Joyce’s Reviews > The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell > Status Update

Charlotte’s suggested edits also struck a chord with me and helped me get out of the way of the story so that the writer could edit, write, and rewrite the novel as never before, shaping and rounding it into a true journey.

I found that what he wanted was no different than what I wanted—I think, what we all want.

Sam wanted to believe. That God did have plan for him and his life, that hardships as child would all help mold for him extraordinary life. that prayers had purpose, that God truly is benevolent, despite so many often being malevolent. That God’s will meant something, not just mother’s way of dismissing curious son.

I’ve since come to learn that a first draft is written for the writer and should never be shared with anyone.

From Acknowledgments …

My mother was one to rock the boat, and she rocked the boat mightily when it came to my brother.

My father was not one to rock the boat. He accepted my brother as he was, never expecting that he’d be anything more or less than who he is, just as he accepted each of us.

We realize it is in those quiet moments that each of us has the ability to make our lives extraordinary.

“Here’s to life,” I said. “And the three people in mine who helped to make it extraordinary.“

“The miracle of Lourdes is acceptance, Sam. I asked God to help you to understand and to accept yourself.”

I was submerged. Surfacing, I felt the strange warmth my father had spoken of. It radiated from the center of my chest down each limb. The Italian volunteer, who had undoubtedly witnessed thousands of similar expressions, smiled knowingly at me, then he bent close to my ear and, speaking quietly, as if sharing a secret, he said, “Spirito Santo. Spirito Santo.”

Basilica of Immaculate Conception, white-and-gold Gothic cathedral with multiple spires and elaborate carvings. At its base, on banks of river Gave’s flowing bluish-green waters, dozens of candles flickered beside natural cave ... Just above and to right of spot where spring emerged was cleft in stone. In it was statue of Blessed Mother to mark where Bernadette saw apparition

three gold-and-white steeples of the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary loomed just beyond a huge square to welcome the pilgrims.