A boy born with red eyes into a catholic family and defended by a religious mother who protects him from the "Devil Child" discrimination of the "righteous."

Since a friend recommended the book, I jumped right in without any further inspection. I didn't even check the author's name, or register the word "Novel" in the title, so I unwittingly thought this was a creatively written memoir. I innocently assumed "Sam Hill" was recounting his 1/2 life history from the paper covered doctor's office chair, while re-considering the vasectomy awaiting him in 45 minutes. A delicate, yet fun framing event encapsulated in a singsongy, Americana style of telling.

I particularly enjoyed an early chapter where his mother goes cross to cross with the catholic school principal who expressly denies "Sam Hill" admittance precisely because of his eyes. I enjoyed this scene so much, I very much would like to produce/direct it into a film short. (Feel free to contact me Mr. Dugoni.)

That said, this name "Sam Hill" (pronounced as "Hell" by his peers) stuck in my craw. Who in Sam Hill would name their kid Sam Hill? The naming scene rang more satirical than true. Then as that absolutely lovely Catholic mother vs. pius Catholic Principal confrontation was followed by a series of "underdog vs the world" stories a la Mark Twain, I turned to the cover and finally inspected the name of the author. Aha! Not Sam Hill!!!

Anyway. Very very readable and even moving. Robert Dugoni had me laughing out loud to myself and then at other times cajoling a small tear from the crease of my eye. Always engrossing, though the early sections more so than the later parts are rich in style with a loving sense of Twain-like satirical humor and humanist earnestness that unfolds with the readers best interests in mind. However, as the book begins to meander forward, that careful focus begins to blur. Some stories feel unnecessary, and a few changes in tone feel out of place as if the writer lost his careful connection with the reader.

My Mark Twain suspicions were confirmed as Dugoni refers to Twain directly in the text. One of my criticisms of Twain is that he can be "episodic" which interestingly Dugoni reveals to have been a criticism of the early drafts of this book. This fault was not completely eliminated in Dugoni's final draft - though a few rewrites could have helped. I would have scrapped one of the grade school interactions with the school bully. And left out the whole section on Donna the buxom jezebel. The tone there drifts, robbing the book of some charm. I'd have challenged Dugoni to accomplish the same thing with less true-to-teen language ... and more of that wink-wink family friendly, but still adult, Twainy / Andy Taylor.

Overall, I enjoyed this read, though I do feel that the first third is higher quality than the rest. Interestingly enough, I felt similarly about Twain's Finn, though Finn is a masterpiece all the way to the midpoint, before Tom Sawyer hijacks the narrative.

Despite these qualms, and despite a somewhat bowtie ending (which is not all together unsatisfying) "Sam Hell" is still a good read. Masterwork in the first third, plus I greatly appreciate the message of facing bullies, faith in self, relentless conviction to bettering self, loving self, and service to others -- all in the face insecurity, as well as, plain-old mean-spirited pushback. Life certainly is a beautiful challenge.

This book is also a rather beautiful ode to steadfast mothers - always there for their children. As I just lost my tenaciously loving mother a few months ago, that theme hit home.

Thank you Lisa, for recommending this book.

Read more Book Reviews by Author/Illustrator Ross Anthony.