THE SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK

Pat Peoples believes in silver linings. However, Pat’s been in “the bad place”—a mental health facility—and although he’s home, he’s not really well yet. Ray Porter’s performance is top-notch. As Pat obsesses about his physical health, running miles each day and frequently doing 500 sit-ups on his Stomach-Master 6,000, Porter delivers Pat’s delight in the high-tech machine with unabashed reverence. As Pat dreams of reuniting with his estranged wife—ending their “apart time”—and hallucinates violent encounters with pianist Kenny G., Porter lets listeners feel Pat’s confusion and struggle to achieve mental health. In addition, Porter portrays Pat’s family, friends, depressed girlfriend, and therapist, as well as fanatic Eagles’ fans, with superb understatement. The movie is good. Porter’s narration makes the audiobook even better. S.J.H. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine [Published: MARCH 2013]