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A review by richardrbecker
The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell by Robert Dugoni
inspiring
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell is an extraordinary novel by Robert Dugoni. The only caveat is that Dugoni sometimes likes life to be wrapped up too neatly by the end. There is nothing wrong with that, really. It's a matter of personal opinion.
Dugoni wins in capturing the life of someone with a rare condition, ocular albinism, and how it compounds his social interactions in something more than a coming-of-age story. Like most children with visible disorders or impairments, Sam Hill is bullied until he finds comfort in the company of other misfit friends, who enjoy varying levels of acceptance from their peers.
Such stories always provide an excellent opportunity to explore the power of friendships, life lessons from the seemingly random experiences of youth, and (most importantly) the idea that some of our worst experiences in life often lead to our most significant accomplishments (unless we allow ourselves to drown in those woes as antagonists often do). And since Dugoni tells the story as an adult looking back on his childhood instead of real-time, he capitalizes on the character's ability to share or omit details to create and release tension for the reader at will. He does a splendid job of it right up to the last five or ten percent of the book, where it becomes a bit more of an extended epilogue — the balloon of tension fully released a little too soon.
The story is especially rich in its ability to remind us that we all can make our lives extraordinary. And that exceptional lives aren't necessarily measured by incredible feats as much as moments of personal achievement — getting our driver's license, attending a prom, graduating from high school, getting a job, making a marriage proposal, helping family members, enjoying the company of friends, etc. I do love this about the book because Dugoni is spot on with his premise: the little things make our lives meaningful. Drink them up. And by drinking up the moments he shares with us through Sam Hill, Dugoni might help you appreciate your own extraordinary life.
Dugoni wins in capturing the life of someone with a rare condition, ocular albinism, and how it compounds his social interactions in something more than a coming-of-age story. Like most children with visible disorders or impairments, Sam Hill is bullied until he finds comfort in the company of other misfit friends, who enjoy varying levels of acceptance from their peers.
Such stories always provide an excellent opportunity to explore the power of friendships, life lessons from the seemingly random experiences of youth, and (most importantly) the idea that some of our worst experiences in life often lead to our most significant accomplishments (unless we allow ourselves to drown in those woes as antagonists often do). And since Dugoni tells the story as an adult looking back on his childhood instead of real-time, he capitalizes on the character's ability to share or omit details to create and release tension for the reader at will. He does a splendid job of it right up to the last five or ten percent of the book, where it becomes a bit more of an extended epilogue — the balloon of tension fully released a little too soon.
The story is especially rich in its ability to remind us that we all can make our lives extraordinary. And that exceptional lives aren't necessarily measured by incredible feats as much as moments of personal achievement — getting our driver's license, attending a prom, graduating from high school, getting a job, making a marriage proposal, helping family members, enjoying the company of friends, etc. I do love this about the book because Dugoni is spot on with his premise: the little things make our lives meaningful. Drink them up. And by drinking up the moments he shares with us through Sam Hill, Dugoni might help you appreciate your own extraordinary life.