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.

Listening Length

11 hours and 41 minutes
Author

Robert Dugoni
Narrator

Robert Dugoni
Audible release date

April 24 2018
Language

English
Publisher

Brilliance Audio
ASIN

B07BNXJ34G
Version

Unabridged
Program Type

Audiobook
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Product details

Listening Length	11 hours and 41 minutes
Author	Robert Dugoni
Narrator	Robert Dugoni
Audible.ca Release Date	April 24 2018
Publisher	Brilliance Audio
Program Type	Audiobook
Version	Unabridged
Language	English
ASIN	B07BNXJ34G
Best Sellers Rank	#552 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals) #7 in Coming of Age Fiction (Audible Books & Originals) #32 in Literary Fiction (Audible Books & Originals) #83 in Coming of Age Fiction (Books)

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5

27,857 global ratings

5 star		67%
4 star		23%
3 star		7%
2 star		2%
1 star		1%

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Top reviews from Canada

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Leslie Connors

Loved it!

Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on December 10, 2022

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Highly recommend this book. I couldn't put it down and read it in 2 days.

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Nadine G.

Couldn't put it down!

Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on November 25, 2022

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Many moments of tears, smiles and so much more. Thank you to the author and rich characters. The book is now one of my faves! :)

2 people found this helpful

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Nilton C. Teixeira

very engaging

Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on July 13, 2022

Verified Purchase

This was a delightful surprise.
Great storyline and structure, with very short chapters that were absolutely engaging.
It’s full of heart. It’s not flawless, but I was completely immersed in the story.
The ending, although cheesy, was very touching. I was reading the last 16% in the subway, riding to work, and I had to hold back my tears. Had I been home I would have bawled.

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

True story

Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on July 27, 2022

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Lives are challenging sometimes and thanks for sharing the humanity!

2 people found this helpful

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Michael Turner

The extraordinary life of Sam Hell

Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on March 20, 2021

Verified Purchase

Well written novel about how faith can help us pull through life’s adversities.It kept my attention and flowed freely.A strong Mother and son bond which transcends all obstacles. How faith can keep us grounded even in life’s ups and downs. I believe in the circle of life and second chances. Parents give so much to their children and it was nice to see it reciprocated.

2 people found this helpful

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turtle65

Loved this book

Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on January 5, 2021

Verified Purchase

What an amazing book to read through the Christmas holidays of 2020. It has everything a great story needs , Sam, Mickie, mom, dad, sisters of the church characters that you can feel, their emotions their highs and lows. Highly recommend have faith you will love it

3 people found this helpful

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LIRV

Loved this feel good book!

Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on January 22, 2022

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Great coming of age book!

One person found this helpful

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Luc F Brown

Captivating !

Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on May 7, 2019

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This story reminds that your life's tribulations are truly your own and that the why's should be left for the end, if at all.

One person found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

Siltone

The Extraordinary Book By Robert Dugoni

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on July 9, 2020

Verified Purchase

Well, talk about a novel that I couldn't put down! This was a tremendous read. I'd never come across this author's books before, but I saw several very complimentary comments about this novel by reviewers I've come to trust, so duly ordered myself a copy. I understand that this writer usually pens best-selling, highly-rated crime thrillers, so this is possibly a one-off diversion for him.
Anyway, I was very moved by this sensitively told tale about an American boy who is born with red eyes. As you would expect, his unusual appearance provokes major issues for him, particularly as a child. The story is actually told by the grown-up Samuel Hill. He starts from when he is a baby, and relates his Mum and Dad's recollections, his Mum's scrap-book diaries, family photographs, home movies, and his own memories to brilliantly flesh out his formative, and then later years. This really is writing of the highest order, and put me through a gamut of emotions as I slowly got to 'know' Sam and 'witness' the trials and tribulations that beset him throughout his life. I rarely succumb to tears when reading a novel, but I couldn't control shedding a few with this book. To redress the balance though, there is a fair degree of humour woven throughout this wonderful story.
I loved every moment I spent with this book and, in a way, was sorry to turn that very last page. This is one of those books that once in a while will come your way - and at such times, you need to give it the respect it deserves. So, if possible, find the time, the space, and the solitude to fully savour its contents - a comfy armchair, a large plate of biscuits, and a mug of freshly-brewed tea may also enhance the experience! I can't praise it enough. My advice: get you hands on a copy ASAP, read it, digest in and feel enriched by the experience.
I love 'spreading the word' after I've found a 'standout piece of fiction' which this most certainly is. On that note, if you have found my review of use, please feel free to hit that 'Helpful' button below. Such a positive gesture will not only make my day, it'll also remind me that people out there are actually reading what I post! - many thanks & enjoy your reading. 😊📖📚

149 people found this helpful

Amazon Customer

So disappointed in the surprise religion push

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on October 14, 2018

Verified Purchase

I felt tricked by the lack of declaration of religious theme, after reading this book. I have no interest organized religion, other than a sorrow for the horrible things done in the name of it , and an appreciation for those who do believe (in whatever they believe), yet don't try to drag me or others into it. I wish this had billed as a 'believe' push, so that I could have saved myself some money and time.

1,174 people found this helpful

J. Laithwaite

Medical errors make the story less believable

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on August 22, 2018

Verified Purchase

In terms of enjoyable fiction, and the reading of the Audible book, I really enjoyed this novel.

HOWEVER,

as an ophthalmologist I am having to maintain a rather significant suspension of disbelief. There is no indication that Sam's ocular albinism affects his vision in any way - he apparently sees well enough to be an ophthalmologist, which is a highly unlikely event. This means that the novel deals with the social effects of someone who has red eyes, but not the reality of living with a disease which would certainly affect the patient's light sensitivity, vision and visual experiences.

To add insult to injury, the description of leaving a patient with a retinal detachment for a couple of weeks, when she should have surgery the same day, again demonstrates the lack of a knowledgeable medical advisor.

These factual errors don't ruin the story, but they did make it less believable and enjoyable for me.

1,251 people found this helpful

Boingboing

One Hell of a Book

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on September 1, 2018

Verified Purchase

When Sam Hill was born his eyes were closed. His troubles started when he opened them to reveal that they were red. Sam's mother loved him for his red eyes and fought for him to be given the opportunities that were open to other children - standing up to the school admissions team and insisting he be allowed to attend, supporting him when the school wanted to expel him for fighting.

We're used to tales of prejudice based on race, religion, disability, sexuality etc, but this book takes on unfair treatment of a boy for his eye colour and works as a bit of a morality tale.

This book is about the power of friendship between Sam and his best friends Ernie, the only black kid in school, and Mickie, the daughter of an alcoholic mother, and also a story of family love. Sam's mother is a wonderful, powerful, deeply religious woman who just won't take no for an answer.

The extraordinary life of the title is a life that's perhaps more extraordinary in its apparent ordinariness. A life made special by the attitude of its protagonist.

I enjoyed this a lot. Small town life with big time messages. Though I could have done with a bit less of the slightly preachy Catholic messages towards the end.

28 people found this helpful

Bonnygran

What a surprise !

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on May 6, 2018

Verified Purchase

This is a wonderful book. It's an eloquent story, beautifully written and the surprise is that it is really not an extraordinary life in the way most people would expect, but is extraordinary in the message the story tells us about lifes troubles and joys, friends and foes and the power of a devoted Mother's faith and love. I loved it and would highly recommend it.

42 people found this helpful

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