, madness, and Kenny G. The Silver Linings Playbook is the riotous and poignant story of how one man regains his memory and comes to terms with the magnitude of his wifes betrayal.
During the years he spends in a neural health facility, Pat Peoples formulates a theory about silver linings: he believes his life is a movie produced by God, his mission is to become physically fit and emotionally supportive, and his happy ending will be the return of his estranged wife, Nikki. When Pat goes to live with his parents, everything seems changed: no one will talk to him about Nikki; his old friends are saddled with families; the Philadelphia Eagles keep losing, making his father moody; and his new therapist seems to be recommending adultery as a form of therapy.
When Pat meets the tragically widowed and clinically depressed Tiffany, she offers to act as a liaison between him and his wife, if only he will give up watching football, agree to perform in this years Dance Away Depression competition, and promise not to tell anyone about their contract.” All the while, Pat keeps searching for his silver lining.
In this brilliantly written debut novel, Matthew Quick takes us inside Pats mind, deftly showing us the world from his distorted yet endearing perspective. The result is a touching and funny story that helps us look at both depression and love in a wonderfully refreshing way.
"Pat People is the protagonist and the narrator of The Silver Linings Playbook. I found him compelling and fascinating, and I found myself not only caring about him but rooting for him unashamedly, which, for an author is, I believe, what they mean by scoring a tour de force. Pat Peoples' author is Matthew Quick. This is his debut novel and, as the professionals like to say, it suggests promising 'promise.'"Bill Lyon, The Philadelphia Inquirer
"There are a slew of debuts out there that propelled their unknown authors to greatness: think Bright Lights Big City, Fight Club, Mysteries of Pittsburgh. The Silver Linings Playbook, the first effort from former Philadelphia teacher Matthew Quick, may do the same for this author. At times heartbreaking and funny, the book opens with the narrator, Pat People, leaving a mental health facility in Baltimore with little recollection of how he got there. Taking up residency in his parent's house, he lives in the basement, spending most of the day working out to get into top physical shape for what he hopes will be a reunion with his wife. Pat slowly starts to allow other activities to seep into his life, like following the Philadelphia Eagles and establishing upon a friendship with a fellow survivor of emotional breakdown, the widow down the street. Quick has a true talent for storytelling. Not since One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest has an author to tackle mental illness with as much humor and humanity. Though it tough to color the topic of life-changing emotional breakdowns with laughter, he pulls it off effortlessly. Though we're only nine months into 2008, it seems pretty obvious that Quick has turned in one of the year's best debut novels. (A)"Insite magazine
"Pat Peoples' mother has brought him home from the 'neural health facility' where he's been staying during 'apart time' from his wife, Nikki. Pat doesn't know why they are separated, believes their reunion is inevitable and thinks he's been gone a few months; in reality it's been four years. He tries to stay upbeat: 'I don't want to stay in the bad place, where no one believes in silver linings or love or happy endings . . . but I am also afraid the people from my old life will not be as enthusiastic as I am now trying to be.' His mother sets him up with a therapist, Dr. Patel. The first hint at a reason for apart time appears in the doctor's waiting room, when Pat hears Songbird by Kenny G, and the 'evil bright soprano saxophone' sends him into a rage, screaming, flipping over chairs, yelling at the receptionist. But Pat likes Dr. Patel, who turns out to be a major Philadelphia Eagles fanhe goes to tailgate parties in a bus labeled 'Asian Invasion' with a portrait of Brian Dawkins painted on the hood. Being an Eagles fan is important to Pat, whose father's moods revolve around the team. He also witnesses his mother's pain, as she waits to see what temper her husband will be in based on a game's outcome. His father's mania is not unusual in Philadelphia, where Eagles fandom is a blood sport, something Pat gets caught up in at a tailgate party, when he attacks a Giants fan while defending his brother Jake. Soon after his move back home, Pat is befriended in an odd and cautious way by Tiffany, who silently waits for Pat when he comes out to run (he works out 10 hours a day), and follows him at a distance. They begin a wary alliance, and she tells him she's scouting his work