Silver Linings Playbook: From "An Infinite Amount of Days" to "Filled With Molten Lava" (Contains Spoilers)

[Jodi]

This is the thread to discuss Silver Linings Playbook. The chapters discussed here start at "An Infinite Amount of Days Until My Inevitable Reunion With Nikki" up to "Filled With Molten Lava".

[JoJo]

I already have a guess on what's happened with Nikki, will have to keep reading to find out if I'm right.

[Heidi]

I have actually seen the movie a couple of years ago and remembered liking it. However, I don't really remember much of it, which is good for reading the book.

I found this first part very easy to read and quick. The protagonist, Pat, to me seems very young in his way of thinking. He is constantly trying to be a good person, which is wonderful, but the way he repeats it reminds me of someone much younger than his 34. He seems likable, and definitely motivated to do what he can do to get his wife back. I am though curious what exactly happened that made him forget and end up in a 'bad place,' and why everyone is trying to hide that fact.

Overall, I enjoyed the start of this book and am excited to continue reading it!

[Berit]

I'm starting this right now, am I right that we do not need to cover spoilers?

[Berit]

I read up to this point, I'm really enjoying it. I really have no idea what happened, yet. I really like the therapist,I don't think I would ever wait outside a man's house and follow him on a run, day after day!☺️

[Jennifer]

Started the book and enjoying it so far. The book has a quick pace and the short chapters keep it moving along. I'm still trying to get a grasp how I feel about Pat. I can tell you that his reactions to Kenny G seem just as they should be; nothing crazy there.

His father's character is rubbing me the wrong way. While I understand the frustration he must be feeling with Pat, his complete lack of understanding of mental illness, and his emotional coldness to his son is unforgivable. Pat has been in "the bad place" four years, his anger/embarrassment/etc should have been dealt with by now so that he can be a support for his son.

I know Tiffany will be back and central to the book. Broken people always seem to find one another, at least in books.

[Berit]

I think you're right about Tiffany, they probably need one another to heal. Pat is very likable any childish sort of way, but I think because we don't know the backstory it's hard to come to a conclusion. His father I think probably, unfortunately has a very common reaction. I think men, not all men, want their sons to grow up to be strong both emotionally and physically..

[Megan BG]

Berit wrote: "I'm starting this right now, am I right that we do not need to cover spoilers?"

In your comments? No. People are warned before they open the thread that it will contain spoilers.

[Megan BG]

So far, the movie seems to be following the book. I don't remember if his amount of time was mentioned in the movie. One big difference is that Jennifer Lawrence plays Tiffany in the movie. She's definitely not a few years older than Bradley Cooper. :) (The edition of the book I bought is the movie cover - which I try not to do but Amazon didn't give me a choice - so it's hard not to make the connection) I don't remember Kenny G being in the movie? But it's entirely possible I dosed off a few times for a few minutes while watching it... (not that it's bad, I just always struggle to stay awake when watching movies at home).

I'm trying to figure out how I feel about Pat too. I've been lucky to have never been affected by mental illness, so reading about someone struggling with it is somewhat new (other than other movies and books, of which there have been a few, but not many). I am rooting for him. Every time he starts to get angry, I'm cheering for him to find another way to deal with it than blowing up and throwing things or even hurting his mother again.

Since at the moment I can't remember what happened with/to Nikki, I'm looking forward to reading about that.

[Berit]

I finished the book yesterday, I will discuss along with you guys. I had no idea those were the actors in the movie, is not who I pictured at all! Now I'm definitely going to have to see the movie :-)I cheered for Pad the whole way through!just as he cheered for the Eagles!

[Stephanie (Chinchillita)]

Megan wrote: "So far, the movie seems to be following the book. I don't remember if his amount of time was mentioned in the movie. One big difference is that Jennifer Lawrence plays Tiffany in the movie. She's d..."
As far as the movie goes, Pat spent 8 months in the mental hospital and the wedding song was My Cherie Amour by Stevie Wonder. I just finished the book yesterday and immediately went and watched the movie.

[Megan BG]

Stephanie wrote: "As far as the movie goes, Pat spent 8 months in the mental hospital and the wedding song was My Cherie Amour by Stevie Wonder. I just finished the book yesterday and immediately went and watched the movie."

That's right! I remember that song now. I couldn't remember which one it was, but I didn't think it was a Kenny G song.

[Berit]

So, in the movie he wasn't in the hospital for years? I wonder why they would use a different song? Might've been copyright issues.

[Cristal]

I'm also finished the first section, nice short chapters that keep the story moving, I'm sure things will become clearer about what has happened between Pat snd Nikki.

[Kim]

“I am practicing being kind over being right.”

[Berit]

Isn't that such a true statement, how much better the world would be if we all did that.

[Kim]

Berit wrote: "Isn't that such a true statement, how much better the world would be if we all did that."

For sure. And the quote occurs early in the book, so I thought it worth mentioning right away. I am going to try to keep that quote in mind as often as possible.

[Kara]

Kimberly wrote: "“I am practicing being kind over being right.”"

I loved this as well.

[Meg]

Since I saw the movie before reading the book, I am finding it difficult to picture the characters differently to how they were in the movie. It takes something away from uncovering the story. That's why I usually read the book first!
But so far I like the book. I don't love it. Pat is sweet but also quite frustrating.

[Karen]

So far I can't put this book down! I have not seen the movie yet, but plan to do so after reading this.
I have an inkling what happened to Nikki and am anxious to find out. Pat's father is really annoying me with his mentality towards his son. Everyone seems afraid of saying/doing the wrong thing, but at least they are trying.