Sam

Charly #2

by Jack Weyland

Those who read Charly will definitely want to read this novel and find out what happens to Sam, Charly's husband. How does he cope with being a single father? How does he come to terms with re-entry into the single life pressures of family and church? Find out in this gripping novel.

Genres: Lds Fiction, Lds, Fiction, Romance, Young Adult, Religion, Christian Fiction

168 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1981

About the author

Jack Weyland is the best-selling author of young-adult fiction for the Latter-day Saint market. In fact, the modern genre of Latter-day Saint-themed popular fiction is one he is largely responsible for creating with his overwhelmingly popular novel Charly. His interest in fiction began with a correspondence course in creative writing taken during a summer at BYU where he was doing research work. Since then he has published more than two dozen books, and over fifty of his short stories have been published by the LDS Church magazine The New Era.

Born in Butte, Montana, Jack received a B.S. degree in physics from Montana State University and a Ph.D. in physics from BYU. Currently he teaches physics at BYU-Idaho. He formerly taught physics at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.

Jack and his wife, Sheryl, are the parents of five children and have four grandchildren. His hobbies include racquetball and singing.

Reviews

[Amelia · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was almost unbearable. It is so chauvinistic that it is on equal footing with Helen Andelin's "Fascinating Womanhood." I would give examples, but really, it's on nearly every page. I may have given the book 5 stars if he had died in the end. ;)

[T.A.]

I want to state VERY loudly and clearly for the record that I only read this book (or rather listened to someone read it) as a part of my post-Mormon religious deconstruction process. Shout out to Sam and Tanner from Zelf on the Shelf for providing such entertaining commentary on what is truly a dismaying but telling exploration of one Mormon author's psyche. I honestly wasn't going to review this or mark it on Goodreads at all (because let's be honest, it's embarassing), but I do have a 50-book reading challenge to win for the year, so here we are. If I sat through hours and hours of Jack Weyland's sexism, preaching, and general hijinks, I'm for damn sure going to make it count for something.

Look, sometimes you need to be serious and do some very deep, thoughtful reflection on your religious indoctrination. Other times, you just need to laugh and commiserate with others through reading mediocre Mormon romance books that you probably would have thought were perfectly fine at one point in your life. If nothing else, the horrified and flabbergasted reactions I had while listening to this are a testament to how far I've come, and that's pretty encouraging.

[Sarah Hamatake · Rating 1 out of 5]

Somehow even worse than Charly. Racism is more of a side character in this book in the series, with fat phobia and patriarchy starring.

[Christina · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was full of gender inequality and sexism. It was difficult to read. I understand that it was written years ago, but not that long ago.

[meghan · Rating 1 out of 5]

reading this book felt like a hostage situation

[Samantha · Rating 1 out of 5]

My grandma gave me this book to read because it shares my name. I've never read the first book, but it's not needed to understand this one.

I got a little over a third of the way into this book before stopping. The characters all say/do stupid things, the pace of the book is slow, and I'm just bored with it--so bored, I actually fell asleep for a few minutes just now when reading it. I never fall asleep reading books, so that tells you how bored I am.

So, his wife's been dead for SIX WEEKS, and the Bishop tells him he needs to start looking for a new one? Umm... Give the guy some time to grieve! Then, when Sam does decide he needs a mother for his kid, he pursues a girl he doesn't love and who is interested in another guy. Wow. No wonder the girl didn't fall for him. Sam spends more time being obsessed with the idea of being old and single than he does grieving for his dead wife.

Then there's that home teacher. Him teaching people and not helping them was drawn out way too long, and it felt like his purpose in the book was to highlight how great Sam was at helping random strangers.

Then there's Shirley. So she's been talking to this guy and they're supposed to meet, only for him to meet someone else on the way there? I'm not saying this couldn't happen, but it felt very contrived, and most long distance relationships don't have such a twist.

I think the only reason I read as far as I did was because I was waiting to see the next ridiculous thing that was going to happen.

None of the characters felt real, as they and everything that happened to them seemed just a little too over the top.

I've heard people mention the first book as something they've enjoyed, but if the writing is the same as in this book, I don't see why it was once popular. I couldn't care less about anyone in this book, and I'm beyond bored.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't really know that much of what's going on, but it's the sequil to charly by jack weyland, and in this book, his parents are trying to find him a new wife, and he doesn't seem at all interested until he meets this really nice girl. He has a six month year old son named adam (I think). I haven't finished reading it so I don't know much about it. But that's why I am reading it, so I can learn about it. But I can tell you I im really interested in it.

