I absolutely loved this book! Richly told and extremely poignant. This powerful story will warm your heart Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Excellent read written in memoir style of a shy, self-conscious young boy (Sam Hell) with red eyes who is made fun of, ostracized and bullied as he grows up from a Catholic grade school to adulthood. As someone who attended parochial grade schools run by nuns, I could identify with many of the situations reported during that portion of the book. I don't think the final few pages lived up to the high standards of the rest of the book but have not reduced my rating as a result because on the whole I found this book creative, involving, worthwhile and enjoyable.

We realize it is in those quiet moments that each of us has the ability to make our life extraordinary.’

This is a story about love. It is about how a life well lived, with love, is an extraordinary thing in and of itself. It is a story of a boy becoming a man, about self regard, about friendship. The closing chapters brought a tear of two to my eye. I found this an inspiring read, with many lessons that I could learn from myself. Recommended.

This book really made me cry. It was so real and so honest and I enjoyed reading it quite a lot. I really could relate to Sam when he spoke about being bullied in school and in a roundabout way, it made me realize how important it is to overcome your fears. At some points it did seem like the only purpose of the book was to try and make the reader cry, but overall it was a beautiful experience.

I loved this extraordinary book...so different from much of what I read. As someone bullied in school, I really identified with Sam Hill...the nicknames, the one friend. And to see how he struggled then grew then helped was a full circle delight. I'm going to go back and look for this author's thrillers.

Wow, what a read! I laughed, I cried, I was surprised and aghast. It’s an emotional rollercoaster going though the Extraordinary life of Sam Hell. I will not soon forget this book. Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for the advanced copy. I will 100% be going out to purchase this in hardcover to have a coveted space on my shelf with the hopes of getting it signed one day. This novel was just perfect. Almost 500 pages and I whipped through it in three days. Everyone should read this novel ❤️

I have read several of Robert Dugoni's Crosswhite series. This is not even close to being a mystery. The story follows the challenges, courage, and tenderness of Sam Hill who was born with ocular albinism. Sam has been bullied and tormented his whole life from the mean-spirited Sister Beatrice and David Freemon. The latter reappearing in adulthood still physically abusing Sam. Fortunately, Sam is surrounded by other outcasts in the form of Mickie and Ernie. These three remain friends throughout their lives and protect each other. Another central character is Sam's mother Maddy whose Catholicism is her foundation. The "God's will" she would say is her way to accept the challenges that Sam faces. The character development is wonderful. The cadence of the book is perfect in the way that one follows the journey from insecurity to acceptance. I have already recommended this book. Thank you NetGalley for a copy.

Sam Hell is such an endearing character, he is a boy that is born with red eyes and therefore basically freaks out most everyone in his small town, including folks he goes to Catholic school with. The story is about how he makes it through life with these eyes and the narrative flashes back from present day to elementary school through graduation. He meets Ernie, the only African American boy and the two form a fast solid friendship that spans their entire lives. He then meets Mickie, a tomboy that clearly likes him but refuses to admit it in the beginning. I absolutely adored this book, it covers all things in the span of a life, from bullying to solid family homes to not so solid family homes. Sam learns to deal with having his parents as a rock throughout his life to dealing with them as they get older and cannot play that role anymore, and therefore has to step up and be an adult. I thoroughly enjoyed Sam’s journey and was so very glad he took us along for the ride,

"We realize it is in those quiet moments that each of us has the ability to make our life extraordinary."

Sam was born with ocular albinism which resulted in him having red pupils. While many of his peers were freaked out by this and called him "devil boy", his Mother declared it's "God's will" and fought for Sam to be able to attend Catholic school. Sam suffered from the ignorance of others (including a nun at the school) and constant bullying. He then found friendship with Ernie, the only African-American in his class and Mickie, a girl who proved to be tougher than any of the boys in their class. The three of then teach each other acceptance, friendship, loyalty, and what it means to be supportive of someone.

This book is told through alternating timelines. We see Sam as an adult and as a child. We learn about his life, his loves, his loses, his family, his friends, his dreams, his faith and his chosen career path. My favorite character in this book is his Mother with her unwavering devotion and belief that Sam is destined to lead and extraordinary life. I love how she has quiet strength and is not afraid to advocate for her son.

I love that this book focused on accepting the differences which make us unique, faith, family and the true meaning of friendship.

