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The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell: A Novel Kindle Edition
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.
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Editorial Reviews
Review
A Newsweek Staff Pick for Favorite Books of the Year—And All Time
A Suspense Magazine Crimson Scribe Award Winner
A Goodreads Choice Award Semifinalist, Historical Fiction
An Amazon Best Book of the Month: Literature & Fiction Category
“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
“This is the bestselling Dugoni’s masterpiece, the book by which his work, and that of others, will be measured for years to come.” —Providence Journal
“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
“Robert Dugoni has a rare and brilliant talent for infusing his characters with complex emotions. It is very hard not to ache for young Sam…Frankly, this might be the best book of the year.” —Bookreporter
“Distinctly different in style from Dugoni’s typical fare, The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell, is a captivating and poignant journey of strength and the power of finding your true self. Without a doubt, this is Dugoni’s best yet.” —Suspense Magazine
“Dugoni’s writing is compellingly quick, simple, and evocative; readers will immediately empathize with young Sam and will race to discover how his story ends. The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell is a heartwarming novel that celebrates overcoming the unfairnesses of life.” —Seattle Book Review
Past Praise for Robert Dugoni:
“Dugoni is a superb storyteller…” —Boston Globe
“Dugoni has a gift for creating compelling characters and mysteries that seem straightforward, but his stories, like an onion, have many hidden layers.” —Associated Press
About the Author
Robert Dugoni is the critically acclaimed New York Times, #1 Wall Street Journal, and #1 Amazon bestselling author of the Tracy Crosswhite Series, including My Sister’s Grave, Her Final Breath, In the Clearing, The Trapped Girl, and Close to Home. The Crosswhite Series has sold more than 2,500,000 books worldwide, and My Sister’s Grave has been optioned for television series development. Dugoni is also the author of the bestselling David Sloane series, which includes The Jury Master, Wrongful Death, Bodily Harm, Murder One, and The Conviction; the stand-alone novels The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell, The 7th Canon, and Damage Control; and the nonfiction exposé The Cyanide Canary, a Washington Post Best Book of the Year; as well as several short stories. He is the recipient of the Nancy Pearl Award for Fiction and the Friends of Mystery Spotted Owl Award for best novel in the Pacific Northwest. He is a two-time finalist for both the International Thriller Award and the Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction and has been nominated for the Mystery Writers of America’s Edgar Award. His books are sold worldwide in more than twenty-five countries and have been translated into more than two dozen languages, including French, German, Italian, and Spanish. Visit his website at www.robertdugoni.com, and follow him on Twitter @robertdugoni and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AuthorRobertDugoni.
Product details
- ASIN : B074H8NFDF
- Publisher : Lake Union Publishing (April 24, 2018)
- Publication date : April 24, 2018
- Language : English
- File size : 3.0 MB
- Text-to-Speech : Enabled
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Print length : 449 pages
- Page numbers source ISBN : 1503948978
- Best Sellers Rank: #2,451 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

Robert Dugoni is the critically acclaimed New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post and #1 Amazon bestselling author of the Tracy Crosswhite police series set in Seattle, which has sold more than 10 million books worldwide. He is also the author of The Charles Jenkins espionage series, the David Sloane legal thriller series, the Keera Duggan legal thriller series, and several stand-alone novels including the literary novel, The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell - One of Newsweek Magazines Best Books of All Time and Suspense Magazine’s Book of the Year. Dugoni’s narration won an AudioFile Earphones Award. He has also written critically acclaimed historical novels based on true events: The World Played Chess a coming of age story and the Vietnam War; Hold Strong an untold story of WWII; and A Killing on the Hill, about a 1933 killing and trial in Seattle. HIs nonfiction exposé The Cyanide Canary, was a Washington Post Best Book of the Year. His novels have been optioned for movies and television series. Dugoni is the recipient of the Nancy Pearl Award for Fiction and multiple awards for best novel set in the Pacific Northwest. He has also been a finalist for many other awards including the International Thriller Award, the Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction, the Silver Falchion Award for mystery, and the Mystery Writers of America Edgar Award.
Robert Dugoni’s books are sold in more than forty countries and have been translated into more than thirty languages.
Visit his website and follow him on Amazon, Goodreads, twitter, Facebook, Tik Tok and other social media sites.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find this novel engaging and well-written, with one review noting it reads like an autobiography. The book excels in character development, making readers easy to become invested in, and features strong family bonds and faith themes. Customers describe it as heartwarming and entertaining, with one review highlighting its beautiful story of finding faith in God, while others mention it made them cry at times. The ending receives positive feedback, with one customer describing it as an "amazing story of lost & found."
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the story engaging and well-written, with one customer describing it as a compelling Bay Area narrative.
