Reason to Be
is a poetic and introspective novel following the life of Del Robert, a disenchanted man passive in his marriage and withdrawn from his life because of feeling unable to relate to those around him.
On a night out in Atlanta, a city Del describes as 'in contrast', he meets Carolyn, the mysterious wife of an ambitious professor, at an imitation speakeasy. Their encounter awakens in Del a longing for change and deeper meaning. As he navigates love, identity, and the outright difficulty of human connection, Del is forced to confront his passive nature and the ways it isolates him from those around him.
Reflective, at times philosophical, and deeply human, R. A. Hinkle's debut is a poignant exploration of relating, self-discovery, and the courage it takes to embrace the everyday present moment.