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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One of the best books I’ve read this year.
Amazing characters and inspirational messages in this well-written book about a young man growing up with an unusual feature, and the obstacles he endures and the support he receives. I recommend this book to everyone who likes to get lost in a story…I did cry a bit, but it was a “good cry.”
Sam Hell is a story that defies categorization. It’s coming-of-age in an earlier time, but it also underscores the life a “different” child can lead. We follow the most engaging, most understandable, most awesome characters on their paths as they meet, join, separate, cross, rejoin. Even when my heart hurt for young Sam and his friends, I loved every word of it. A+++++
I enjoyed that while we were reading about Sam growing up, we were also learning about Sam as an adult, so we knew he managed to get past his unhappy childhood. This book explores the problem of bullying and makes me glad that my kids are grown up! My husband was a teacher and saw how cruel kids can be to anyone who is “different”.
Great read
Might be one of the best books I have ever read. Beautiful story.
A beautiful book, beautifully written.
I loved this book and was sad to leave it. Best ending ever and would highly recommend this book to everyone. Bravo to the author. A nice insight into people who look different but are not.
Not a “can’t put it down” book but a great story with a message. Actually, several messages…and they’re all worthwhile.
Sam Hell was born with ocular albinism. He was a preemie and was in a doctors office contemplating a vasectomy because his girlfriend, Eva, an Alaskan Airlines pilot didn’t want kids. Sam was called Devil Boy by his bully, David Freemon. Ernie and Mickie become his best friends. Sam is picked as a lector for his all school mass because his
classmates want to see him fail.
This was my first book by Mr. Dugoni. i loved all the characters especially, Mickie, Sam, Ernie and many others. i loved this book from the first page. It will certainly not be my last.