Silver Linings Playbook

Book Title: Silver Linings Playbook

Author: Matthew Quick

I read this book after watching the movie.  I enjoyed both but I realize whatever order I complete a book/movie combo in, I like the first one more (generally. If not, it will always be the book).  So unfortunately, I liked the movie better.  Maybe I was too influenced by the actors in the movie than the characters in the book. 

However, with that stated, I did enjoy the book.  It delves into the head of a person with a mental illness.  The book starts with Pat getting out of a mental institution, as demanded by the court system.  The story follows Pat’s “recovery” and return to “normal” life.  The story sheds some light on how someone with a mental illness thinks (or forgets to think). It goes through his recovery process and how it is hard and not at all linear.

Pat sends a lot of the story pining for his wife.  He doesn't have full memory of how their fall out went- he has blocked it out of his memory.  So he is trying to better himself for his wife (lose weight, take her interest, take others' feelings into account).  He meets a friend's wife's sister, Tiffany in the process. Tiffany has lost her cop husband and is mourning him. Together, they recover.  Most of it isn't necessarily the healthy processes but in the end, they both are able to move forward. 

The story develops around their friendship and I think there are good underlying messages: We all need someone to believe in us, we all need a friend, and family is an essential support system.