It is said that God has a plan…even if we can not see it until it’s in the rearview window. ~Sheila
Sam Hill was born with red eyes, a condition called ocular albinism, but his mother called it God’s will. As Sam grows and takes his hard-earned spot at Lady Of Mercy School, he wonders if it is also God’s will that he is bullied and beaten and called “Devil Eyes.” And was it also God’s Will that one of his teachers is unusually cruel to him, and his friends are few and hard to find.
But Sam’s two misfit friends are perfect for him. Ernie Cantwell is the only African American student in the school and has battles of a different kind. Mickie Kennedy is a strong-willed girl with a horrific past of abuse and has no trust for anyone beyond her friendship with both Sam and Ernie.
And – as Sam grows into a man, his extraordinary life leads him in extraordinary ways and learning that running through life with your eyes closed – serves little purpose… in fact, opening them might just allow him to see more clearly.
This is one of those books that has been on my radar (and on my shelf) for a long time. I can’t even tell you why, other than the only stand by of, So many books, so little time…. and – sometimes, it seems like certain books wait for the time to be right to be picked up and read.
I want to tell you that this book was an easy read, but that is not right. It’s definitely a good read, but a hard one. The topics of physical abuse at the hands of another student are hard to read, but do not let that discourage you from picking this book up. TELOSH feels real. I could see it all clearly and not once felt that it was far-fetched. I loved everything about this book, including his two misfit friends, because in all honesty, when you get right down to it, having one really good ride or die friend is more than most have… having two… well, that’s amazing in itself. And sometimes, we just need to open our eyes to see what is right before us.
This book was published in 2018. If you have not read it, I highly recommend that you do. TELOSH reminds us that why things happen is not always crystal clear – yet when you look back, you can most times see how you changed in ways that are significant because of it, albeit it can be the most painful thing you will ever do.
Read this book.
Rated: 4 out of 5
Read Author Before: No
Read Author Again: I would
Book Club Worthy: Yes. Ther is so much to unpack here
Where Listened: Home/Traveling for work
Book Journey 
Dugoni zoomed in to our book club last month. He said Sam Hell continues to be his best-selling book, even though he has written a number of books since this one. I am one of many people I know who love this book. And, as an added bonus, he narrates his own book. He does a terrific job.
Lloyd Russell (408) 348-4849
Lloyd thank you so much for sharing that! I listened to this on audio and did not event catch that authors narrated it! I love that he ZOOMED in for your book club – that is so the best!
TELOSH! I love that nickname! Somehow, I found Dugoni on my Kindle unlimited subscription way back when and I tore thru his Tracy Crosswhite series. If you have not read those, I cannot recommend them enough. I just love the character, she is fantastic and so is Sam Hell.
Also, Dugoni is an avid golfer, which is a big plus in my book. I admire the way that he had a different career and then got into writing like others such as Jack Carr. Very cool.
So I saw this one also on Kindle Unlimited and I admit having read him already I was intrigued by the title of this book, TELOSH!, grabbed me. Since reading it on my Kindle I have reread it 4 more times bought the hardcover for myself and as gifts for others and also listened to the audiobook 2 more times on long road trips. I recommend it to everyone. This review is spot on!
I have a few books that I always recommend to people who want to find something new with a timely and important message without so much gratuitous sex and violence, this is one of them, Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger is another, along with A Prayer for Owen Meany. Sam is in good company!