ethic, his endurance and his ability to persevere, but won't tell him why. Friendship, family, connection and discovery intertwine in a marvelous way in this appealing novel. Pat thinks that just when a movie's main character believes all is lost, something surprising happens, leading to a happy ending, so he continues to hope that he'll be reunited with Nikki, that God will not let him down. As Pat doggedly practices being kind rather than right, grace enters his life in unexpected ways ('Miracles happen on Christmas, Pat. Everybody knows that shit.'), and he realizes that life is not a movie. In refusing to be defeated by pessimism, Pat learns about true silver linings, not pretty happy endings."Marilyn Dahl, Shelf Awareness
Review
“Matthew Quick has created quite the heartbreaker of a novel in The Silver Linings Playbook.” —from the Kirkus First Fiction Issue
“Matthew Quick is a natural storyteller, and his Silver Linings Playbook—honest, wise, and compassionate—is a story that carries the reader along on a gust of optimism. Without shying away from the difficulties of domestic life, it charts a route past those challenges, and leaves us with a lingering sense of hope. More than a promising debut or an inspiring love story, this novel offers us the gift of healing.” —Roland Merullo, author of In Revere, In Those Days
“You dont have to be a Philadelphia Eagles fan (or even from Philadelphia) to appreciate talented newcomer Matthew Quicks page-turning paean to the power of hope over experience—the belief that this will all work out somehow, despite the long odds that life deals us. Tender, soulful, hilarious, and true, The Silver Linings Playbook is a wonderful debut.” —Justin Cronin, PEN/Hemingway Award-winning author of Mary and O'Neil and The Summer Guest
“The hero of Matthew Quicks first novel is Pat Peoples, amnesiac optimist and absolute original, whose dysfunctional journey takes him from big-league fandom to competitive dance and a host of other modern preoccupations. This is a funny, touching performance on the part of Mr. Quick—and the beginning, I hope, of a big career.” —Dave King, author of The Ha-Ha
“Entertaining and heartfelt and authentic, The Silver Linings Playbook magically binds together love, madness, Philadelphia Eagles football, faith, family and hard-earned hope into a story that is both profound and wonderfully beguiling. This is a splendid novel, written by a big-time talent.” —Martin Clark, author of The Many Aspects of Mobile Home Living and The Legal Limit
“I loved The Silver Linings Playbook. It is warm, funny, and moving.” —Shawn McBride, author of Green Grass Grace
Review
"Matthew Quick has created quite the heartbreaker of a novel in The Silver Linings Playbook." — from the Kirkus First Fiction Issue
"Matthew Quick is a natural storyteller, and his SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK--honest, wise, and compassionate--is a story that carries the reader along on a gust of optimism. Without shying away from the difficulties of domestic life, it charts a route past those challenges, and leaves us with a lingering sense of hope. More than a promising debut or an inspiring love story, this novel offers us the gift of healing." — Roland Merullo, author of In Revere, In Those Days
"You dont have to be a Philadelphia Eagles fan (or even from Philadelphia) to appreciate talented newcomer Matthew Quicks page-turning paean to the power of hope over experience—the belief that this will all work out somehow, despite the long odds that life deals us. Tender, soulful, hilarious, and true, THE SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK is a wonderful debut." —Justin Cronin, PEN/Hemingway Award-winning author of Mary and O'Neil and The Summer Guest
"The hero of Matthew Quick's first novel is Pat Peoples, amnesiac optimist and absolute original, whose dysfunctional journey takes him from big-league fandom to competitive dance and a host of other modern preoccupations. This is a funny, touching performance on the part of Mr. Quick—and the beginning, I hope, of a big career." —Dave King, author of The Ha-Ha
"Entertaining and heartfelt and authentic, The Silver Linings Playbook magically binds together love, madness, Philadelphia Eagles football, faith, family and hard-earned hope into a story that is both profound and wonderfully beguiling. This is a splendid novel, written by a big-time talent." —Martin Clark, author of The Many Aspects of Mobile Home Living and The Legal Limit
"I loved The Silver Linings Playbook. It is warm, funny, and moving." —Shawn McBride, author of Green Grass Grace
Synopsis
An enchanting first novel about love, madness, and Kenny G. The Silver Linings Playbook is the riotous and poignant story of how one man regains his memory and comes to terms with the magnitude of his wife’s betrayal.