"...As I began to read I could identify with the story . Never did I believe as I ended this story the journey Robert would but me on ...." Read more
"...and why awful things happen to the faithful, I love how the narrative came full circle without ceasing to be believable...." Read more
"...It is an easy read that definitely entertains while showing how difficult it can be to accept what life throws our way." Read more
"...themes of friendship, love, and self-acceptance are beautifully interwoven into the narrative, offering timeless lessons that resonate deeply with..." Read more
Customers find this novel heartwarming and poignant, describing it as an inspiring story about finding faith in God, with one customer noting how it made them reflect on their life experiences.
"...PLEASE pick this up & begin an unforgettable story of love of hope & emtions . Beautifully written & this will stay with me & you !!" Read more
"If you love novels with love, loss, purpose, depth, history, humor and a little suspense then The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell is for you...." Read more
"...recommend this book to readers of all ages, as its message of courage, acceptance, and love transcends the boundaries of time and resonates with the..." Read more
"...Thank you for writing such a great, and inspiring story!" Read more
Customers praise the writing quality of the book, noting it reads like an autobiography with wonderfully rich language and perfect narration.
"...Beautifully written & this will stay with me & you !!" Read more
"This is a coming of age story for mature young adults. It is an easy read that definitely entertains while showing how difficult it can be to accept..." Read more
"I was drawn into this book very quickly. The writing was very fluid. I couldn't wait to get back to it each night. Great characters and storyline...." Read more
"It was so wonderful to read about truly kind and caring people in a time where it seems like we’re losing our appreciation for telling the truth,..." Read more
Customers appreciate the character development in the book, noting how the author excels in delivering character-driven narratives and how readers can easily become invested in them.
"...Thank you, Mr. Dugoni, for touching my heart and creating characters the related to my childhood, adolescence, and adulthood...." Read more
"...The character development in this novel is exceptional, particularly in how Sam evolves over the years...." Read more
"...I couldn't wait to get back to it each night. Great characters and storyline. I plan to read more from this author." Read more
"...With that said, I enjoyed the characters. And the book itself. Would I say you would thank me for this recommendation? No...." Read more
Customers find the book engaging and heartwarming, with several mentioning it caught their attention from start to finish and made them giggle.
"If you love novels with love, loss, purpose, depth, history, humor and a little suspense then The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell is for you...." Read more
"Absolutely a fantastic read! Definitely a page turner, kept me interested from page 1. Thank you for writing such a great, and inspiring story!" Read more
"...Chess and find Author Dugoni has done another fine novel with a very different twist. I look forward to going forward or backwards to his novels...." Read more
"There wasn't anything in this book that I disliked. It kept me longing for more to the point that I was waking up at 4am to read a few more chapters...." Read more
Customers find the ending of the book heartwarming and moving, describing it as a relatable coming-of-age story that captures the complexities of maturing faith.
"This is a coming of age story for mature young adults...." Read more
"...It profiled Sam's life through many trials and tribulations .through a succession of many problems and maintaining friendships that sustained him..." Read more
"...It's a coming of age story and just a touching story of a already strange looking boy and how he overcomes the obstacle called life!" Read more
"I enjoyed this engaging story of Sam. Growing up Catholic I related to the story and laughed at the similarities we all have shared...." Read more
Customers find the book heartbreaking, with many noting it made them cry at times and brought both tears and smiles.
"...It was a very touching book and made me cry more than a few times." Read more
"Quite a story - so many good episodes - some very funny, some very painful - about what happens in life, and how good values can prevail over the..." Read more
"...It will make you laugh, cry and it will also shock you with its several surprise twists and turns...." Read more
"...This story will make you laugh, cry and maybe relate to the frustration of the problems caused by people who are so intolerant of obvious differences..." Read more
Customers appreciate the novel's portrayal of strong family bonds and friendships, highlighting the importance of family and faith.
"...The friendships he nurtured and treasured." Read more
"Absolutely loved it. Faith, forgiveness, friendship, truth, commitment, family, purpose!..." Read more
"...loved the characters, ( most of them, not the bullies) and the incredible friendships and love . I highly recommend this one." Read more
"...reflects some of the interwoven cyclical nature of life and relationships with engaging, but not distracting character development...." Read more
Reviews with images

My favorite book this year!
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2025100 stars ! I picked this book up because as a child with my 2 brothers & 2 sisters we went to Our Lady of Mercy grade school & I was intrigued . We lived close to the church & school & heard the bells. As I began to read I could identify with the story . Never did I believe as I ended this story the journey Robert would but me on . PLEASE pick this up & begin an unforgettable story of love of hope & emtions . Beautifully written & this will stay with me & you !!
