Review: The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick

Title: The Silver Linings Playbook
Author: Matthew Quick
Published: April 21, 2010
Publisher: Farra, Staus and Giroux
Format: E-book; 291 pgs
Source: Purchased
ISBN: 0374532281
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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.

Ok, so Pat is a messed up guy. He has been in a neural facility "the bad place" and lost part of his memory, although he doesn't realize it at first. His mother finally gets him out with the help of many lawyers saying that he will be under her care and safe. So, Pat goes home to live in his parents basement. All he does is work out and dream of the day he will be re-united with his wife Nikki after "apart time" is over.

Then comes Tiffany. She is (excuse my language) bat-shit crazy. She convinces Pat she will be his go between with Nikki to help them reunite. But, only if he agrees to participate in Dance Away Depression and gives up Eagles football. 

The Silver Linings Playbook was depressing. I got the "message" at the end about always looking for the silver lining, but jeez if I see the name Nikki one more time I am going to throw up. I didn't engage with either character and I am really bummed about it. I got The Silver Linings Playbook (movie) but wanted to wait until I read the book to watch it. Now, I don't even want to watch it.

The writing was fine. I am sure other people love this book. I did not. But, it could have been because it was such depressing subject matter and I just wasn't in the mood for it. It has a 4 star average on Goodreads, so I must be missing something...

2 stars to The Silver Linings Playbook.

Sorry to be such a downer,

but I'm just being honest!