If you remember the TV show “TheWonder Years” you have a good idea of the narrative voice of Robert Dugoni’s book, The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell. The story is told through memories of the protagonist detailing the years of torture he endured as a child. The reason for his bullying and mistreatment even by adults is unique indeed. We find that Sam was born with a rare eye condition known as ocular albinism which causes the eye to appear to be red in color. Called “Devil Boy” and treated as a pariah, Sam was a lonely, scared little boy. His mother, his champion, was convinced that her son was born to live an extraordinary life and her total devotion carried him through many difficult times. When teased and called ugly names his mother would lovingly tell him, “Our skin, our hair, and our eyes are simply the shell that surrounds our soul, and our soul is who we are. What counts is on the inside.” Sam did not, however, really believe this or even accept himself or his worth for most of his life. Sam always felt he was unloveable and unworthy of pride in himself. He went from failed relationship to failed relationship even though his two lifelong friends tried to tell him he could and should stand up for himself. He eventually decided to leave his depressing life choosing instead to dedicate himself to helping others working as an eye surgeon with a group like Doctors Without Borders. It was on one of these tours that Sam met a young orphan with the same eye condition as his own who was being treated as a outcast just as he had been. Realizing he could change this child’s life, Sam removed his brown contacts and showed the little boy that he was not alone and that he could be extraordinary too. In the end Sam accepted that each of us has the ability to make our lives extraordinary even if we may not all be the first man on the moon or a famous personality. We all are extraordinary when we reflect back over our days and remember the intimate moments that mark not our calendars but our hearts. This was a sweet, heartwarming book that offered a powerful lesson. Really good uplifting read.