- Reviewed in the United States on February 9, 2025If you love novels with love, loss, purpose, depth, history, humor and a little suspense then The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell is for you. I could not put this down and read it in a weekend. Thank you, Mr. Dugoni, for touching my heart and creating characters the related to my childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. As a believer who has also questioned my faith and why awful things happen to the faithful, I love how the narrative came full circle without ceasing to be believable. After reading it on my kindle, I bought the paperback version so my children can also read it and I hope it becomes a movie. Highly recommend!
- Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2025This is a coming of age story for mature young adults. It is an easy read that definitely entertains while showing how difficult it can be to accept what life throws our way.
- Reviewed in the United States on June 15, 2024Title: "A Heartfelt Journey Through The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell"
As a 54-year-old mom, reading "The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell" by Robert Dugoni was a poignant and emotionally resonant experience. The narrative follows the life of Sam Hill, a boy born with ocular albinism, and tracks his journey from childhood to adulthood as he navigates the challenges of being different in a world that often values conformity.
From the very first pages, I was drawn into Sam's world, feeling the weight of his struggles and triumphs as if they were my own. Dugoni's storytelling is both raw and tender, capturing the complexities of human emotions with a grace that took my breath away. As a mother, I couldn't help but see my own children in Sam's willing spirit and unyielding resilience.
The character development in this novel is exceptional, particularly in how Sam evolves over the years. Through the highs and lows of his life, I found myself rooting for him, crying with him, and celebrating his victories as if they were milestones in my own family's journey. The themes of friendship, love, and self-acceptance are beautifully interwoven into the narrative, offering timeless lessons that resonate deeply with readers of all ages.
What struck me most about "The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell" is its ability to provoke introspection and self-discovery. As a mother, I was challenged to reflect on my own prejudices, biases, and preconceived notions about what it means to be different. Through Sam's eyes, I gained a newfound appreciation for the beauty that lies in embracing our unique qualities and using them to illuminate the world around us.
This book is a testament to the power of resilience, the strength of the human spirit, and the enduring bonds of love that shape our lives in ways we may not always comprehend. As I turned the final page, I was left with a profound sense of gratitude for the reminder that in embracing our vulnerabilities, we find our greatest strengths.
In conclusion, "The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell" is a poignant and unforgettable novel that will stay with me long after I finish reading it. Robert Dugoni has crafted a masterpiece that speaks to the heart, stirring emotions and sparking introspection in a way that few stories can. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to readers of all ages, as its message of courage, acceptance, and love transcends the boundaries of time and resonates with the universal human experience.
- Reviewed in the United States on March 21, 2025Absolutely a fantastic read! Definitely a page turner, kept me interested from page 1. Thank you for writing such a great, and inspiring story!
- Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2025I was drawn into this book very quickly. The writing was very fluid. I couldn't wait to get back to it each night. Great characters and storyline. I plan to read more from this author.
- Reviewed in the United States on December 22, 2024Really liked this book. Was told by a fellow reader, I would thank her for recommending. With that said, I enjoyed the characters. And the book itself. Would I say you would thank me for this recommendation? No. A good many people would Love this book. I myself enjoyed this book. I personally found it easy to determine the outcome. The outcome was not what the quality of the main body of the story. But! It really was a great read overall. I love to see inside a group of people or what things were like for people who had a different background than myself. For that reason I would recommend this book. Learning from reading is the greatest pleasure anyone could ask for! There are many things in this book that would resonate with poeple. So, YES, give this one a go.
- Reviewed in the United States on April 1, 2025I do not typically read this type of book, but Robert Dugoni tells an amazing story. I devoured it within an afternoon. I learned to look at life differently. Thank you, Robert, for sharing such a beautiful story and the soft wisdom of your heart.
Top reviews from other countries
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oliviaReviewed in Germany on January 7, 2025
5.0 out of 5 stars Wunderschönen
Dieses Buch ist wunderschön, ich könnte es nicht aus der Hand legen, leider war das Buch in 2 Tage durch gelesen, hätte gerne wenn es noch weiter ging
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catherine timminsReviewed in Spain on June 3, 2022
5.0 out of 5 stars É um boa livro sobre Católico familia
eu adoro o livro !!!!!
- AbhijeetReviewed in India on January 31, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Touching, engaging, sad at times but heartwarming
A lovely story of a difficult life for a child who was born different at a time when differences were feared a lot more than they are now.
- ChagalixReviewed in the United Arab Emirates on December 27, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Very good book
A heartfelt tale of growing up with a difference.
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music fanReviewed in France on October 17, 2023
4.0 out of 5 stars Très bonnes études de caractères
Très bien écrit et intéressant, il manque juste un peu plus d'action pour la 5e étoile.