The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell: A Novel

I liked the writers style and how he tied into Catholic spiritualism into the novel. Sam’s parents were such an inspiring couple even fictional of their dedication to themselves, their son, each other, and God. When both of them went to the holy site it inspired me as a Catholic to find a similar place to renew my own faith. I loved that Sam was able to find love and that he chose another way to be a parent. I loved how his mom purely helped him become a father figure to a boy he saw himself in. Also the author does read the book for free on YouTube.

"We realize it is in those quiet moments that each of us has the ability to make our lives extraordinary." Sam Hill, 6 years old, is a little boy with ocular albinism, a condition that makes his eyes appear red. Sam's mom, a devout Catholic, from the moment he is born declares his condition "God's Will" and that Sam's life will be extraordinary. His mother wants what is best for him and fights to get him into a prestigious Catholic school, despite rumblings of the other students calling him "devil boy". Sam starts school and quickly finds out that he is different from the other kids. He gets teased and bullied and finds it hard to make friends until Ernie arrives at the school. Ernie is also an outcast due to the color of his skin and Sam and Ernie quickly build a strong bond. Sam and Ernie later befriend Mickie, another outcast in their small town. Sam survives his school years with the support of his two misfit best friends, as well as his devoted amazing parents. Decades later, the misfits are still best friends and Sam is now their small town ophthalmologist. A series of tragic events occur that make Sam question the faith his mother has instilled in him as well as rock Sam's confidence in himself and everything he has known to be true and just. I really liked this story. It is a story of true friendship, family and faith. It gave a great perspective on life and on what is truly important. If you read this story I recommend reading the author's notes on how this story came to be. I loved all the main characters, especially Sam's amazing parents.

A story of a boy with red eyes (ocular albinism) who faces prejudice, bullies, friendship, tragedy and religion. This coming of age story will have laughing, angry and crying

This was a very good book and prompted a great discussion at book club last night.

This was really a great story! I'd not read anything by Dugoni before. A good reason to stick with book club! I loved the details he pulled from his own life, and the lifelong friendships/relationship.