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andreahrome's review against another edition
Enjoyed the story, and especially the point of view from which it was told. I saw the movie first, so that was very difficult to get out of my head as I was reading- and there were definitely some major differences. The book was more realistic, and it was really insightful to see what was going on in Pat's head the whole time. I liked Robert DeNiro's character better than the father in the book, who was just kind of there, and very frustrating. I would recommend, but this isn't one I'd keep on my shelf and read again and again.
lauraecase's review against another edition
5.0
I read this because it came so highly rated by so many people and it did not disappoint. I was immediately sucked into the story and loved it.
erinnbatykefer's review against another edition
4.0
Read for the West Side Stories Book Club, May 2014
vixvax's review against another edition
3.0
It's rare that a movie is better than the book, but in this case, it's true. I thought the book was only OK, but I really liked the movie a lot. They shifted the focus in the movie. What was not the climax of the book became the major plot point of the movie and made it so much more enjoyable than it would have been, had it followed the book closely. I'm glad I read the book just to have the comparison.
alicetheowl's review against another edition
4.0
I picked this book up on the recommendation of a friend, and because I wanted to see the movie. I'm glad I read the book first; the movie spoils several major plot points as if they're throwaway, and changes a lot of the focus of the narrative.
The book starts with Pat Peoples leaving the mental hospital that's been his home for what he thinks is months. He only calls it "the bad place," and later hints within the narrative indicate it's for treating people with major head injuries, rather than just mental illness. Pat, himself, has a four-year blank in his memory, and can't remember what he did to get himself locked away.
Pat's father is quite distant, except where it relates to the Philadelphia Eagles, his favorite football team. Pat bonds with his father and older brother, Jake, over the games, while going to therapy. He meets a troubled young woman named Tiffany, who lost her husband and has been struggling with her own issues since. Tiffany offers to speak to Pat's wife, Nikki, on his behalf, but only if he'll help her win a dance competition.
The book is framed as Pat's journal, with some letters from Tiffany and Nikki. Pat's style is stilted, repetitive, and makes him sound like he lost some IQ points with his head injury. It's clear Matthew Quick can write in a more flowing style, because Tiffany and Nikki's letters are much more readable.
While I enjoyed the characterizations, especially of the laconic Tiffany and Pat's mother, I found them a bit rigidly stereotyped. There isn't a single woman in the narrative who likes football or cares about it, beyond the fact that the men they care about like it. There's only one male character indifferent to it, and Pat reminds us repeatedly that Danny is his black friend. Danny was a rapper, and wound up in the same place as Pat thanks to a turf battle that almost killed him.
The strongest parts in the book, I felt, were during Pat's therapy sessions with Dr. Cliff Patel, who asks Pat to call him Cliff. (He winds up as "Dr. Cliff" throughout most of the narrative.) He's insightful, and provides most of the reflection and information Pat needs.
The movie and the book end fairly similarly, though they get there in entirely different ways. Book-Pat is not nearly as smart as the version played by Bradley Cooper in the movie, and he needs quite a bit of prodding to come to the same conclusions.
I listened to this book on audio, narrated by Ray Porter. The narration made Pat sound a bit slow, though I think that was supported by the text. It was clear and easy to understand, and I didn't have to adjust the volume when characters whispered or shouted.
The book starts with Pat Peoples leaving the mental hospital that's been his home for what he thinks is months. He only calls it "the bad place," and later hints within the narrative indicate it's for treating people with major head injuries, rather than just mental illness. Pat, himself, has a four-year blank in his memory, and can't remember what he did to get himself locked away.
Pat's father is quite distant, except where it relates to the Philadelphia Eagles, his favorite football team. Pat bonds with his father and older brother, Jake, over the games, while going to therapy. He meets a troubled young woman named Tiffany, who lost her husband and has been struggling with her own issues since. Tiffany offers to speak to Pat's wife, Nikki, on his behalf, but only if he'll help her win a dance competition.
The book is framed as Pat's journal, with some letters from Tiffany and Nikki. Pat's style is stilted, repetitive, and makes him sound like he lost some IQ points with his head injury. It's clear Matthew Quick can write in a more flowing style, because Tiffany and Nikki's letters are much more readable.
While I enjoyed the characterizations, especially of the laconic Tiffany and Pat's mother, I found them a bit rigidly stereotyped. There isn't a single woman in the narrative who likes football or cares about it, beyond the fact that the men they care about like it. There's only one male character indifferent to it, and Pat reminds us repeatedly that Danny is his black friend. Danny was a rapper, and wound up in the same place as Pat thanks to a turf battle that almost killed him.
The strongest parts in the book, I felt, were during Pat's therapy sessions with Dr. Cliff Patel, who asks Pat to call him Cliff. (He winds up as "Dr. Cliff" throughout most of the narrative.) He's insightful, and provides most of the reflection and information Pat needs.
The movie and the book end fairly similarly, though they get there in entirely different ways. Book-Pat is not nearly as smart as the version played by Bradley Cooper in the movie, and he needs quite a bit of prodding to come to the same conclusions.
I listened to this book on audio, narrated by Ray Porter. The narration made Pat sound a bit slow, though I think that was supported by the text. It was clear and easy to understand, and I didn't have to adjust the volume when characters whispered or shouted.
chiararomano's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
caitlin21521's review against another edition
4.0
The differences between the book and movie are drastic. I liked both for different reasons. I disliked both for different reasons. I want to take the parts I loved from each and mash them together into what I think would be a perfect thing.
randeenapp's review against another edition
4.0
I love the movie and I love the book. Although the book is very different from the movie it still works as a good story.
kcehelnik's review against another edition
4.0
I would give this book more like 4.5 stars. I really enjoyed the character development even though I wanted to shake Pat sometimes. Also, Tiffany seemed to have a bigger role in the movie (which of course there were some other major differences between the two) compared to the book. Overall though I enjoyed it.