Another solid book by Dugoni! This is a well written account of one man's life. I thought the ending was a little much. I think Dugoni is accustomed to writing his Tracy Crosswhite series and leaving readers waiting for the next book, so in this book, perhaps he tried a little too hard to tie everything up.

*Do read the acknowledgements section!!! That is a nice plus, we learn about Dugoni's family and the story/inspiration behind this book.

4.5 stars rounded up to 5 stars
Robert Dugoni is fast becoming one of my favourite authors.   I have long been a fan of his Tracy Crosswhite legal thriller series but The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell was the first of his standalone titles I've tried.    Within moments of starting I was completely hooked, devouring pages as fast as possible until suddenly I realised I was nearing the end and wanted to slow down so I could stay in the presence of Sam, his family and close friends.  Spanning almost four decades from the time he was six the story is told in the first person by Sam and moves seemlessly  between the past and present.     

Sam Hill was born with occular albinism which meant he had red eyes.  As you can imagine this lead to stares and whispers at best and he was subject to more than his fair share of bullying.    Though Sam's condition brought difficulties he was blessed with a couple of wonderful friends and a fabulously supportive family.     His dad was a gentle and respectful man and his mum was the epitome of a mama bear.   She nurtured him, considered him extraordinary and was fiercely defensive in the face of any discrimination against her boy.    They were a devout Catholic family and his mum regularly encouraged Sam to "have faith" and would rationalise every thing as "it's God's will".      Though it was the story of Sams life and all that entailed, to a large extent it was an exploration of how and why Sam questioned, lost and eventually rediscovered his faith.   

Dugoni moved me through a range of emotions from laughter to sadness, anger to fear,  and though it was not a romance it most definitely was a story of love.     A couple of Dugoni's characters were loathsome, most were loveable, but all were crafted magnificently and I absolutely savoured the experience.   

My congratulations to the author and sincere thanks to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity of reading this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

When Samuel Hill was born, the first thing his dad asked was “what in the Sam Hell?” and from that came his name. He asked this because Sam’s eyes were red, ocular albinism, a rare occurrence, gave him pink irises that set him apart for most of his life, his extraordinary life. In The Extraordinary Life of Sam HellH, Samuel’s father feared that his red eyes him apart, an object of bullying and abuse, but his mother was certain it was because he would be extraordinary because his eyes were a gift from God and everything happens for a reason.

I guess they were both right. He is isolated and bullied in school which is made bearable by his two good friends, Eddie and Mickie. Eddie is an athletic prodigy which wins approval and acceptance to a degree with his classmates, though his blackness makes his welcome mat pretty thin. This gives him compassion for Sam and brings the two of them together. Mickie is a wild child, a free-thinker. They grow up together, these three, and remain friends to the present day. Mickie is even Sam’s partner ophthalmologist.

This is a story of growing up in a Catholic school with a devout and adoring mother, a loving and pragmatic father, and two great friends which are balanced against societal shunning and alienation. Much of the story is about his mother’s faith and his loss of it and whether he can find faith again.



People say really stupid things when they want to comfort other people. Things like “No one’s burden is heavier than they can bear,” a trite idea contradicted by suicide statistics around the globe. The one that irritates me the most is “everything happens for a reason” which is the theme of The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell. Sam’s mother is certain of it from Day One and most of the book is about bringing Sam around to that way of thinking.

So, considering that Dugoni’s point is an idea I find repugnant and cruel, the three stars rating shows what a gifted writer he is. He caught me in the story and I cried in the right moments. I cared about the characters and found the story occasionally amusing, sometimes moving, but also almost always predictable.

The characters are likable though cliched, the hard-working father who shows his love with practical solutions, the strong, religious mother constantly working her rosary. The mean and bullying sister who runs the Catholic school, the kind, compassionate younger sister who teaches, the black athlete who goes pro, the misfit, defiant young girl who acts out. They are not original, but I liked them anyway. Even the mostly absent girlfriend of his adulthood from which he is looking back is a bit of a stereotype, a flight attendant who sleeps around. It all works when I was reading, but thinking about it after I was done reading the book, I was disappointed in how much he wrote to type.

This is a book about a spiritual journey, from faith to doubt to faith again. It’s often funny, often sad, and moves quickly. I am sure people who like inspirational fiction will likely find this a great alternative to the treacle that comprises most of the genre.

I received a copy of The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell from the publisher through NetGalley.

