The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell

How can I express how good THE EXTRAORDINARY LIFE OF SAM HELL is? Can I write that well? I've read a few other Robert Dugoni books and they're good, but this has to be his masterpiece. Here is what I'm going to do: Even though I already read the library book, I'll buy a copy of it just to loan to my recommendees. It's too good not to share.

Sam Hill (not really Hell) has ocular albinism, so his eyes are red. As a result, he gets lots of funny looks from people, and his classmates make fun of him and don't include him in their activities. Even some adults discriminate against him, including the principal of his Catholic school.

One of those mean kids bullies Sam, nearly kills him. That's David. He's a sociopath, maybe a psychopath, and he show more continues to plague Sam until much later in life.

But Sam has two lifelong friends, Ernie, the only black kid in their school, and Mickie, a loudmouth girl who is unlike the other girls in school. More than that, Sam has wonderful parents, particularly his mother. You'll love her.

Dugoni takes the reader from there to their high school and college years and beyond. All the while, Sam waits for that extraordinary life his mother promises God has in store for him. THE EXTRAORDINARY LIFE OF SAM HELL is unputdownable.

Do yourself a favor and read it. show less

I absolutely LOVED this book, probably one of my top 10 ever. This is a story of a young man born with a unique condition, and how his family and others treated him as a result. It is a story of love, faith, friendship, kindness, and yes, cruelty.
Sam Hill (Hell) reflects upon his life from his birth to present day. It is a touching, wonderful book. Ernie and Mickie are his best friends from grade school, and continue to be his best friends his entire life. His parents, especially his mother, are his rocks.
I love how the author explores faith in this book, and how we draw on it throughout our lives.

#TheExtraordinaryLifeOfSamHell #RobertDugoni

Great story - unique angle, but universal experience of bullying for being different. Sam Hill is born with ocular albinism-a condition which makes his eyes red. Since it is 1957, science, let alone social acceptance have very little that is understood about this. However, Sam's mother Madeline refers to him as extraordinary - and keeps up this refrain his entire life. Sam grows up in a loving home in Burlingame, CA. His father Max is a pharmacist and Madeline is a model housewife and mother, devoting any extra time to her parish Our Lady of Mercy and her rosary beads. Her belief is that Sam's condition is God's will. And much of what happens in Sam's life is her (strong) will. She enrolls him in the Catholic school, employing some show more strongarm tactics (and lots of prayers - 'for righteousness') when she takes on Sr. Beatrice who does not want to admit him because of his appearance. Sam spends 8 years there, bullied by her and the other kids, the worst offender being David Bateman who borders on a sociopath. Sam is referred to as "Devil Boy" - and 'Sam Hell' in high school. In first grade, he meets Ernie Cantwell - the school's only black child, and the two outcasts become friends. In 6th grade, this becomes a trio including Michaela (Mickie) Kennedy, an outspoken tomboy who doesn't back down from challenges. Though bullying continues, Sam has some shining moments of David's expulsion, being the chosen reader for school mass, and being an 8th grade graduation speaker. He and Ernie go on to a Catholic boys' high school where Ernie shines in sports - garnering prestigious scholarships by senior year, and Sam excels on the school and hometown paper, writing about Ernie's accomplishments. Mickie goes to public school, but remains a fast friend. Typical coming of age stories unfold: prom, driver's license, loss of virginity, drunken exploits, but friendship and Sam's mother's faith in him (and God/Mary) are ever-constant. The story alternates between past and present (1989-99). Sam and Mickie have become ophthalmologists and share a practice; Ernie played professional football and is now on the cutting edge of computer technology. And David Bateman returns as a corrupt cop and possible child abuser - his daughter is Sam's patient. Sam has to face the quandary of protecting Daniela or exposing Bateman and Bateman employs his old intimidation and physical harm/threat tactics. Sam is also navigating an unhealthy romantic relationship with Eva and the aging of his beloved parents. To avoid spoilers, I'll just sum up that Sam's life is extraordinary in many ways - from how it unfolds, to some historical events, but mostly because of his moral compass and the unwavering love of his parents (and faith of his mother). Heartwarming, tear-jerking and so authentic to the Baby Boomer Catholic experience, but just a tad long/slow in getting to the desired outcome. show less

I wanted to believe God had a plan for me when David Bateman hit me in the face with a rubber ball on the schoolyard playground and placed us on a cataclysmic course ultimately leading to his death. I wanted to believe God sent Ernie Cantwell from,Detroitm Michigan, the only African American child in my class, to be the friend I so desperately needed. I wanted to believe it had been God's design that Mickie Kennedy would storm into my life in the sixth grade like a Midwest tornado, uprooting every precept I'd been taught about the roles of boys and girls and toppling the catholic ideology my mother and the nuns at Our Lady of Mercy spoon-fed us as a remedy for every personal and societal ailment.

