Sam (Goodman novel)

Last updated
Sam
Sam Goodman novel cover.jpg
First edition cover of Sam
Author Allegra Goodman
Cover artistDonna Cheng
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
GenreLiterary fiction
Published2023 (Dial)
Publication date
January 3, 2023
Pages336
ISBN 9780593596821

Sam is a literary fiction novel by Allegra Goodman. It was published in the United States by Dial Press on January 3, 2023.

Contents

Plot

Sam is a coming-of-age story following a girl named Sam who grows up in Beverly, Massachusetts. Sam's father is a magician who constantly travels for performances and her mother is a hairdresser. As Sam grows up, she becomes increasingly attached to the sport of climbing – climbing trees, buildings, and rock climbing. [1]

Development history

Publication history

Sam was published on January 3, 2023 by Dial Press. [2]

Reception

Sam received mixed reviews from critics upon its release. [2] Mary Pols praised the book in The New York Times Book Review, drawing a positive comparison to Richard Linklater's 2014 film Boyhood. [1] Booklist 's Donna Seaman positively described Goodman's prose and narration style and a review in BookPage described the book as "stand[ing] out among realistic coming-of-age novels." [3] [4]

In contrast, Sam received more negative reviews from several prominent critics. The Boston Globe published a review of the book by Priscilla Gilman who criticized Goodman's control of the various character's voices and criticized what she saw as a lack of reflection throughout the novel, describing the book as "YA masquerading as adult fiction." [5] The Washington Post's Ron Charles praised Goodman's language and the novel's "prettiness" but wrote that those qualities led to the story feeling predictable. [6]

While Publishers Weekly wrote positively about the book's story and Goodman's prose, Kirkus Reviews panned the book, criticizing Goodman for not exploring the implications of Sam's sexual experimentation and writing that "there isn't enough texture in its treatment of the many serious issues faced by its heroine to satisfy readers." [7] [8]

John Podhoretz of Commentary Magazine praised the book for its realistic portrayal of a child protagonist. [9]

Sam was selected by Jenna Bush Hager as a Today show book club pick shortly after publication. [10]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Allegra Goodman</span> American writer

Allegra Goodman is an American writer based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Goodman wrote and illustrated her first novel at the age of seven.

<i>The Lazarus Project</i> (novel) 2008 novel by Aleksandar Hemon

The Lazarus Project is a 2008 novel by Bosnian fiction writer and journalist Aleksandar Hemon. It features the true story of the death of Lazarus Averbuch, a teenaged Jewish immigrant to Chicago who was shot and killed by a police officer in 1908. It was a finalist for the 2008 National Book Award and National Book Critics Circle Award, as well as the winner of the inaugural Jan Michalski Prize for Literature in 2010.

The Belles is a dystopian young adult novel series by Dhonielle Clayton, consisting of three books: The Belles (2018), The Everlasting Rose (2019) and The Beauty Trials (2023). The first two books are Junior Library Guild selections.

<i>The Book of Aron</i> 2015 novel by Jim Shepard

The Book of Aron is a historical fiction novel by Jim Shepard, published May 12, 2015 by Knopf Publishing Group.

<i>When Stars Are Scattered</i> 2020 nonfiction young adult graphic novel by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed

When Stars Are Scattered is a nonfiction young adult graphic novel written by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed, illustrated by Victoria Jamieson and Iman Geddy, and published April 14, 2020, by Dial Books.

<i>The Final Revival of Opal & Nev</i> 2021 historical fiction novel by Dawnie Walton

The Final Revival of Opal & Nev is a 2021 historical fiction novel by Dawnie Walton published by 37 Ink. It received the 2022 Virginia Commonwealth University Cabell First Novelist Award, the 2022 Aspen Words Literary Prize, and was nominated for the Women's Prize for Fiction.

<i>The Maid</i> (novel) 2022 novel by Nita Prose

The Maid: A Novel is a 2022 murder mystery debut novel by Canadian author Nita Prose.

