The Extraordinary Life Of Sam Hell by Robert Dugoni

 

When Sam Hill is born, there is a hush in the delivery room.  He has ocular albinism which means his eyes are bright red.  Once assured that it wouldn't affect his eyesight, his parents take him home determined to help him face any difficulties he may encounter.

Those difficulties aren't long in coming.  Other children are afraid of him and their parents don't seem much better.  There aren't play dates for Sam.  When the local Catholic elementary school refuses Sam admission because it might upset the other children, Sam's mother springs into action.  She refuses to be intimidated and Sam is admitted.  

The other children call Sam 'devil boy' and he is relentlessly bullied.  But he does make two friends.  Ernie Cantwell is the only African American in the school and he gets the same isolation as Sam, except in sports.  Mickie Kennedy is the daughter of rich parents, but rich parents that ignore her to live their own lives.  She is labeled young as promiscuous and shunned by the other girls..  But the trio forms a friendship that lasts into adulthood.  As an adult, Sam is accepted but can he accept himself?

For some reason, I put off reading this book.  So many times, books with tons of hype disappoint when reading.  But this novel lived up to its praise.   Sam is such a warm, bighearted child and man that it is an amazing privilege to read his story.  It reminded me of a Pat Conroy novel as the essential goodness of humans even in challenging circumstances shone through.  This one is definitely a top read for me and is recommended for anyone.