Greetings Bookworms!
Today we’re going to talk more about my new found obsession with audio books, and a book turned Oscar-winning-movie (which OF COURSE I haven’t seen, because I am the WORST at being relevant when it comes to cinema.) You guessed right. It’s time for The Silver Linings Playbook
Audio books typically begin with a short musical interlude. I rarely take notes while I’m reading/listening to something, but when Kenny G was chosen as the introduction, I had a rather visceral reaction. My notes: “What is WITH the Kenny G at the beginning? There’d better be a contextual reason for this. Harumph.” A little while later… “Oh there’s a reason. Thank God. My reaction isn’t as intense as Pat’s, but sheesh. I can’t handle the Kenny G.”
Okay. So. Pat Peoples is our protagonist. He’s recently been sprung from a long term care facility for people with brain injuries and/or intense psychological problems. He comes home with his eye on a single goal- to reunite with his estranged wife Nikki. Only, things are weird. Whenever he brings up Nikki, people change the subject. His relationship with his father is strained to say the least, with the only subject they can broach being the Philadelphia Eagles. To add to the weird, he’s being relentlessly pursued by the enigmatic Tiffany (who has her own cartload of baggage) and his therapist seems to think spending time with this other woman is a good idea. Oh yeah. Kenny G is a demon specter who tortures Pat. You know. As he does.
I really enjoyed this book! I went into it with tempered expectations because the movie had gotten so much hype and everyone loved it so much. I found the book charming, tender, and real. I’ve got a soft spot for broken psyches and I couldn’t help but love Pat and Tiffany.
Talk to me Bookworms! Have you read The Silver Linings Playbook? Seen the movie? How do they compare?
*If you make a purchase through a link on this site, I will receive a small commission.*
Jancee Wright
I remember all the hype, but for some reason this just hasn’t been on my radar. Glad it is now though – this sounds exactly like the sort of book I’ll love!
Words For Worms
I look forward to hearing your thoughts 🙂
ThatAshGirl
I saw the movie. Didn’t love it. Like with American Hustle, I don’t see what the big deal is with Jennifer Lawrence’s acting. I like her when I see her in person because she’s goofy but she’s not a great actress. Or at least, she’s better in other roles. And I totally don’t get the obsession some people have with Bradley Cooper. Just don’t get it.
Words For Worms
I like Jennifer Lawrence as an Actress. Bradley Cooper is hit or miss for me.
ThatAshGirl
I like her, I just don’t think she’s worthy of 3 Oscar nominations.
Charleen
I did love that movie, but I still haven’t read the book. I think I’m afraid to because either I won’t like the book as much, or reading the book will make me not like the movie as much. It’s so hard to experience books and movies in the “wrong” order. At least it is for me.
Heather
I feel the same way! I loved the movie and watch it on dvd often but I’m scared the book will ruin the movie for me because ive heard it’s structured differently.
Words For Worms
Hmmmm now I’m even more interested to check out the movie!
Words For Worms
I’m the opposite. Usually if I see the movie first and enjoy it, the book is just an extra bonus of wonderful. If I read the book first, I go in with so many expectations that most of the time I never bother seeing the movie.
C.J.
I laughed when mentioned the Kenny G music. What is that about? I completely forgot about this book and movie. Your review makes me want to give the book a try.
Words For Worms
There is a reason for it, but Pat is traumatized by Kenny G and freaks out a bit when confronted with smooth jazz.
Megan M.
Saw the movie – LOVED IT. Watched it twice. I wanted to read the book but had the same fear as Charleen. It can be weird to read the book second. I do love me some JLaw! I usually don’t “get” Bradley Cooper either, but it depends on the hair. When he has his usual douche-bro hair, I don’t like him at all. In this movie, though? Short hair? YUM.
Words For Worms
LMAO “douche-bro”?! That is perhaps the greatest phrase I’ve heard in a good long while. Bradley Cooper’s hair in American Hustle ruined all his attractiveness for me. Oye.
Sarah
I work with the mentally ill. For the most part, I really liked the book, but there were certain parts I LOVED. I didn’t LOVE the whole book, but those certain parts. Like how Pat decided he liked his counselor because… I doni’t remember why, but I remember it was a silly reason.
But Pat was broken, and many people around him accepted him anyway, loved him anyway. I see that in my clients, that brokenness, and then am reminded of it in myself, and people love and accept me anyway.
The movie wasn’t that special, but there were some parts of the book that were precious.
Words For Worms
YES! I loved that their families were supportive of them (as far as they were able) and accept them as broken. We’re all broken, and it was great to see that reflected in a book.
April @ The Steadfast Reader
I really liked the book as well — though I HAD forgotten about the Kenny G. thing, it was one of the first things I reviewed on the blog. 🙂 I haven’t seen the movie either — maybe we should organize a watch-along on Twitter or something! 🙂
Words For Worms
That would be fun!
Joules (from Pocketful of Joules)
Ok. SOLD. I haven’t seen the movie (I love Jennifer Lawrence something fierce, so I don’t know WHY I haven’t seen it. Probably something to do with having 2 date nights in the last 6 months or so). I’ve been wanting a new book to download and this is IT. Thanks Katie!
Words For Worms
Wahooo! I live to serve, Joules :).
Melanie
The movie is really good. I love both the actors that perform in it. It’s a feel good movie but also made me tear up a few times here and there.
Words For Worms
Oooh if the book is any indication I think I’d need some tissues to watch the movie!
Amy @ Read a Latte
I loved the Silver Linings Playbook movie, but I haven’t read the book. I actually didn’t know it even was one until after I saw the movie!
Words For Worms
I think it’s the kind of thing you’d dig, Amy!
Sarah @ Sarah's Book Shelves
I haven’t seen the movie or read this one, but it’s intrigued me. I might have to give it a shot.
Words For Worms
Definitely a worthwhile read.
Jenny @ Reading the End
I haven’t read the book (yet), but I enjoyed the movie a lot. I think it’s showing up on Netflix later this month if you want to see it! It wasn’t a perfect movie by any means. I was predisposed to like it because of this one conversation Tiffany and Pat have about various medications they’re on for their various conditions — it makes me laugh every time I think of it!
Words For Worms
Hahaha! I don’t recall a conversation like that from the book, but now I want to watch the movie just to see that scene!
Jennine G.
I liked both the book and the movie. It was fun to see the “crazy” side of the characters come to life.
Words For Worms
JLaw is really good at crazy- we watched American Hustle recently and she nailed the neurotic in a big way.
AMB
I haven’t read the book or seen the movie! Just about everyone I know has seen the movie because Bradley Cooper is a hometown boy, and I think it was even filmed around Philly. I don’t really watch a lot of movies (except documentaries; I LOVE documentaries).
Words For Worms
As a native of Philly you might like this one. Of course, you’d REALLY love it if you love the Eagles, but if you’re anything like me, you don’t give a crap about football, so it might not matter.
Veronica
I listen to a lot of audiobooks, and a good reader can make the book really come alive. For example, I read “The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry” which I really enjoyed, and recently, I listened to the audiobook. The reader was so good! I do this often…read a book, then at some future time, listen to it. I wish that my library carried “Tell the Wolves I’m Home” on CD, as I don’t buy audiobooks, and TtWIH is one of my all-time favorite reads.
Words For Worms
Oooooh I ADORED Tell the Wolves I’m Home! I wonder if my library has it available in audio form, I’d love to revisit it!
Katie @ Doing Dewey
I think I might have a copy around somewhere and I know I’ve been thinking of picking it up for a while, but this is the first blogger review I’ve read. It sounds like it will be a lot of fun to read!