The Twelve Lives of Samuel Hawley by Hannah Tinti

Cats have nine lives but Samuel Hawley has twelve. Twelve bullets have penetrated his body and each one has a story. The Twelve Lives of Samuel Hawley is primarily a story about a man and his daughter.

The book starts with Hawley and his twelve year old daughter, Loo’s (Louise), move back to Olympus, MA, home of Loo’s mother, Lily. Sam and Lily’s mother, Mabel Ridge, were never on good terms and that didn’t change with their return. Hawley decided that life on the go, never settling in one place for long, was not appropriate for either him or Loo. So they settle into Olympus, neither one used to living among people.

As their lives go forward over the five year span of the book, there are flashbacks to each of the bullets making their physical and emotional mark on Hawley’s body and how each of them propelled him forward to the present.

The Twelves Lives of Samuel Hawley by Hannah Tinti is a touching story with love, suspense, growing up, awakening. The various characters are really fleshed out and all will grab your attention. Tinti has written a totally unique story. I can’t even think of a readalike. I was hesitant at first but since the book was highly recommended, I thought I’d give it a try. Now I can highly recommend it to you.