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The Reason You're Alive: A Novel

de Matthew Quick

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18512146,044 (3.91)1
Fiction. Literature. Humor (Fiction.) HTML:

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 quixotic crusade to track down his nemesis from the war.

After sixty-eight-year-old David Granger crashes his BMW, medical tests reveal a brain tumor that he readily attributes to his wartime Agent Orange exposure. He wakes up from surgery repeating a name no one in his civilian life has ever heardâ??that of a Native American soldier whom he was once ordered to discipline. David decides to return something precious he long ago stole from the man he now calls Clayton Fire Bear. It may be the only way to find closure in a world increasingly at odds with the one he served to protect. It may also help him to finally recover from his wife's untimely demise.

As David confronts his past to salvage his present, a poignant portrait emerges: that of an opinionated and good-hearted American patriot fighting like hell to stay true to his red, white, and blue heart, even as the country he loves rapidly changes in ways he doesn't always like or understand. Hanging in the balance are Granger's distant art-dealing son, Hank; his adoring seven-year-old granddaughter, Ella; and his best friend, Sue, a Vietnamese American who respects David's fearless sincerity.

Through the controversial, wrenching, and wildly honest David Granger, Matthew Quick offers a no-nonsense but ultimately hopeful view of America's polarized psyche. By turns irascible and hilarious, insightful and inconvenient, David is a complex, wounded, honorable, and loving man. The Reason You're Alive examines how the secrets and debts we carry from our past define us; it also challenges us to look beyond our own prejudices and search for the good in us all.… (més)

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Es mostren 1-5 de 12 (següent | mostra-les totes)
A flag waving veteran attempts to restore integrity

Having loved, Silver Lining Play book, I looked forward to humor, fun and engagement, most of which were lacking. David Granger, the central character, is perplexing to say the least. Suffering from Vietnam PTSD and recent head surgery, his racist/cultural/sexist judgement of others is worsened by his lack of fatherly understanding and compassion. He manages to find fault with anyone that thinks differently, doesn't wave the flag or isn't white American. For someone whose views are progressive, its impossible to identify with him, nor would I. While trudging through the story, I kept asking myself whether Quick is poking fun at these types or embraces them; the jury is still out. The story lacks depth, characters are predictable and hopes Granger will redeem himself, fail, though he does give it a shot. Compared to Silver Lining or other unique stories, this one fails on all accounts. ( )
  Jonathan5 | Feb 20, 2023 |
The Reason You're Alive by Matthew Quick is a poignant and humorous novel about a politically incorrect Vietnam veteran's attempts to come to terms with the traumatic experiences that continue to haunt him.

David Granger is a sixty-eight year old vet who is recovering from surgery to remove a brain tumor. A right-wing conservative with a liberal son, David never hesitates to speak his mind nor does he make any attempt to hide his prejudices or temper his opinions. He is surprisingly likable and sympathetic despite his caustic comments and somewhat cantankerous demeanor. His disdain for his only son Hank and his intense dislike of his daughter-in-law in no way diminish his love and adoration of his seven-year old granddaughter Ella. David is a surprisingly multi-dimensional man with delightfully unexpected friendships and a willingness to lend a helping hand to those who are less fortunate and willing to work hard.

In the aftermath of his brain surgery, David becomes somewhat fixated on an incident that occurred while he was in country during the Vietnam War. Deeply troubled by his actions all these years later, David cannot forget what he did to fellow soldier, Clayton Fire Bear. Terrified of what might happen to him should he locate Clayton, David nonetheless allows a good friend to tack down his nemesis. Will he follow through with the plan to meet with Clayton? Will confronting his demons finally help David make peace with the horrors that continue to haunt him?

With a diverse cast of characters and a thought-provoking storyline, The Reason You're Alive by Matthew Quick is an absolutely compelling novel. David can be unapologetically offensive and abrasive yet, at the same time, he is incredibly kind, compassionate and patriotic. A laugh out loud funny and deeply affecting story of redemption that is ultimately quite uplifting.
( )
  kbranfield | Feb 3, 2020 |
Great character development; main character shows clear attitude and experiences along with difficult relationship with his son. He loves his granddaughter and has befriended a woman from Vietnam that he would like for a daughter in-law ( )
  rmv68 | Feb 19, 2019 |
This book really impressed me. Quick cleverly introduces us to his very non-PC character, warts and all. Then he lets us get to know him and allows us to be amazed as we fall in love with this multi-layered character. This is the man who you do not want to sit next to at a party, or anywhere! He stereotypes every race/nationality and religion. He is a Vietnam Vet who admits he has done terrible things during (and after) the war. He has disdain for his liberal, art dealer son etc. And yet Quick's brilliance is that we learn that there is so much more to this man, so much honor, bravery, integrity, self knowledge and more. He loves his granddaughter, is a fiercely loyal friend, and at his advanced age, still willing to learn. He is possibly the grandfather we wish we had.

This is perfect Book-Club material, a quick read, memorable, thought-provoking, funny and heart warming. Discuss! ( )
  Rdra1962 | Aug 1, 2018 |
I loved this book. It's Gran Torino and Archie Bunker meets Full Metal Jacket at times, which, to some, may be offensive. However, stick it out because there is much to learn from this book. Matthew Quick is the master of developing sympathetic broken characters and this novel is no exception. Highly recommended. ( )
  amylee39 | Jul 16, 2018 |
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You could see the light in her eyes back then. It was bright as goddamn June moonbeams shimmering off ocean waves still warm from the day's sun.
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We went to the shooting range and squeezed off a bunch of rounds, which is great for dealing with stress. They always hang up pictures of Muslim terrorists as targets, so it feels patriotic to kill those paper bastards too.
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Fiction. Literature. Humor (Fiction.) HTML:

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 quixotic crusade to track down his nemesis from the war.

After sixty-eight-year-old David Granger crashes his BMW, medical tests reveal a brain tumor that he readily attributes to his wartime Agent Orange exposure. He wakes up from surgery repeating a name no one in his civilian life has ever heardâ??that of a Native American soldier whom he was once ordered to discipline. David decides to return something precious he long ago stole from the man he now calls Clayton Fire Bear. It may be the only way to find closure in a world increasingly at odds with the one he served to protect. It may also help him to finally recover from his wife's untimely demise.

As David confronts his past to salvage his present, a poignant portrait emerges: that of an opinionated and good-hearted American patriot fighting like hell to stay true to his red, white, and blue heart, even as the country he loves rapidly changes in ways he doesn't always like or understand. Hanging in the balance are Granger's distant art-dealing son, Hank; his adoring seven-year-old granddaughter, Ella; and his best friend, Sue, a Vietnamese American who respects David's fearless sincerity.

Through the controversial, wrenching, and wildly honest David Granger, Matthew Quick offers a no-nonsense but ultimately hopeful view of America's polarized psyche. By turns irascible and hilarious, insightful and inconvenient, David is a complex, wounded, honorable, and loving man. The Reason You're Alive examines how the secrets and debts we carry from our past define us; it also challenges us to look beyond our own prejudices and search for the good in us all.

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