Wall Street Journal and New York Times bestselling author Robert Dugoni’s coming-of-age story is, according to Booklist, “a novel that, if it doesn’t cross entirely over into John Irving territory, certainly nestles in close to the border.”
Sam Hill always saw the world through different eyes. Born with red pupils, he was called “Devil Boy” or Sam “Hell” by his classmates; “God’s will” is what … his classmates; “God’s will” is what his mother called his ocular albinism. Her words were of little comfort, but Sam persevered, buoyed by his mother’s devout faith, his father’s practical wisdom, and his two other misfit friends.
Sam believed it was God who sent Ernie Cantwell, the only African American kid in his class, to be the friend he so desperately needed. And that it was God’s idea for Mickie Kennedy to storm into Our Lady of Mercy like a tornado, uprooting every rule Sam had been taught about boys and girls.
Forty years later, Sam, a small-town eye doctor, is no longer certain anything was by design—especially not the tragedy that caused him to turn his back on his friends, his hometown, and the life he’d always known. Running from the pain, eyes closed, served little purpose. Now, as he looks back on his life, Sam embarks on a journey that will take him halfway around the world. This time, his eyes are wide open—bringing into clear view what changed him, defined him, and made him so afraid, until he can finally see what truly matters.
Winner of Suspense Magazine’s Crimson Scribe Award.
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A bit different from his other books, but engrossing.
Highly recommended!
I can’t wait for Dugoni to be on Wine Women & Writing later this summer to talk about A Steep Price. What a surprise to pick up his The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell and discover a complete departure from his thriller/mystery tales. You’ll love Sam Hell and this epic dive into his often challenging but always heart warming life circumstances. Bravo!
Sam’s life isn’t really all that extraordinary, but you can’t help caring deeply about everything that happens to him, his sweet parents and his two best friends. The writing is marvelous. You’ll find yourself smiling while you read–and yes, you may shed a few tears along the way, too. A terrific book!
What an exceptional and extraordinary book!! I laughed, I cried and smiled so many times. It will be one of my favorite books of all time. Great listen on Audible and narrated by the author. Perfection!
–A novel I didn’t want to end–
I read a lot of thrillers, including Dugoni’s own, so I’m used to reading about cruel people, evil villains, and the brilliant, sometimes super-powered heroes who (usually) bring them down.
In The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell—a coming-of-age novel that spans decades—Dugoni gives us a different kind of character. This is a novel about ordinary, decent people. Fundamentally good people coming to terms with their quirks, their differences, their lives. But Dugoni’s skill as a writer brings us into these lives so effectively that we see the “ordinary” life for what it is: extraordinary, and even miraculous.
I loved the characters, and didn’t want to leave them behind when it ended.
This book will make you laugh, cry, and re-think the “small” moments in life.
PS: Don’t skip the acknowledgements.
What a magical book this was – and to think, I struggled in the beginning and almost put it down!
I love misfit-makes-good stories, and when you add in a little semi-contemporary history and family drama, it usually marks something I will enjoy. This was that, but so much more. The writing is lovely, evocative and tough to read at times because of the emotion and stress it evokes. Sam Hill’s life is anything but ordinary, from the day he first opens his red eyes to the final pages of the book – what makes it extraordinary is the masterful way that Dugoni manages to translate his life into a series of relatable events, even when they don’t resemble anything the reader has actually experienced…
The book reminded me of one of my favorite of last year’s books – The Summer that Melted Everything. If you haven’t read it, do – then read this one. You’ll notice similarities not only in the exceptionally great writing in both, but also in the tragedy that underpins both of the books’ unusual heroes. It’s a good similarity – not at all a feeling of copying or redundancy, but one of inspiration at the magic in the world and heartfelt sadness at the way that magic is all too often misunderstood, beaten down, and ignored…
There was more than a little religion in the story. In fact, I wouldn’t think it out of place to categorize it as Christian fiction, even though it wasn’t. As a lapsed Catholic myself, I sometimes have a tough time with that – religion is often used as a weapon in fiction, and that has never been something I’ve enjoyed reading. Here though, Dugoni uses faith – both the presence and the absence/questioning of it – as a way of illuminating Sam’s life, shining a light (quite literally, at times) on episodes and characters such that you find yourself viewing them from multiple angles in a way that deepens the experience of reading.