<i>Gunk Baby</i> 2021 novel by Jamie Marina Lau

Gunk Baby is a literary fiction novel by Jamie Marina Lau. It is Lau's second novel after 2018's Pink Mountain on Locust Island.

<i>Screaming on the Inside</i> 2022 non-fiction book by Jessica Grose

Screaming on the Inside: The Unsustainability of American Motherhood is a 2022 non-fiction book by Jessica Grose.

<i>Things We Found When the Water Went Down</i> 2022 novel by Tegan Nia Swanson

Things We Found When the Water Went Down is a literary fiction novel by Tegan Nia Swanson. Published on December 6, 2022, it is Swanson's first novel.

<i>Anon Pls.</i> 2022 novel by DeuxMoi and Jessica Goodman

Anon Pls. is a novel by the pseudonymous author DeuxMoi and Jessica Goodman. The novel is a work of autofiction and a retelling of the real-life DeuxMoi Instagram account, which publishes celebrity gossip.

<i>The Terraformers</i> 2023 novel by Annalee Newitz

The Terraformers is a novel by Annalee Newitz. It was published on January 31, 2023, and was received positively by book critics.

And Finally: Matters of Life and Death is a 2023 memoir by Henry Marsh. It was published by Jonathan Cape on September 1, 2022, and received positive reviews from critics.

<i>I Have Some Questions for You</i> 2023 novel by Rebecca Makkai

I Have Some Questions for You is a literary mystery novel by Rebecca Makkai. The novel received positive critical reception upon release, and spent six weeks on the New York Times bestseller list.

Theory of Bastards is a 2018 science fiction novel by Audrey Schulman.

<i>Where the World Ends</i> 2017 young adult novel by Geraldine McCaughrean

Where the World Ends is a 2017 young adult novel by Geraldine McCaughrean and illustrated by Jane Milloy. It won the 2018 Carnegie Medal.

The Schuyler Sisters novel series written by Beatriz Williams consists of three books: The Secret Life of Violet Grant (2014), Tiny Little Thing (2015), and Along the Infinite Sea (2015).

<i>Lucha of the Night Forest</i> 2023 young adult fantasy novel by Tehlor Kay Mejia

Lucha of the Night Forest is a 2023 young adult fantasy novel by Tehlor Kay Mejia.

<i>A History of Burning</i> 2023 novel by Janika Oza

A History of Burning is a 2023 novel by Canadian author Janika Oza. It was shortlisted for the Governor General's Award for English-language fiction at the 2023 Governor General's Awards. The 10 perspectives, the novel traces a family's experiences over a century as they migrate from India to Africa and eventually to Canada, all the while facing the challenge of preserving their cultural customs and unity in the face of a frequently unwelcoming environment and evolving societal standards.

<i>North Woods</i> (novel) 2023 novel by Daniel Mason

North Woods is a 2023 novel by American novelist Daniel Mason. The novel, Mason's sixth, is a work of historical fiction that tells the story of a single house in New England over the course of several centuries.

References

  1. 1 2 Pols, Mary (2023-01-03). "This Is Girlhood, Warts and All". The New York Times. Retrieved 2023-01-06.
  2. 1 2 "Sam". BookMarks. Retrieved 2023-01-06.
  3. Seaman, Donna. "Sam" . Booklist. Retrieved 2023-01-06.
  4. Mudge, Alden (2023-01-03). "Sam". BookPage. Retrieved 2023-01-06.
  5. Gilman, Priscilla (2022-12-29). "Allegra Goodman's sixth novel, 'Sam,' examines the complicated circumstances of a girl's life from childhood through adolescence". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2023-01-06.
  6. Charles, Ron (2023-01-03). "In Allegra Goodman's 'Sam,' a young rock climber struggles to grow up". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2023-01-06.
  7. "Sam". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 2023-01-06.
  8. "Sam". Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved 2023-01-06.
  9. John Podhoretz (2023-05-23). "Did Someone Say 'Debt'?". The Commentary Magazine Podcast (Podcast). Commentary.
  10. Schaub, Michael (2023-01-03). "'Sam' Is 'Today' Show Book Club Pick". Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved 2023-01-06.