During the years he spends in a neural health facility, Pat Peoples formulates a theory about silver linings: he believes his life is a movie produced by God, his mission is to become physically fit and emotionally supportive, and his happy ending will be the return of his estranged wife, Nikki. When Pat goes to live with his parents, everything seems changed: no one will talk to him about Nikki; his old friends are saddled with families; the Philadelphia Eagles keep losing, making his father moody; and his new therapist seems to be recommending adultery as a form of therapy.
When Pat meets the tragically widowed and clinically depressed Tiffany, she offers to act as a liaison between him and his wife, if only he will give up watching football, agree to perform in this year’s Dance Away Depression competition, and promise not to tell anyone about their “contract.” All the while, Pat keeps searching for his silver lining.
In this brilliantly written debut novel, Matthew Quick takes us inside Pat’s mind, deftly showing us the world from his distorted yet endearing perspective. The result is a touching and funny story that helps us look at both depression and love in a wonderfully refreshing way.
Synopsis
This brilliantly written debut novel is the riotous and poignant story of how one man regains his memory and comes to terms with the magnitude of his wife's betrayal.
Synopsis
A heartwarming debut novel, now a major movie by David O. Russell—nominated for eight Academy Awards (including Best Picture), four Golden Globes, and four Screen Actors Guild Awards!“Aawww shucks!” NPR's Nancy Pearl said. “I know thats hardly a usual way to begin a book review, but it was my immediate response to finishing Matthew Quicks heartwarming, humorous and soul-satisfying first novel . . . This book makes me smile.”
Meet Pat Peoples. 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 him a happy ending—the return of his estranged wife, Nikki. (It might not come as a surprise to learn that Pat has spent several years in a mental health facility.) The problem is, Pats now home, and everything feels off. No one will talk to him about Nikki; his beloved Philadelphia Eagles keep losing; hes being pursued by the deeply odd Tiffany; his new therapist seems to recommend adultery as a form of therapy. Plus, hes being haunted by Kenny G!
David O. Russell, the Oscar-nominated director of The Fighter, is helming his own adaptation of The Silver Linings Playbook, featuring Bradley Cooper (People magazines Sexiest Man Alive) in the role of Pat, alongside Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro, Julia Stiles, Chris Tucker, and Jacki Weaver. As the award-winning novelist Justin Cronin put it: “Tender, soulful, hilarious, and true, The Silver Linings Playbook is a wonderful debut.”
Synopsis
Why did NPRs popular librarian Nancy Pearl pick The Silver Linings Playbook as one of summers best reads for 2009?
"Aawww shucks!” Pearl said. “I know thats hardly a usual way to begin a book review, but it was my immediate response to finishing Matthew Quicks heartwarming, humorous and soul-satisfying first novel . . . This book makes me smile.”
Meet Pat Peoples. 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 him a happy ending—the return of his estranged wife, Nikki. (It might not come as a surprise to learn that Pat has spent several years in a mental health facility.)
The problem is, Pats now home, and everything feels off. No one will talk to him about Nikki; his beloved Philadelphia Eagles keep losing; hes being pursued by the deeply odd Tiffany; his new therapist seems to recommend adultery as a form of therapy. Plus, hes being haunted by Kenny G!
As the award-winning novelist Justin Cronin put it: “Tender, soulful, hilarious, and true, The Silver Linings Playbook is a wonderful debut.”
