by Kate Wilson
When I first saw the movie trailer for The Silver Linings
Playbook, I thought it looked like yet another mediocre romantic comedy, yet as
I started reading and researching more into this upcoming film, I discovered it
was actually garnering quite a lot of Oscar
buzz. Naturally, I got much more interested in this film that features such
talent as Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, and Robert DeNiro.
What excited me most about this yet-to-be-released movie is
that it's an adapted screenplay, based on the novel "The Silver Linings
Playbook" by Matthew Quick. Since I'm an avid reader, I decided to go
ahead and read "The Silver Linings Playbook." After finishing the
book in a day (it's a quick read), I can't express enough how much I've fallen
in love with this heartwarming, comedic story.
Quick introduces us to Pat Peoples, a former high school
history professor who has been in a mental institution for four years. One
afternoon, Pat's mother Janice decides to check Pat out of his mental health
facility and take him back home to start his life over again. Although Pat
seems quite normal on the surface, as readers venture deeper into the book,
they soon discover that Pat is battling a number of mental trials and
tribulations.
For one thing, Pat is devoted to winning back his absent
ex-wife, Nikki, who seems to have cut off Pat entirely. Secondly, Pat's
hopeless optimism and belief in happy endings and "silver linings"
seems to always be defeated by the endless difficulties and realities in life.
Lastly, Pat is trying to reconnect with all the people he has lost touch with
in his life, including his father, younger brother, best friend, mother, and
all the new people who have entered those character's lives. As you read along,
you'll find yourself rooting for Pat – hoping that his optimism and faith are
enough to overcome the endless obstacles he faces.
Quick has crafted a beautiful story that captures the
difficulties we all face in life, including heartbreak, divorce, emotional
abuse, depression, and numerous other important topics. Quick is known for
creating great young adult novels, and although this one isn't specifically
classified as a young adult read, I'd say it's definitely one every teenager
should check out. The book wonderfully captures how difficult it is to
comfortably come into one's own unique identity, especially if that identity
isn't well received by those around us.
No matter what age reader you are, make sure to read The
Silver Linings Playbook before it hits theaters on Nov. 21. You'll be grateful
you did!
Kate Wilson is a blogger for Collegecrunch.org. She specializes in
literature, distance education, and the latest in the blogging world. Please
share comments with Kate below!
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