The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell by Robert Dugoni
Rating: 4
Coming of Age Fiction
I had never heard of a condition called ocular albinism, but that is what the protagonist of this book was born with. His eyes appeared red, and so his classmates at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic School teased him, beat him up, and left him to sit by himself on the bleachers during lunch and recess. He was called Sam Hell and Devil Boy by the boys and girls at school.
Sam's mom always told him that it was God's plan for him to have red eyes and he would have an extraordinary life. Sam could not see that happening. Fortunately, Ernie Cantwell, the only African American child in his class became Sam's friend, or Sam would still be sitting on the bleachers. And another outcast, Michaela (Mickie) Kennedy, whose home life was such that she needed the support of another family - hung out at Sam's house quite a bit.
Sam does move on to become an ophthalmologist who does great things, and his friends Ernie and Mickie stay part of his life. The story moves back and forth between their childhood and their adulthood.
This book is a fast-moving and entertaining read, perfect for the beach or pool. It certainly won't win a literary prize, but if you like a story that follows a family over a long period of time, this one is for you.
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