Historical fiction coming of age story set in northern California in the 1960’s-1990’s that follows the life of Samuel Hill, unfortunately nicknamed Sam Hell, as he deals with ostracism and bullying due to a condition that causes his eyes to appear red in color (scientifically known as ocular albinism). He enrolls in Catholic school through the efforts of his mother, where he had initially been denied admission by the sister in charge. He forms close friendships with two other outsiders. Beset by tragedies, he struggles with his faith, until he leaves home, joins a charitable organization, travels widely, and gains insight into what is truly important. The plot follows the major milestones in his life. Themes include love, show more forgiveness, acceptance, sight/insight, and the search for a meaningful life.

I found this book an impressive work. The characters were extremely well-crafted. Even though the book is written in first person from Sam’s point of view, the other characters, Sam’s friends, family, and antagonists, came across equally well. I cared about these characters. The storyline was infused with dramatic tension through a series of conflicts and resolutions. The interactions among the characters are almost guaranteed to evoke a gamut of emotional responses in the reader. Told in seven sections comprised of extremely short chapters, it shifts between Sam’s present and his past.

Some of us wear our differences externally, and some of us internally, but anyone that has ever felt different, eccentric, odd, unusual, atypical (insert your adjective of choice) will likely have no difficulty relating to Sam Hill. I found it a hopeful and inspirational journey of self-discovery. Highly recommended. show less

4+. Okay, I admit it, I am now officially a marshmallow. This book about a young boy, born with red eyes, due to ocular albanism really got to me. First, I could relate greatly to his experiences in Catholic school, been there done that. Some good sisters, some who should never have been let near small children. Sam, is called names, bullied but he does have wonderful, loving parents, and then a black boy enters the school. The two outcasts become fast friends. Then a little later a girl, who is seemingly not afraid of anything, a maverick, outspoken, who becomes the third in their group.

This was such a special read for me, and from an author who usually writes a very good mystery series. We follow these young people as they grow, see show more the kind of people they turn out to be. How their lives turn out and how the wethered the circumstances of their early lives. Such a touching book, one where you embrace the characters, want only good things for them. There is also humor, sadness, grief and an unbelievable friendship.

The end was a bit overdone, well maybe more than a bit, actually somewhat mushy. I was already sold on the book though, the journey these characters travel to find a fulfilling life. So, the ending didn't derail my opinion of the book, and I was actually a little teary eyed. Like I said, I'm now officially a marshmallow.

ARC from Netgalley. show less

I'm not sure how I heard about this book. It was published in 2018 but the book where I make note of reviews that I like the sound of for that year doesn't have a listing for this book. Perhaps one of the blogs or emails about books that I read recommended it; regardless it was a great recommendation.

Samuel Hill was born with a rare opthamological condition called ocular albinism which causes the iris of the eye to be a red colour. Otherwise he was a healthy baby and grew up to be a healthy man. His condition though caused him to be the focus of bullying and discrimination especially when he was young. His parents, devout Catholics, were determined he should be enrolled in Catholic schools. However, the principal of the local show more elementary school, Our Lady of Mercy, declined his enrolment for Grade I. Sam's mother did not take that lying down and after TV publicity about the discrimination Sam was admitted. One classmate in particular, David Bateman, tormented him. Sam was often referred to as Devil Boy and he was shunned by all the other students. Until Ernie Cantwell, a black kid whose parents moved from Detroit after the school year started, sat down beside him at lunch time. Ernie stuck out as much as Sam and the two were united by their differences. When David Bateman's unprovoked assault on Sam which resulted in a trip to emergency for Sam became known by the OLM priest David was expelled from school and was finally out of Sam's life. Five years later a third person joined the group and they would remain good friends for the rest of their lives. Michaela Kennedy, called Mickie, was a tomboy, impulsive, fiercely independent and loyal to their friends. She was also talented in sports, especially the sports that boys played. When Mickie was in your corner you didn't need anyone else. Even after Ernie and Sam went to an all boys high school and Mickie returned to public school the three spent lots of time together. Ernie shone in high school due to his athletic prowess and Sam developed as a journalist for the school newspaper and the local daily. He covered high school sports and made Ernie a household name which drew him to the attention of scouts from many colleges. Ernie went on to have a career in the NFL. Sam was accepted to Stanford University with a full scholarship but on the night he graduated from high school his father had a massive stroke from which he never fully recovered. Mr. Hill was a pharmacist and owned an independent drug store that had supported the family but didn't make them rich. Sam decided that the store had to continue if badly needed income for his mother and father was to be provided. He postponed his admission to college and managed the drug store for a year. After that hiccup in his schooling he returned and became an opthamologist. It was in this capacity that he came across David Bateman again. Bateman's daughter was brought into Sam's office with a detached retina. Supposedly it had happened as the result of a fall from her bicycle but Sam thought there was another cause, like a blow to her head from her father. Bateman was now a cop and he felt he was immune from prosecution. When he learned he wasn't he reacted in a violent outburst that shook Sam's life.

Although this book depicts some horrific abuse it is ultimately a hopeful story. It is also a story about how important a job being a parent is. show less