“The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell, is a captivating and poignant journey of strength and the power of finding your true self. Without a doubt, this is Dugoni’s best yet.“
NO MAJOR SPOILERS
This beautiful book is the story of Sam Hill, born with an eye condition called occular albinism, which make your eyes the color of red. Because of this, he is called Sam Hell.
He is ostracized as a young boy by everyone, including the head Nun at his school. His best if not only friend at school is Ernie Cantwell, the only black kid in the school. They bond together and will be friends for life. His other friend, Mickie Kennedy, is the alleged “Fast Girl” at school. The only other support Sam has is his parents, especially his mother, who is deeply religious and always believes that God will make things right.
Sam will be bullied at school, passed by for awards he should have received, and have few relationships outside his small core of buddies.
The book will go into Sams adult life. He will become an eye doctor because of his condition. Through flashbacks between his youth and adulthood we will see Sam go through things most of us go through, including marriage and an old nemesis trying to maintain his intimidation over Sam.
But Sam has an inner strength because of what he has gone through, and when the worst that can happen does, he will know he has the ability to be a survivor.
Faith also plays an important part in this story. Sam’s extremely close relationship with his mother will help Sam through the toughest parts of life, and for the emotional readers out there, you should keep a box of tissues handy.
This was a joy to read and I highly recommend it.
Reviewed by:
Richard Franco
Added 15th August 2018