Dugoni’s writing style is spot-on perfect – he manages to shift his prose with the mood and events of the story, without it ever feeling choppy or forced. At times the story is sparse, delicate, brazen, and evocative – but always poignant and heartfelt. The transitions are smooth and feel utterly natural, shifting through the panoply of human emotion and life experience in the way that our own minds and hearts do. It was glorious to read as a result. I was thoroughly moved and wholeheartedly enjoyed this one, and Dugoni is definitely on my watch list now.
I won my review copy in the GoodReads drawing, and am exceedingly thankful that I did!
This was a book selected by my book club, and I’m so glad that the members directed me to it. It was interesting, uplifting, well paced, and inspiring. I’ll definitely be reading other books by this author.
I listened to the author read The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell and it’s my favorite book of 2020. Sam Hell was born with ocular albinism or red pupils/devil eyes. We learn about the struggles, bullying and discrimination Sam experienced throughout his childhood and how it shaped him into the man he became. I laughed and I cried several times while listening to the adventures of Sam and his friends, Ernie and Mickie.
I’ve been a fan of Dugoni’s thrillers for years. This is something very different and very special—a kindhearted, compelling tale of a boy’s coming-of-age and a man’s self-discovery, told with compassion and tenderness.
I was lucky enough to see this book in it’s very early stages. Robert Dugoni’s readers, more used to his legal and crime thrillers, will find another (delightful) side to the author here. Sam Hell is an extraordinary creation, right up there for me with Owen Meany. You’ll be happy you spent time with him.
Sam’s life and Robert Dugoni’s novel are extraordinary in the most relatable ways that touch the heart and warm the soul. Hearing this story read by the author made it feel even more personal. Highly recommend!
The best book I’ve read all year! I didn’t want it to end! It will be a while before I find another one that I liked this much. I would like Sam Hell to be my best friend!
thoroughly enjoyable page turner. Made me think!
I loved this book. I so enjoy finding a book that is so different from your typical type of read. This touched on so many aspects but bullying being central to the story and acceptance of self and forgiveness for others. I think most of us could relate in some way to Sam because unfortunately we all probably know someone or are that person that has gone through being misjudged and treated wrongly. I know I just went through a very long ordeal but came out stronger and more confident in knowing who I am. Walking through so much with Sam, you feel the character is truly a part of your life, and you rejoice in his victories. I definitely recommend the book. It was one I did not want to end, but I couldn’t quit reading.
I read this compelling, engaging book in one day. Born with ocular albinism, resulting in him having red eyes, young Sam Hill is bullied and tormented as a child but, with the support of his two friends and his extraordinary parents, he grows up to be a generous, evolved ophthalmologist who travels the world helping others. This would be a 5-star read for me except that I felt the ending was just a tad too tidy and picture-perfect. Also, the line from the bully’s cruelty to his monstrous parents (and Sam’s “big heart” and his loving parents) is drawn a little too sharply for subtlety. Still, I thoroughly enjoyed the read.
I was surprised that Dugoni is actually better known for his bestselling mystery novels. I read around that genre pretty widely; how the heck have I missed those? I’ll be looking for them next because he is a wonderful storyteller. I recommend.
I enjoyed this book a great deal. Characters were unique and complex and the
story was heart-warming.
This book by Robert Dugoni has soared to the top of my “favorite reads of 2020” list.
No review I could write would be adequate to explain why. Suffice it to say this book will stay with me for a long time.
It is a great book! Highly recommend.
A great well written story!!
Extraordinary writing very gifted writer. Read this book in two days once I picked it up it, I was completely living in the moment with the characters. Exactly what you want in a book, one that will remain on my shelf. I will remain a fan and can’t wait to read more from this new found author!