The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell is a novel by Robert Dugoni that follows the life of Sam Hill, a boy born with ocular albinism, a rare condition that gives him red eyes and impaired vision. Growing up in the 1960s in California, Sam faces discrimination and bullying because of his appearance. However, his strong-willed mother and supportive father encourage him to pursue his dreams, including playing basketball.

As Sam grows up, he struggles with his faith and the unfairness of life. He falls in love with a girl named Mickie, but their relationship is complicated by their different backgrounds and beliefs. Meanwhile, Sam’s father battles cancer, and he must come to terms with the mortality of his loved ones.

In the end, Sam learns valuable lessons about forgiveness, acceptance, and hope. He realizes that life is full of challenges and heartaches, but it’s also full of beauty and joy. The novel explores themes of friendship, family, love, and identity in the face of adversity.

• The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell

• A Novel
• By: Robert Dugoni
• Narrated by: Robert Dugoni

According to Booklist, the coming-of-age story by The Wall Street Journal and New York Times best-selling author Robert Dugoni is “a novel that, if it doesn’t quite cut through John Irving’s territory, then does it.” it will be near the border for sure.”

Sam Hill has always seen the world in a different light. Born with red pupils, he was referred to by his classmates as “Devil Boy” or Sam “Hell”; “God’s Will” was what his mother called albinism in his eyes. Her words offered little comfort, but Sam persisted, buoyed by the pious faith of his mother, the practical wisdom of his father, and his two other misguided friends.

Sam believes it was God who sent Ernie Cantwell, the only African-American kid in his class, to be the friend he desperately needed. And it was God’s idea for Mickie Kennedy to storm 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.

I enjoyed the narrator/authors voice and the connection to the characters. From beginning to the end I couldn’t wait to hear the rest. The characters are well formed and believable. Worth every minute of my time.

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