Silver Linings Playbook

I am often disappointed when seeing a film that has been made from a book I particularly enjoyed reading. In the case of The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick, though, I saw the movie first and then read the book. I found both the book and the film to be quite good in their own rights.  The story is about Pat Peoples who has recently been released from the hospital where he has been treated for bipolar illness.  He has made up his mind to live his life differently finding good where he used to see only the negative.  He is certain that his new perspective will win back his wife, Nikki, who he has not seen since he entered the hospital.  There are many entertaining characters in his life.  There is his mother who supports him in every way, his distant father, his therapist who shares Eagles fandom with him, his brother Jake, his good friend Ronnie and Tiffany, Ronnie's sister-in-law.  Tiffany decides to set her sights on Pat much to his bewilderment.  The topic of mental illness is a serious one, yet there are many comic moments in the book.

The changes in the story when it is translated to film are intriguing.   Fortunately the humor remains.  I recommend both the film and the book.  I don't think it matters which you see or read first.  I would like to hear thoughts from those who have experienced both.  And do blog readers have any recommendations of their own of books which have successfully made the leap from page to film?