The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell at Amazon. Lake Union Publishing is an Amazon imprint.
Robert Dugoni author site

4 richly drawn stars to The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

What an engaging and poignant story! Sam Hell was born with ocular albinism, a condition that causes the blood vessels to show through the irises of the eye, giving a pink or red appearance. Sam’s family is deeply spiritual, and his mother believes his condition is simply God’s will.

Sam endures bullying and outright discrimination due to his physical appearance. His childhood is tough, and he questions his faith. Sam’s mother is his best advocate and champion. The love between all members of this family was palpable and inextinguishable.

The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell is about his journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance, but if you’ve ever felt different, left out, or lonely, Sam’s story could be your story, too.

This review also now appears on my shiny new book blog! www.jennifertarheelreader.com

Thank you to Robert Dugoni, Lake Union, and Netgalley, for the ARC. The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell is now available!

Samuel Hill starts the story while he is half naked, sitting in a doctor’s office waiting to have a vasectomy. OK that got my attention. Effectively written in the first person, the narrative moves from decade to decade and experience to experience.

Samuel Hill is born with ocular albinism, a genetic defect affecting the pigmentation of the eyes. He looks different, very different. His greatest supporters are two other children who are outcasts for their own reasons. Ernie Cantrell and Michaela Kennedy will remain in the story throughout as will David Freemon and Sister Beatrice, who are his nemeses. Madeline Hill, Sam’s mother is a devout Catholic, Sam’s greatest advocate and the true definition of a righteous soul, his father by trade is a pharmacist and the best example of what a father should be.

This is a simple story about a child with an unusual appearance who is treated badly by so many but is never totally defeated. It is also a story about faith and the ability to soldier on. I kept trying to decide what this book was ultimately trying to say. The AHA moment arrived as I reached the end and the Author’s comments. The writing is seamless and near to perfection.

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an ARC

Living and working in the Bay Area, I could picture certain scenes in the book like it was a movie! Reliving the Loma Prieta Quake was surreal but through it all Sam Hill and his family were truly extraordinary! Sam's lifelong quest for self-acceptance and struggle with faith/believing would resonate with many readers.

Loved this. Was a 5 star book for me all the way until near the end where it just fell apart a little and took things too far for me.

Sam Hill is born with red eyes, which will always make him different. He has a condition called ocular albinism and his red eyes get him the nickname “devil boy” or Sam Hell”. Born in the 60s when different is always considered with suspicion, he finds himself an outsider in school growing up. He befriends another “outsider” Ernie, the only black kid in school and eventually a girl called Mickie, who is also a bit of an outsider, coming from a troubled home, a bit rough and ready and a girl who always speaks her mind. A girl more comfortable in the company of boys than girls.
The book follows the three through their lives and their longstanding friendships together, jumping back and forward between present day and the past.
Sams life is heavily imfluenced by his parents and especially his mother who is a devout catholic and prays and says the rosary every day. She tells Sam that it is gods will that he was born with red eyes and that god has a plan for him and he will have an extraordinary life.

The book is heavily influenced by religion and the mothers strong beliefs and the trials and tribulations that Sam faces are in large metaphors of the catholic teaching and the battles of good versus evil. I’m in no way religious but that didn’t stop me enjoying this book immensely and the religious prominence in the book no way put me off and is more a underlying reference point for the story and not the central theme per say, although sadly that goes south towards the end.
The book is fantastically readable. It’s certainly a departure from anything I’ve read by Dugoni before but it’s just as well written and well told. I absolutely loved it for the most part. Sams life and his escapades had me hooked from the start and it was one of those books that I found hard to put down. I was totally drawn into his world and the characters he encountered. So many well written and memorable ones. The past and present chapters are judged beautifully and the story elevoves fantastically. The more I read the more I thought it was one of my favourite reads in a very long time. A certain and easy 5 star review.
Unfortunately the final few chapters let the book down for me as we go full on religious with some utterly bizarre goings on. The book goes from having a religious undertone that can be enjoyable for all with a beautifully told story. A story that can lean on religious beliefs and use them subtley to tell the story and the belief in good, to going totally off piste and blugening you over the head with religious rhetoric, near miracle happenings etc. It just felt so out of character for the book and the story, despite the religious tone throughout. It felt extremely clumsy and not quite like the same book at all and took the shine off what had been a fantastic read.

Would I recommend this book? Absolutely. Up to the 90% point it was honestly one of my favourite reads in a long long time. Unfortunately the last 10% was hugely disappointing as mentioned earlier. I really can’t get my head around where the author thought it in any way fitted with the rest of the book. Apart from the religious “happenings” it all just felt a little too neatly tied up in a bow for the readers.

