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.
more
I listened to this book on Audible a while back and never got around to reviewing it, but I still think about it occasionally and wanted to pay homage. At the time it was totally out of my wheelhouse, but all I knew was that I loved it! I was so invested in that little boy with the red eyes who grew up to be such a wonderful man. Sam could ruminate a subject to death, but it never bored me.
Sam had a lot of hardships to overcome, but he also had a lot going for him as well. From the very beginning he had a mother like no other. Everyone should be so lucky to have a mother that believed in her child the way Sam’s did. She was determined that he would receive the best education and opportunities no matter what people said about his “Devil’s Eyes”. Her Catholic faith influenced her to believe that Sam was extraordinary, and she never let him forget it. His father was also a calm, positive influence in his life and there are such sweet scenes between them, especially later.
Sam’s life was also enriched by two best friends made early in life. Sam has no friends at his Catholic school when the first and only African American student arrives. Ernie Cantwell immediately becomes Sam’s best friend and from the very beginning they set in motion an event that earns Sam an enemy in bully, David Freemon, for life. A second friend, Mickie Kennedy, is a tough-as-nails little girl who becomes another good friend to count on.
The book spends a lot of time on Sam’s experiences and struggles at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic school and the many events there that will shape his life. The story covers about forty years of his life and none of it was boring. It has a strong cast of characters to love and hate, difficult situations that make Sam learn and grow, but there are many humorous moments as well. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to read about someone “extraordinary”. I think the audio version is particularly special. It was narrated by the author, Robert Dugoni, and he did an excellent job. I gave it five stars.
A strong parable about being different.
I loved this book! I couldnt put it down and read it in one day.One minute I was chuckling, the next crying The writing was solid and the plot extraordinary. I loved the multidimensional real life characters.
Giving this one of my rare 5 stars!
Amazing story from an amazing author.
One of the best books I’ve read. You don’t want to put it down!
This quarantine has not sped up my reading. It has done just the opposite – it has really slowed it down. With my kids doing schooling at home and my husband working from home,I am finding less time to read – not more. It is never really quiet in the house, so I just can’t seem to get motivated to read. We have turned to movies and puzzles and games instead, and that is okay. Once we get out of this, and life goes a bit back to normal, I can return to reading more.
This is the story of Sam Hill. He was born with occular albinism which makes his eyes red. His whole life he is teased about his eyes – called “Sam Hell” or “Son of the Devil”. Until one day, an African American boy joins his school and he and Sam become instant friends.
40 years later, Sam the eye doctor is reflecting on his life and his path and changes he made that made him the man he is now. These days he hides his red eyes behind brown contacts and it takes another little boy to realize that hiding the most special part about him doesn’t change who he is.
This was a good book. It was recommended to me by my sister in law, and I am so glad I read it. It is well written and well told. There is a large religious aspect to it, so if that isn’t your cup of tea, you should be aware of that from the start. I am not very religious, and it didn’t take away for me the quality of the story. I knew it was there and that was that.
I encourage you to read the story about a little boy who had a hard time because he looked different and who had a mother who fought to the ends of the earth to make sure he was treated fairly. You won’t be disappointed.
Loved, loved, loved this book from Beginning to end!!
Absolutely loved this story. A boy born with red eyes due to an unusual condition faces discrimination, bullying and challenges–and he grapples with his mom’s faith that he was meant to live an extraordinary life. Full of friendships, family, and faith, this is truly a lovely story I devoured. If you audio–it’s read by the author!
Best book I’ve read in a long time. Fascinating and heart breaking at times. Sam’s eye condition coupled with growing up in the sixties and seventies and attending a catholic school taught by nuns was something else. I felt for this kid as he grew up. Highly recommend
Beautiful story. Engaging characters, well told. Robert Dugoni is a great story teller. My only issue is towards the end of the book when Sam is reading the news article, the headline says there was a “minor” involved, then a few sentences later they give the age as 20. That is not a minor, it’s not a huge thing, just inaccurate.
Not what I am used to from author. Funny, at times brutal, wonderful read.
5 stars simply does not say enough about this book
I did not want the book to end , I will miss Sam Hell .
Robert Dugoni has written a story that will make you laugh, make you cry and most of all you will cheer on Sam Hill .
Sam has extraordinary parents who lead him through life with advice and support. He was born with ocular albinism but this does not define Sam.
This is a book that I could read again, I am sure I would pick up things I missed. I seldom will read a book again.
Take time to read the authors Acknowledgments at the end of the book.
Thanks to Robert Dugoni for a wonderful story .
If you have not read any of Robert Dugoni’s books you are missing out.
I absolutely loved this book! So glad I listened to it. The author did such a great job reading the book. The book allows all the feels. I laughed. I cried. I got mad……I will be thinking about this book for a long time!
One of the best books I’ve ever read. The story is amazing and emotional
Loved it!
Loved this book, couldn’t put it down.
I have bought 8 copies for friends…says enough!
One of the best books that I have ever read!
This book makes you think because the main character does. Sam Hell wonders why God makes people suffer and why he gives some people unfair burdens to carry.
Sam was born with a condition that makes his eyes red. He’s made to feel like a freak. This story is how he conquers his condition and goes on to live an extraordinary life.
Winner of Suspense Magazine’s Crimson Scribe Award.
“Life is either a collision of random events, like billiard balls during a break careening off and into one another, or if you are so inclined to believe, our predetermined fate—what my mother took such great comfort in calling God’s will. I desperately wanted to believe my mother was right.”
A coming of age novel, this is a story about Sam Hill who is born with a strange condition—red eyes. In childhood, claimed as “devil eyes.”
This is an excellent read. Poignant, distressing, nostalgic, affecting. You may forget who Sam Hill is, but you won’t easily forget the lessons he learned.
Review can be found in Le Coeur de l’Artiste: http://www.djadamson.com/le-coeur-de-lartiste
This book was great. It captivated me right from the beginning. I like how the author told about how he got the inspiration for the book, too!