Liz Says
Read This Next
The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell
Robert Dugoni
Literary Fiction
449 pages
Published April 2018
I knew of this author from his #1 Amazon bestselling Tracy Crosswhite Series, including My Sister’s Grave, Her Final Breath, In the Clearing, The Trapped Girl, and Close to Home. When I read ‘My Sister’s Grave’ with such a strong female protagonist, I was convinced the author must be a woman. Even after seeing the dedication to a wife, I assumed the author was gay until I finally looked at the photo. I guess that just shows his skill as a writer, which is in large supply.
This 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 was born with red pupils and was called “Devil Boy” or Sam “Hell” by his classmates. His mother claimed his ocular albinism was God’s will and would become a miracle. Her devout faith and the friendship of two other misfits saw him through many misadventures during his school years at ‘Our Lady of Mercy’.
Finally grown and with the use of colored contacts he begins to lead a mostly normal life and turns away from his relationship with God, who he feels deserted him long ago.
Years later, Sam, a small-town eye doctor, is no longer certain of anything in his life. As he looks back on his struggles, he goes on a journey that will take him halfway around the world. His eyes are finally open, bringing into clear view what changed him, defined him, and made him so afraid. He finally learns what truly matters and through the character’s pain and eventual acceptance, the author offers hope in a disturbed and uncertain world.
Enjoy
Liz
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