Take a photo of a barcode or cover
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
While the story itself is awful, the writing was engaging and I was so drawn to how Sally was depicted. The ending was tough like most other reviewers mention, but given the nature of the story, it felt fitting as we weren’t left with clear closure. For that reason, I am glad for an epilogue, just wanted more of it. Overall, while I think I really enjoyed this read, the triggering parts of the book (check the warnings!) were tough.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Gaslighting
Moderate: Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Pregnancy
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was such a brilliant, layered exploration of trauma and how it manifests in different ways. Some survivors struggle with social interactions, some fight to break the cycle, and others, well… let’s just say they don’t. Sally was such a fascinating character—her blunt, literal nature made me love her, but as her past unraveled, I was livid at the horrors she endured. The author did an incredible job showing the effects of abuse, and I couldn’t put this one down.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Pedophilia
Moderate: Torture, Violence, Death of parent, Pregnancy
Minor: Rape, Sexual violence
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
What an incredible story. The main character is very complex and well written, and makes for a loving non-reliable narrator. It has one of the best first chapters I've read in a while, that made me think it was going to be a whacky story of a whacky woman. Then it got dark and very very gripping. Absolutely a page turner
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Kidnapping
Moderate: Mental illness
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Overall this was a very engaging read, and I enjoyed getting to know Sally. While I realize the book is named for her, I found myself wishing I could keep the peripheral characters straight better, simply because their characters were far less developed and it was easy to care less about who was who. That said, there was some interesting exploration of the themes, and while there was a dark turn for one storyline, others ended hopefully.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Kidnapping
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Kidnapping
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
One of the best crime thrillers I've read for a while, it was everything a crime thriller should be, compelling, Twisted, shocking, and absolutely gripping. Such a great read, you won't be able to put this book down. This book has an edge to it I've never come across before, it was fantastic. 5⭐
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Child abuse
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Excellent, heartbreaking, sad but beautiful book
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Suicide, Kidnapping, Car accident
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Kidnapping
Great book that taught me a lot about brain health and trauma.
challenging
dark
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Another five-star read. What a month!
Strange Sally Diamond was recommended to me by a friend. I ordered it, forgot about it, and read the synopsis, wondering what was in store. I couldn't read it fast enough, and while is was extremely disturbing, I found it well written with perfect pacing and complex character development. It's important to know that the themes in this book are much, much darker than the description indicates.
Sally is relatively unemotional after the loss of her father, (though she did like him), and she disposes of him, attempting a self-cremation. He did, after all, tell Sally to just "throw him out with the trash". Taking him literally, she tries, which garners attention from the public and begins the story.
<Spoiler> Strange Sally Diamond is horrifying, really. We learn what Sally endured as a child, being ultimately adopted by the researcher who tried to rehabilitate she and her mother. The abuse they both suffered for many years (her mother as a child) is stomach-churning and, at times, quite descriptive. What kept me reading was the deep examination of both Sally and her brother Peter as the story moved forward. How did abuse affect both of them, who did they become, and how did it affect how they interacted with the world? No topic or facet felt untouched, and at times I wanted to squirm away from the book.
Peter is a complex character who has redeeming qualities but ultimately, and unfortunately, continues the cycle of abuse. For instance, he morally separates himself from his father by saying that he would only kidnap women of age, and he would never force them to be with him intimately. His yearning for companionship persists despite having no guidance, but it is terrifying. I was interested in how his internal moral compass guided him, both witnessing his father's comments about women, and trying to heal in his later years. He was not successful. I couldn't believe he kept his father's prisoner captive after his father's death. I couldn't believe she was eventually willing to stay.
Some of the supporting characters were less interesting, but this was an easy 5/5 read for me. Wow. A deeply dark, upsetting, and thought-provoking read. Liz Nugent has my attention.
Strange Sally Diamond was recommended to me by a friend. I ordered it, forgot about it, and read the synopsis, wondering what was in store. I couldn't read it fast enough, and while is was extremely disturbing, I found it well written with perfect pacing and complex character development. It's important to know that the themes in this book are much, much darker than the description indicates.
Sally is relatively unemotional after the loss of her father, (though she did like him), and she disposes of him, attempting a self-cremation. He did, after all, tell Sally to just "throw him out with the trash". Taking him literally, she tries, which garners attention from the public and begins the story.
<Spoiler> Strange Sally Diamond is horrifying, really. We learn what Sally endured as a child, being ultimately adopted by the researcher who tried to rehabilitate she and her mother. The abuse they both suffered for many years (her mother as a child) is stomach-churning and, at times, quite descriptive. What kept me reading was the deep examination of both Sally and her brother Peter as the story moved forward. How did abuse affect both of them, who did they become, and how did it affect how they interacted with the world? No topic or facet felt untouched, and at times I wanted to squirm away from the book.
Peter is a complex character who has redeeming qualities but ultimately, and unfortunately, continues the cycle of abuse. For instance, he morally separates himself from his father by saying that he would only kidnap women of age, and he would never force them to be with him intimately. His yearning for companionship persists despite having no guidance, but it is terrifying. I was interested in how his internal moral compass guided him, both witnessing his father's comments about women, and trying to heal in his later years. He was not successful. I couldn't believe he kept his father's prisoner captive after his father's death. I couldn't believe she was eventually willing to stay.
Some of the supporting characters were less interesting, but this was an easy 5/5 read for me. Wow. A deeply dark, upsetting, and thought-provoking read. Liz Nugent has my attention.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence
Moderate: Suicide, Torture
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Pregnancy