[Brooklynn Hexem · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book doesn’t really work in the 21st century. The entire dilemma in the storyline was the fact that Sam absolutely could not, under any circumstances, handle being married to a professionally successful woman. Also there was one cringeworthy part where Sam puts his son in the car by himself as punishment 🙈🙈
It was a fun story, but I just had to repeat to myself that it was written in a verrryyyy different time. Where both of these things might have been normal. It

[Laura · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sam is an abusive father, ruins someone else's life and there is weird gender rolls and weight stuff going on.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I recently enjoyed revisiting Charly which I hadn't read for decades, and I thought I'd follow up with Sam. Weyland is sometimes credited with starting LDS YA fiction, and these forerunner books have stood the test of time, even having a movie made from the first book back in 2002.


While I enjoyed Charly, I did not much like Sam (the character). Even in Charly, I sometimes struggled with him. In Sam (the book), I find him even less likeable. The books are dated and this affects Sam as a character in how he thinks and reacts and comes across a bit sexist.


I found the short-lived bliss he had with Lara turning sour so quickly to be unbelievable considering what their relationship had been before. Overall, I found it frustrating. I recently enjoyed revisiting Charly which I hadn't read for decades, and I thought I'd follow up with Sam. Weyland is sometimes credited with starting LDS YA fiction, and these forerunner books have stood the test of time, even having a movie made from the first book back in 2002.

[Gable Roth · Rating 2 out of 5]

More stereotypes of the church in general and I guess it is stereotypes of Utah culture in the 80's. This book would be so much better if it didn't harp on those so much. Harping on them would be fine if the story didn't end up fulfilling each and ever stereotype!

I guess my main problem is that I don't really like Sam as a character very much. Sam acts like a matchmaker in helping others get married but struggles with his own relationship. I actually liked him best when he was serving these other people and helping them improve their lives. But then in his own personal interactions he is not my favorite.

I think the author didn't realize that the draw of the first book was Charly and not Sam. But people liked the book and wanted a sequel so he gave them the best he could do... It might have been best to stop. They are quick easy read's and I am a sucker for finishing what I started so I will read the third book in the series. It is about Adam, their son, so it might be better. Maybe I will like Adam better than I like Sam.

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I still thought this was a decent book but after Charly, it was really hard to get into it. I immediately fell in love with Charly and loved all of her antics. Lara was a complete opposite and Sam couldn't seem to get it together in this book so that was a little frustrating. Can't say it's not what I wouldn't do if I lost my spouse but it was too much back and forth emotionally for me. Will still read other Jack Weyland books though.

[Natasha · Rating 1 out of 5]

How should I rate this book? Charly was awful but still miles ahead of this sequel. The misogyny, anti-fatness, and religiosity are so over-the-top. Not to mention the terrible characterization and lack of any plot arc. Can I award negative stars?
Thanks again to Zelph on the Shelf for their excellent commentary while narrating this book.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than Charly, but not as good as Chary’s Diary.

[Edie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Highly recommend zelph on the shelf’s reading of both Sam and Charly

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gave this book 4 stars only for the courtship between Sam and Lara, which was sweet and funny. I thoroughly enjoyed their playful energy and sense of humor. There were, however, several things that annoyed me about this book. Some of the supporting characters for example. What kind of parent starts fixing their son up on dates, telling him he needs to move on when he's only lost his wife 6 weeks earlier? How tacky is that?! It's no wonder Sam was a borderline psycho in that first relationship. Yeesh! And Jon calling Shirley a fat pig the first time they met, etc. And I'm supposed to believe they fell in love?? Yeah, no. I don't think so. I also wasn't a fan of Sam's antiquated attitude about a man and woman's role in marriage, but I mostly gritted my teeth through those passages and moved on. This IS a fairly antiquated book at this point, and I tend to think that most members of the Church know better at this point. One can only hope.

[Bek Bound By Books 💖 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a lot like Charly except Sam never learned his lesson about sexism.

This book was written during a time when it wasn’t normal for women to work outside the home. It’s obvious that this author is trying to show us a flawed protagonist with Sam, but what doesn’t work is that readers were led to believe he overcame that in Charly.

It had some great spiritual content in there. Especially the chapter or two about home teaching and making sure to put care into your calling.

