The Silver Linings Playbook is a book written by Matthew Quick, which has been adapted to a movie written and directed by David O' Russell. This is a story of a mentally ill man who, after spending time in a psychiatric institution, has to learn how to live a normal life without his former wife who has left him. Pat is a man with bipolar disorder who used to work as a school teacher but due to his stay at a mental institution, he now has to move back to his parent's house. His wife Nikki has left him, yet he cannot help believing she will come back to him and that they are meant to be together. Continuing his life in the real world proves quite difficult for Pat as he is incredibly disoriented and thought he only spent months in a psychiatric institution when in fact he stayed there for years. Pat refuses to give up on Nikki and decides to become a better version of himself. He cannot remember why they separated but still believes they are meant to be together. Having formulated a theory about silver linings where his life is a movie made by God, his mission in life is to become physically fit and that he is meant to be with Nikki - he decides to become the better version of himself and attempts to do so by running every day.
Click here to see the rest of this review...
One night, Pat meets a girl - Tiffany - a clinically depressed young woman who has moved back home after the death of her husband. They become better acquainted and even become friends. Pat then helps Tiffany practice for an upcoming dance competition, and agrees to perform with her. Pat continues to think about his ex-wife and Tiffany tells him she is going to help, but in fact forges numerous letters which she then give to Pat and telling him Nikki wrote them. Tiffany has fallen in love with Pat and does not want him and his ex-wife to get back together. Pat hates Tiffany for forging the letters and lying to him and he runs away. Pat gets mugged and injured in an neighbourhood he has never been in. Fortunately for Pat, he runs into a friend from the institution he had stayed at and who brings him to a hospital nearby where his family come find him to bring him home.
TIffany apologizes to Pat and even though she sends him several letters, he refuses to see her - until one day where he agrees to meet with her and they are friends again. Another day, Pat decides to watch the wedding video of his own wedding to Nikki and that is when his memories come flooding back and he remembers that he caught Nikki and a teacher from his old school sleeping together. This is when he realizes they are never going to get back together. Pat learns that Nikki has remarried and is now happy and so Pat resolves to accept this new situation. The book ends with Tiffany and Pat who are lying on a soccer field and Tiffany tells him that she needs him, and he replies that he thinks he needs her too.
Best part of story, including ending:
I really likes this book. This is the story of a mentally man who struggles to find his place in life but who remains committed to letting love guide him.
Best scene in story:
The very last scene on the soccer field where Pat and Tiffany are lying. They found they needed to be together for love's sake, without any consideration to their illnesses.
Opinion about the main character:
I like this character. He is confused and incredibly disoriented yet he doesn't give up on life and on people.
