Reviews

The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell by Robert Dugoni

mjwilson22's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

ms_kristie's review against another edition

hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

jencunn2024's review against another edition

2.0

This is a great feel-good, uplifting book about faith and love. I think it starts out strong in the first half and deflates more and more rapidly to a 2-star read. I eventually felt myself wanting to rush and skim just to get to the parts I was seeking outcomes for. The writing throughout was simplistic and tropey. I really wanted to like it and kept reading it with hope that it would have a strong ending but it didn’t. Unfortunately, the characters are 1-dimensional and never change or grow. The plot has interesting bits that turn out less than extraordinary. The best character was the devout Catholic mother but even she is stale, albeit heroine. I think this novel has definitely been overrated although I’d be the first to admit I was suckered by the description. It’s been in my want-to-read list for a long time so I was sad that I wasn’t thrilled by it. Just because I landed at a 2 here I had to go downgrade Arthur Truluv which I originally rated a 3-star but definitely was more disappointed in than this one. I personally have related to and would recommend by far The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot over this or Truluv. Still have to get to Owen Meany to see where That one falls for me. I would still recommend for faith, feel-good or enjoying a popular Catholic fiction.

avidreader76's review against another edition

inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

moco71's review against another edition

4.0

4 and a half stars! Really enjoyed this book about a boy, Sam, born with red eyes. Loved all the characters in the book and the writing style of the author. Highly recommend!!

busra_reads_'s review against another edition

fast-paced

4.0

uditnair24's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

taylormeadows's review against another edition

emotional reflective tense medium-paced

4.5

shelbyshelbxo's review against another edition

5.0

This book was absolutely incredible.
Heartbreaking, funny, thought-provoking, beautiful. Just wow.
This story and the characters will stay with me for a very long time. I cried several times while reading. There’s just so much to love here.
Being a new mother to a little boy, I related SO much to Sam’s mother. She is my favorite character. Her unwavering faith and devotion to her family made me so emotional at times.
This is one I will probably re-read. It’s just that good.

indiaj's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0