The Reason You're Alive

The New York Times-bestselling author of The Silver Linings Playbook offers a timely novel featuring his most fascinating character yet, a Vietnam vet embarking on a crusade to track down his nemesis from the war.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 11 January 2018
Publisher: Pan Macmillan

When sixty-eight-year-old Vietnam War veteran David Granger wakes up from emergency surgery, he finds himself repeating a name: Clayton Fire Bear, a soldier from whom he stole something long ago. And now, David knows he must make amends. It might be the only way to find happiness in a world increasingly at odds with the one he served to protect, and it might also help him recover from the loss of the wife he grieves for every day.

Motivated by his adoring young granddaughter, Ella, David sets out to confront his past in order to salvage his present. Grumpy and argumentative, he may be, but ultimately, The Reason You're Alive challenges us to look beyond our own prejudices and search for the good in others.

David's journey takes him back to the battlefield of Vietnam, where he must face the consequences of his actions. He meets Clayton, who is now a respected elder in his community, and begins to understand the impact of his actions on the lives of others. Through their conversations, David learns that forgiveness is not just about forgiving others, but also about forgiving himself. He realizes that he has been carrying the weight of his past mistakes for too long and that it is time to let go and move forward.

As David works to make amends, he also begins to rebuild his relationship with Ella. He realizes that his past mistakes have been a source of pain and distance between them, and he is determined to make things right. He spends time with her, teaching her about his experiences in the war and sharing his newfound understanding of forgiveness and redemption.

Through his journey, David learns that true happiness comes from within. He realizes that he does not need to seek happiness in the world around him, but rather in the relationships he has with the people he loves. He also learns that forgiveness is not just about repairing relationships, but about healing oneself. By confronting his past and forgiving himself, David is able to find peace and happiness in his present life.

In conclusion, The Reason You're Alive is a powerful and moving story that challenges us to look beyond our own prejudices and search for the good in others. It is a story of redemption, forgiveness, and healing, and it reminds us that true happiness comes from within.

Weight: 174g
Dimension: 196 x 129 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781509840786