This was an interesting read and the author gives you enough twists in Sam's life story that you are surprised by his life journey. My only comment that made me give it less than 5 stars is that the author felt the need to tie up all the lose ends. I wasn't left wondering or contemplating where Sam's life would go from here.

So glad I read this book. It is a story of family, love, relationships and even your belief in God. It brought back memories for me attending catholic school and the trials & tribulations you endure as a child. You'll love this book and won't be able to put it down.

Sam Hill (“Hell”) reminds me of Own Meany—endearing while learning life’s hardships with quiet, admirable tenacity. This coming of age story is rather predictable but an uplifting read about friendship as a shield to life’s bullies.

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 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.

Great

Best book we have read so far for book club!

This was a beautiful read. I enjoyed the story telling; the main characters story; as well as the past and present chapter changes that both were continually engaging. It was from the main characters POV so not all the characters are as developed as I enjoy in books. It had a bit of child like hero feel to it from an unlikely hero- and it worked. The ending was a bit too tied up for my liking but it was still lovely and sweet and an excellent January/new year/new beginnings read.

This was one of my favorite books to read and was captivating from the beginning. I laughed and cried throughout the story. It was excellent!

Loved it. I thought there was a lot wrapped up in last 100 pages that I would have liked more developed.