Book and Movie Review of The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick
The Silver Linings Playbook was difficult to read at times. Not because it was sad or made me cry, but because it was so real. Matthew Quick perfectly captured the mania, obsession, delusions, and confusion that are encompassed by bipolar disorder. He also perfectly captures what it's like to be released from a hospital. There is a lot of confusion and the tendency for over stimulation. A whole lot more happens in the outside world than happens inside the hospital. He also captures the relief that some relationships are the same and untouched by stigma, as well as the confusion that results from a changed or lost relationship. Loved ones trying to make sure you take care of yourself can be frustrating and even enraging, but the lack of attention from a loved one can be worse.
Pat has returned from what he thinks was a few months in "the bad place" with a temporary separation from his wife, Nikki. He is obsessed with becoming the man he wasn't, the man she needs. He works out for 10 hours a day and works on retraining his reactions to what people say because he wants to be kind not right. He compulsively reads the novels on her syllabus for the high school English class she teaches to make himself better for her.
His brother and his brother's friends welcome him into their circle and they spend a lot of time tailgating at the Philadelphia Eagle's football games. The Eagles helps him reconnect with his father, who distanced himself from the entire family after Pat's return. Pat begins to feel as though he is getting his life back, except for the absent Nikki.
His best friend introduces him to a very strange girl named Tiffany, who is suffering from serious issues of her own. They become friends, spending a lot of time together. Pat begins to feel like the only person that understands him is Tiffany. But he is still married and wants to end the "apart time."
There is a lot more going on than Pat remembers, and his relationship with Tiffany is confusing. Pat's life is more different than he even realizes.
The clarity of the depiction of what it's like to deal with mental illness in general, specifically bipolar disorder, makes me give this book a hearty:
A movie was made starring Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence, for which she won an Oscar. The movie was very different from the book, but still captures the emotional upset Pat goes through on his journey through the mess that his life became. His relationship with Tiffany is well-depicted, but his thoughts about Nikki are not as clear.
Normally a movie that different from the book would make me very disappointed, but the subject matter makes that different for me. If I had not read the book, this movie would have gotten a higher rating. I give it a:
This book is a must-read for those who want to understand mental illness, or have it themselves. It's amazing. The movie is a must-watch for the same reasons. Bradley Cooper is perfect as Pat, depicting what it's like on a daily basis to live with the illness.
Pat has returned from what he thinks was a few months in "the bad place" with a temporary separation from his wife, Nikki. He is obsessed with becoming the man he wasn't, the man she needs. He works out for 10 hours a day and works on retraining his reactions to what people say because he wants to be kind not right. He compulsively reads the novels on her syllabus for the high school English class she teaches to make himself better for her.
His brother and his brother's friends welcome him into their circle and they spend a lot of time tailgating at the Philadelphia Eagle's football games. The Eagles helps him reconnect with his father, who distanced himself from the entire family after Pat's return. Pat begins to feel as though he is getting his life back, except for the absent Nikki.
His best friend introduces him to a very strange girl named Tiffany, who is suffering from serious issues of her own. They become friends, spending a lot of time together. Pat begins to feel like the only person that understands him is Tiffany. But he is still married and wants to end the "apart time."
There is a lot more going on than Pat remembers, and his relationship with Tiffany is confusing. Pat's life is more different than he even realizes.
The clarity of the depiction of what it's like to deal with mental illness in general, specifically bipolar disorder, makes me give this book a hearty:
A movie was made starring Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence, for which she won an Oscar. The movie was very different from the book, but still captures the emotional upset Pat goes through on his journey through the mess that his life became. His relationship with Tiffany is well-depicted, but his thoughts about Nikki are not as clear.
This book is a must-read for those who want to understand mental illness, or have it themselves. It's amazing. The movie is a must-watch for the same reasons. Bradley Cooper is perfect as Pat, depicting what it's like on a daily basis to live with the illness.
Photo Credit Katherine Elizabeth
Stars Image Credit: lovethenerddesigns
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