I enjoyed at times but also found myself rolling my eyes a ton too. It was better when I was a teenager, just doesn’t hold up for modern times. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[Blake · Rating 2 out of 5]

I saw the Charley movie and read the book probably over ten years ago and liked it. I don't know if I read Charley now if I would like it. I have my doubts because I just read the follow-up book from Charley, Sam. The book was as corny as they come and it seemed there were some innuendos of how a mother should not work outside of the home and make sure not to drink caffeine, etc.

[Kate Peless · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't really like Sam's love interest in this book. She felt too submissive and weak. I think that that's the reason I enjoyed Charly so much. She was vivacious and rebellious. He needed someone like her. Sam just lacks any real character traits. He doesn't feel like a hero or like someone you would want to get to know. Overall, the story was bland.

[Clara Madelena · Rating 1 out of 5]

Innuendos in a Latter-Day Saint fiction book? 🙅🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️Just no. 🙊🙈🙉 There were also some misogynistic parts...I’m just confused. I thought Jack Weyland’s fiction was for teens & liked the movie Charly but...DNF. The parts about singleness were just sad, the home teachers didn’t even care about their people, and I hope Utah isn’t still like this🤞😕

[Joy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Literally terrible. The writing itself has improved slightly since Charly but the gross sexism and overall disgusting actions of Sam continues. If you're intent on reading I definitely recommend Zelph on the shelf's reading and commentary.

[Keith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good LDS novel, sequel to Charlie.

[Ranette · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet story about the life of Charley's husband trying to find love for the second time.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Where to begin? I really liked the book Charly. I cringed at many parts in this book. This was an interesting book. I’m glad for the ending. Glad they ended up working together.

[Linzi Meldrum · Rating 4 out of 5]

There was definitely some hard-core cringe right at the beginning of the book, but as Sam’s character developed, the cringiness went wayyy down. Such a cute story! A great follow-up to Charly!

[Gena Lott · Rating 5 out of 5]

The sequel to Charly, this is equally good and just as engaging.

[Rosemary Grace · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.75⭐️

[Ellee Barton · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book “Sam” (the sequel to “Charly”) by Jack Weyland is outstanding! The plot commences as Sam, a new widower, struggles to cope with the idea of having to be alone for the remainder of his and his son’s lives. With everyone badgering him to move on, he only finds his loss more difficult to bare. To convince everybody that he has let things go, he decides to seek out a wife, even if he’s not ready to love someone her. I found this book quite gripping! Though it isn't a very short book, I had no trouble getting through it quickly because of how well it was written! I was also extremely impressed with it’s abilities as a sequel! A lot of sequels to books seem to have a hard time staying true to their origin, but this one had no problems! I would rate it 4/5 stars, knocking off one because the beginning was a little slow. Luckily, it was hard for me to relate to most areas in this book, but it still seemed to mark me in a way. I think it mostly just helped to have more sympathy for those who lose their spouse, parent, grandparent, or child. Another big thing I learned is that people, including ourselves, need time when tragic events happen. Pushing things along doesn’t help the grieving process. In fact, in the long-run, being pushy can even prolong one’s healing heart. With that said, I believe that the theme conveyed in “Sam” is that things will happen when and if they are suppose to. I absolutely adore this wonderful work of literature!

[Kendra]

Sam by Jack Weyland, is the wonderful sequel to the book Charly. After Sam’s wife, Charly, dies due to cancer, he adventures out to find another woman to love. After going on a few dates with a few different women, he eventually discovers who he thinks could be the “one”. Is she really the “one” or will Sam have to keep searching for the right girl?

I enjoyed this book a lot. It was fun to read but it didn’t always have me interested. I loved how Sam didn’t give up on finding another wife, but it wasn’t as exciting as I thought it would be. Love stories are supposed to make the reader feel their love and connection, but I didn’t feel it while reading this book. I would give it a ⅗ stars because I felt like the book kept dragging on and on, it just took forever to read. I think the theme of this book is if you lose someone, life goes on.

[Alexis.L 7 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book Sam by Jack Weyland Is Great! Its about a guy named sam who lost his wife Charly due to cancer. He is trying to date again and find another spouse to spend eternal life with him and his son Adam. He goes through a few women and then he finally finds the "one." Then it just tells about there story together. I really liked this book, but not as much as Charly. I liked how he is such a turkey, and they both just kinda mess with each other. Its too cute! I didn't like how It was not charley with him because they were so perfect together! Also I didn't like how it ended so soon. I think the authors purpose Is that you can always get back on your feet, no matter the trials you have in the past.