The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell

Author: Robert Dugoni
Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Coming of Age
Type: e-book
Source: Amazon.ca
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
First Published: April 24, 2018
Opening Lines: "My mother called it "God's will." At those moments in my life when things did not go as I had hoped or planned, and there were many, she would say, "It's God's will, Samuel." This was hardly comforting to a six-year-old boy, even one "blessed" with a healthier does of perspective than most children at that age."

Book Description from GoodReads: Sam Hill always saw the world through different eyes. Born with red pupils, he was called “Devil Boy” by his classmates; “God’s will” is what his mother called his ocular albinism. Her words were of little comfort, but Sam persevered, buoyed by his mother’s devout faith, his father’s practical wisdom, and his two other misfit friends.

Sam believed it was God who sent Ernie Cantwell, the only African American kid in his class, to be the friend he so desperately needed. And that it was God’s idea for Mickie Kennedy to storm into Our Lady of Mercy like a tornado, uprooting every rule Sam had been taught about boys and girls.

Forty years later, Sam, a small-town eye doctor, is no longer certain anything was by design—especially not the tragedy that caused him to turn his back on his friends, his hometown, and the life he’d always known. Running from the pain, eyes closed, served little purpose. Now, as he looks back on his life, Sam embarks on a journey that will take him halfway around the world. This time, his eyes are wide open—bringing into clear view what changed him, defined him, and made him so afraid, until he can finally see what truly matters.

My Rating: 4.5 stars

My Review: I've been a big fan of Robert Dugoni's Tracy Crosswhite suspense series for many years but his latest stand-alone novel isn't a suspenseful mystery. It is a heart-felt coming-of-age story about a boy named Sam Hill who faces adversity throughout his life because he was born with a genetic abnormality - ocular albinism which gives him red eyes. 

Sam Hill (nicknamed 'Sam Hell' and 'Devil Boy') is a main character readers will easily get behind. The story is told using short chapters alternating between Sam's childhood and adulthood, where readers witness Sam's struggles with discrimination, a ruthless bully and being a social outcast. But through it all he has the unwavering support of his two best friends and his parents but its his relationship with this mother, his staunchest champion, that brought a few tears to this reader's eyes. 

This is an engaging and touching story that hits all the emotional buttons and will be especially appreciated by those who have ever felt like an underdog. Sam's story is about faith (without being preachy), loyalty, persistence and unconditional love. You're going to love Sam Hill.

Note: I highly recommend you read the author's acknowledgements at the end of the book. I loved learning about his personal connection to the story and how the idea of Sam Hill began.