by: Robert Dugoni
Goodreads description:
Sam Hill always saw the world through different eyes. Born with red pupils, he was called “Devil Boy” or Sam “Hell” 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.
Helen says: 🤓🤓🤓 3/4
I thoroughly enjoyed every book we read this month. I listened to The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell on a camp drop-off road trip. It was delightfully narrated by the author. I would describe it as a coming of age, feel good story of a man overcoming obstacles to achieve great things. It was somewhat formulaic, but there were a few unexpected turns of events that caught me off guard. It was written very matter of factly, and it didn’t require exerting extra mental energy to enjoy it. I suggest listening on audible on the way to your next vacation. This story will stick with me unlike a lot of our more vapid reads.
Holly says: 🤓🤓🤓🤓
I really, really liked this book! I had heard about it quite a while ago, and it was “on my list”, but I just never quite got around to it until it was chosen by my book club hostess – thanks, Jen! I loved Sam Hell, and his life was pretty extraordinary, and his mother, Maddy, in her pursuit for all that is best for her only son, was very extraordinary. I was not familiar with ocular albinism (look it up), so I consulted the internet – one of my favorite past times is consulting the internet to read about things of which I know nothing. I read that ocular albinism is an “x-linked recessive pattern gene abnormality” inherited from the mother. I wonder if Maddy knew this and made her herculean efforts to protect and encourage her son as long as she was able. Anyway, this is a great story, and I enjoyed it from beginning to end.
Helen and Holly Hit the Books 