Despite all that I really loved this book overall. It was a compelling read, beautifully written for the most part and enthralled me. I hope my negative view of the final chapters doesn’t put anyone off reading it as, despite it being a a mark down and a very disappointing ending, it doesn’t take away from the fact that probably 90% of this book is near perfection for me. I’d thoroughly recommended it and advise you to get your hands on a copy as soon as you can.

Many thanks to Netgalley, Lake Union Publishing and Robert Dugoni for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I first discovered Robert Dugoni through his stand-alone book The Seventh Canon and was impressed by his ability to tell a story. Subsequently, I have been enthralled by his Tracey Crosswhite crime series of books where he has sustained my interest for the last few years. When I had the opportunity to read a copy of this latest offering, I was intrigued to see whether the author had the ability to keep me hooked as he took me in yet another direction. I can only say that I was not disappointed as I followed the account of Sam Hell from his early years through a series of challenges to adulthood. Without the Dugoni "brand name" I may have overlooked this book and would have missed such a fascinating tale. I was also fascinated by the author's explanation at the end of the book for the reasons how it came to be written.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars. An extraordinary tale from Mr. Dugoni. I first became a fan of his from his Tracey Crosswhite series. This book is nothing like the Tracey stories, but I still loved it.

I just loved Sam, Ernie, Mickie and so many others. This is such a wonderful story of the love that a parent has for a child and the extraordinary lengths some go through to help and protect their children. This is also a tale of the darker side of love. A coming of age story and so much more, as we go through the years with Sam and his family and friends. Warmly told by RD with his superb writing. I couldn't put this one down.

**Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for providing the ARC in exchange of an honest review.**

Loved it!

My first book by Robert Dugoni and I really enjoyed it. This is the story of a young boy who is born with ocular albinism, which is no color to his iris which makes them appear red . He is ostracized by other children who call him a devil boy, except for Ernie and Micki who become lifelong friends. A big part of this book centers on his relationship with his mother, who is Catholic and. very dedicated to her religion. It is a very touching story of Sam , his life and how he came to accept himself. A very lovely story! Thank you, Mr Dugoni.

Thank you to NetGalley, Robert Dugoni and Lake Union Publishing for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

THE EXTRAORDINARY LIFE OF SAM HELL by Robert Dugoni is the story of Sam Hill, who was born in 1957 with ocular albinism which gave him red eyes. His classmates called him, "the devil boy" and "Sam Hell." His mother, who was a devout Catholic, called him,"Extraordinary" and claimed that the colour of his eyes was "God's will."
Sam thought that God 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 will that brought Mickie Kennedy to be his other best friend.
I adored Sam's loving parents, and Ernie and Mickie - his two lifelong best friends. I loved Sam and felt his pain and confusion when he was hurt, and smiled and laughed with him during the good times.
With great character development and an engaging realistic storyline, Robert Dugoni has skillfully written this extraordinary novel. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Samuel Hill from birth, through childhood and adolescence to present day adult. I raced through the short chapters wanting to know what was going to happen next. There was never a dull moment.
In the Acknowledgments the author shares that his deeply religious mother was a strong advocate for his brother with Down Syndrome. Robert Dugoni also tells about reading a short article in the newspaper about a young boy in Australia being denied admittance to a Catholic school because he had been born with ocular albinism and the nuns thought he'd be disruptive to the other students. The other students nicknamed this poor child the devil boy. Mr. Dugoni wrote the first draft of this novel in five weeks!
I enjoy the Tracy Crosswhite detective mystery series by this author and look forward to reading each new one as it becomes available. This magnificent standalone novel, THE EXTRAORDINARY LIFE OF SAM HILL, is a totally different genre. Kudos to the talented Robert Dugoni for writing this extraordinary powerful book! I highly recommend this novel. 5/5 extraordinary shining stars

And an extraordinary life it is. I loved this coming-of-age story of a boy named Sam born with red pupils. A simple and creative concept that generated a GREAT story. His character is well-developed and I so enjoyed watching him grow, along with admiring his fierce dedication to his parents and best friends. I loved Sam’s mother, a force to be reckoned with and someone to aspire to. Sam’s strict Catholic upbringing brought me back to my 60’s childhood. I chuckled with references of “God’s will” to explain away what life throws your way. The chapters alternate between Sam as a youth and as a grown man. to. One of my favorites of the year and I look forward to reading additional Robert Dugoni books.