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  • The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell

  • A Novel
  • By: Robert Dugoni
  • Narrated by: Robert Dugoni
  • Length: 11 hrs and 41 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (197 ratings)
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The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell cover art

The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell

By: Robert Dugoni
Narrated by: Robert Dugoni
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Summary

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.

©2018 by LaMesa Fiction LLC. (P)2018 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

"Author Robert Dugoni narrates Sam's life journey in an earnest and steadfast voice. Hearing the story through the author's own voice lends it an intimacy that enhances it wonderfully. Sam's life is filled with love, loss, tragedy, comedy, and everything in between. Sounding mature and dark at times, Dugoni artfully breathes life into every scene of a story about living life on the right terms regardless of its ups and downs." (AudioFile)

What listeners say about The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell

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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent story

Brilliant written. Feels real, the author narrates the book and is fantastic. Thoroughly recommend this audio book

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Loved it

Engaging story from start to finish, I shall definitely look out for other books from the same author

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Excellent

Well written and narrated. Couldn’t put it down. Touched on difficult subjects - bullies, alcoholism, teenage sexuality

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

great book about the boy with red eyes

I loved this book. the performance was great and I could really picture every character and understand every relationship they had. it was a great read.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A wonderful story of adversity

This was a fantastic story of little boy called Sam who had a rare eye condition and how society viewed him and mistreated him. With his mother’s incredible devotion and his father’s strength he grew up with so much love and security. Sam’s life was a bumpy one, but he had the best of friends that life could have given him to help him throughout it.
Sam’s mother was convinced her son was very special and was going to be someone incredible and indeed she was right.
This family unit was a solid bond of love and devotion right to the end and beyond.

I was incredibly sad when this story ended, as I wanted to hear further on in Sam’s life. I really wished this story took the reader to the end of Sam’s life. The author decided to end the story on a high note which was lovely.

I decided to listen to the audio version. I was a bit nervous when I found out the author was narrating this book, but he did an excellent job and the book was read with passion.

I really hope you will enjoy this heart warming book of love, hope and adversity to the difficulties faced in life.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Special story

What a delightful book. An easy read with a special story. The comments by author afterwards let it all make sense.

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  • JC
  • 25-04-23

An extraordinary story - wonderful.

What an inspiring, poignant story. Absolutely loved this with such great characters throughout. Completely different from all the other (also brilliant) books by Robert Dugoni but what a pleasant surprise Sam Hell truly is. The audio book felt all the more special knowing it was barrages by the author himself.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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wonderful story,

a truly brilliant piece of writing. believable characters....listened intently. thank you for the heartwarming story

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Loved it !!

Fabulous book.... and narrator... great story line and characters... can't fault it... my fave book of 2021... so far !!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Wow

One of the best novels I have ever read. Remarkable and touching story. I will not forget this book.

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