THN Catch Up With Silver Linings Playbook’s Author Matthew Quick

Straight off the back of Oscar success for Jennifer Lawrence, THN have caught up with best-selling novelist Matthew Quick, author of The Silver Linings Playbook to have a quick chat about his thoughts on the adaption, the success, what it’s all meant and – of course – what’s next.

Considering The Weinstein Brothers bought the rights to the book before it was published, did the involvement of Hollywood have an effect on the book itself?

“None whatsoever. My editor at FSG, Sarah Crichton, and I only did a very light edit, which was not informed at all by Hollywood. The most interesting change was the switch from “My Cherie Amour” to Kenny G’s “Songbird.” We had to switch Pat’s trigger song in the book because we were refused the rights to print Stevie Wonder’s lyrics. David O. Russell didn’t even know the change had been made, because he was working off the original manuscript.”

And were you impressed by the film adaptation?

“Yes, I was. I’ve heard people say it has a throwback Frank Capra feel, and I love those old Capra films. I like to leave the theater feeling hopeful. When my friends and family saw SLP at the Philadelphia film festival, they all said that’s Matthew Quick up there on the screen during every minute of the film. I think what they meant is that David managed to preserve the heart of my work, and for that I am very thankful. And I can honestly say I would have loved this film even if I had nothing to do with it. Absolutely.”

Did you have any aspirations for you who you wanted play Pat and Tiffany?

“I think Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence were perfect. Initially, Mark Wahlberg and Anne Hathaway were cast, and I was excited about those picks, especially after I saw Anne Hathaway in RACHEL GETTING MARRIED. Ryan Gosling or Ed Norton would have been interesting choices for Pat.”

With so many great books – including yours – receiving attention and the achievement of Life Of Pi, do you think cinema will ever give up on adaptations or are they forever entwined?

“Why would they ever give up such power? I love novels and film. And my SILVER LININGS experience has taught me that the combo is immensely beneficial for everyone. People are reading and watching and having discussions about mental health on a global level. It’s a win-win-win in many ways for everyone involved.”

Finally, what’s next for you, sir?

“I have a book out in the UK later this summer with Headline called FORGIVE ME, LEONARD PEACOCK. It’s about a young man who takes a gun to school on his eighteenth birthday intent on killing his former best friend and himself—but first he has to say goodbye to the few people he considers true friends. And then in early 2014, Picador UK will publish THE GOOD LUCK OF RIGHT NOW, which DreamWorks has optioned for film. More on that one next time. And I’ve just begun writing again, which I can’t talk about yet, but Picador UK has already purchased the untitled novel.”

Thanks for your time!

“Thanks for telling UK readers about my work!”

The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick out now, published by Picador. You can order it via this link. You also can also pre-order his YA book Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock right here.

Don’t forget, you can also follow @PicadorBooks and @MatthewQuick21 on Twitter.