The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell cover art

The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell

A Novel

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The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell

By: Robert Dugoni
Narrated by: Robert Dugoni
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About this listen

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 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.

©2018 by LaMesa Fiction LLC. (P)2018 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.
Coming of Age Family Life Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Feel-Good Heartfelt Thought-Provoking Tear-jerking

Critic reviews

“This beautiful coming-of-age story is an emotional read. Its episodic nature really lets you grow with Sam, weaving in anecdotes that hit home the importance of family, friends, values and, for some, faith. The audiobook, narrated by the author, adds a personal touch, as his brother helped inspire Sam. This story really makes you think about life and people’s resilience. It had me crying both happy and sad tears.”Newsweek

“Dugoni has produced a novel that, if it doesn’t cross entirely over into John Irving territory, certainly nestles in close to the border…Told in two separate time lines (Sam as a boy, and Sam as a man) that eventually come together, and written in a gentle, introspective yet dramatic style that is very different from that of Dugoni’s crime fiction, this is an inspirational story of a man who spends a lifetime getting to know himself.”Booklist

“Sam Hell is inspiring and aglow with the promise of redemption.”Kirkus Reviews

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I was not sure where this story was going to lead me or if I was going to enjoy it at the beginning but I very quickly became entranced by the characters and their relationships and found myself caught up in the journey. So many emotions and life experiences that I cannot help but recommend this book to everyone. The story is wonderful and the narration is excellent. Great book.

What an absolute joy.

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4.25⭐️

Historical fiction set in the 1960’s and a coming of age. I had the audiobook read by the author. There is some non PC language used as was used in era, it’s made clear that it’s unacceptable. The narrator has an interesting voice.

Sam was born with red pupils which was enough to make him stand out getting called ‘Devil boy’ or ‘Sam Hell’ he has no friends until Ernie arrives at the school, he is also an outcast as he is the only African American kid in the school. I loved the friendship that evolved between them.

It’s a beautifully written slower paced character driven story, one to really open yourself up to, I think being written in the first person makes it easier to engage with Sam.
Sam has the most amazing caring supportive parents, his mom is k*ck a*s battling for him not to be discriminated against, no mean achievement for a woman in that era.

The story moves between time frames in Sam’s life. It’s an easy listen, with many dollops of humour, it will also have you on the edge of tears.
It really caught my interest, it’s lovely, easy listening, poignant and heartwarming.

The main characters in Sam’s life are all wonderful, their characters are beautifully crafted and have such depth. It’s not all sweetness and light, there are some characters to hate, and a lot of adversities to be navigated along the way.

If you enjoyed We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker I think you’ll enjoy this one a lot and vice versa.

An endearing heartwarming story

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Slow start, but bare with it, as the story pulls you in deep. Brilliant read!

An extraordinary read!

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Enthralling story that I could not stop listening to. Gentle and heartwarming.
Lovely well researched and interesting

Beautiful story

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I think it was a good idea and an easy read but in the end not that interesting. I really enjoyed the narration.

Good idea, easy read but not that interesting

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