Synopsis
A heartwarming debut novel, now a major movie by David O. Russell“Aawww shucks!” NPR's Nancy Pearl said. “I know thats hardly a usual way to begin a book review, but it was my immediate response to finishing Matthew Quicks heartwarming, humorous and soul-satisfying first novel . . . This book makes me smile.”
Meet Pat Peoples. 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 him a happy ending—the return of his estranged wife, Nikki. (It might not come as a surprise to learn that Pat has spent several years in a mental health facility.) The problem is, Pats now home, and everything feels off. No one will talk to him about Nikki; his beloved Philadelphia Eagles keep losing; hes being pursued by the deeply odd Tiffany; his new therapist seems to recommend adultery as a form of therapy. Plus, hes being haunted by Kenny G!
David O. Russell, the Oscar-nominated director of The Fighter, is helming his own adaptation of The Silver Linings Playbook. Due in theaters this Thanksgiving, the movie features Bradley Cooper (People magazines Sexiest Man Alive) in the role of Pat, alongside Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro, Julia Stiles, Chris Tucker, and Jacki Weaver. As the award-winning novelist Justin Cronin put it: “Tender, soulful, hilarious, and true, The Silver Linings Playbook is a wonderful debut.”
About the Author
In the six months that followed his leaving teaching and the Philadelphia area, Matthew Quick floated down the Peruvian Amazon and formed ‘The Bardbarians (a two-man literary circle), backpacked around Southern Africa, hiked to the bottom of a snowy Grand Canyon, soul-searched, and finally began writing full-time.
Matthew earned his Creative Writing MFA through Goddard College. He has since returned to the Philadelphia area, where he lives with his wife and their greyhound.
Reading Group Guide
1. How does the book redefine happy endings? What makes Pat so determined to believe that every cloud has a silver lining?
2. As Pat heals from his brain injuries and trauma, in what ways is he sometimes more mentally stable than his family and friends? Is his optimism—combined with his belief that God is a filmmaker—a sign of his sanity? How was your reading affected by the fact that the “bad place” was a neural health facility rather than a psychiatric hospital?
3. Discuss the relationships Pat and Jake have with their father, Patrick Senior. What does their father teach them about being a man? Why is it so hard for him to show emotion?
4. How does Cliff use the Eagles playbook to teach Pat about the real world? How do the Eagles bring unity to Pats family? What makes Hank Baskett the ideal rookie to serve as Pats inspiration?
5. In “A Hive Full of Green Bees,” what does Pat discover about himself during the violent incident with the Giants fan (Steve)? How did you feel about Jake while he was taunting Steve?
6. What keeps Pats obsession with Nikki alive? What does Cliff ultimately help him understand about the nature of love and attraction?
7. Tiffany and Pats mother, Jeanie, have different approaches to his recovery. Tiffany believes that direct confrontation is best; Jeanie wants to protect Pat from anything that might upset him, including his brothers marriage to Caitlin. Which approach is better?
8. How did your impressions of Nikki and Tiffany shift throughout the novel?
9. Did Dance Away Depression have any healing effect on Pat? What did Tiffany want him to hear when she chose “Total Eclipse of the Heart” as their song?
10. What role does Danny play, along with Aunt Jasmine, in rescuing Pat emotionally on Christmas Day? When have you had a similar encounter with a friend who appeared at exactly the right moment?
11. How did you react when Pat finally remembers why Kenny G pushes him over the edge? What does his trauma have in common with Tiffanys?
12. Discuss Pats take on literature, particularly The Scarlet Letter, The Bell Jar, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and The Catcher in the Rye. How does his approach to literature change as his worldview changes? What would it be like to have Pat as a member of your book club?
13. In “An Acceptable Form of Coping,” Cliff and Pat disagree about whether sad books should be required reading for students. Pat says that such books teach kids to be pessimistic. Cliff says, “Life is hard, Pat, and children have to be told how hard life can be . . . so they will be sympathetic to others.” Whats your opinion? What books were you drawn to when you were younger?
14. Discuss the books closing scene. How has The Silver Linings Playbook inspired you in your life?