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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Dark, Intense, Shocking.
This is the first book by Liz Nugent that I've read. I had seen this book all over booksta so I was excited to read it but I had a fair idea it wasn't my type of book. After reading it I can confirm it wasn't my type of book unfortunately but it was a shocking read that I would never have picked out for myself.
God me, it was begging on disturbing but I can very much see why it was a popular book. It was very well written, it contains an Easter egg or two in relation to Irish writers and the greats were also fascinating.
It probably wouldn't encourage me to read more by the author but I can see there being a very large audience for books like this one.
It was a 4 star read for me and was picked for our work bookclub. I bought my signed copy in Eason in Dungarvan.
This is the first book by Liz Nugent that I've read. I had seen this book all over booksta so I was excited to read it but I had a fair idea it wasn't my type of book. After reading it I can confirm it wasn't my type of book unfortunately but it was a shocking read that I would never have picked out for myself.
God me, it was begging on disturbing but I can very much see why it was a popular book. It was very well written, it contains an Easter egg or two in relation to Irish writers and the greats were also fascinating.
It probably wouldn't encourage me to read more by the author but I can see there being a very large audience for books like this one.
It was a 4 star read for me and was picked for our work bookclub. I bought my signed copy in Eason in Dungarvan.
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
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
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was dark, twisted, tense and at times, humorous. I absolutely loved Sally and all of her quirks and trauma. This showed a real side of what trauma can do to someone and how they can overcome it.
Sally Diamond is a character that will stick with me for a long time. And I only hope she got the best in the end.
Sally Diamond is a character that will stick with me for a long time. And I only hope she got the best in the end.
dark
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
challenging
dark
emotional
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
As I was reading through this book, I kept thinking "This might be my first 5 star read of the year." Then...the ending.
It is a dark and disturbing read and delves deep into the profound and lasting impact of childhood trauma, making for an engrossing, albeit unsettling, experience. I'm giving it 4 stars because, despite a somewhat disappointing ending, I was utterly captivated by about 80% of the book.
The novel excels in its portrayal of Sally's mental illness, which is clearly a direct consequence of the horrific events she endured. Nugent masterfully illustrates how trauma has shaped Sally's every interaction and perception, manifesting in her profound social awkwardness, her literal interpretations of language, and her difficulty with emotional understanding. Her journey into therapy is particularly well-written, demonstrating the painful process of confronting buried memories and re-learning how to function in the world. We see Sally slowly, tentatively, begin to unpack years of psychological damage, and it's a testament to Nugent's skill that we root for her despite her often challenging behavior.
However, the final chapters felt like a disservice to all the careful character development. After witnessing Sally's progress and her gradual grasp of the nuances of human connection, the ending felt rushed and, frankly, a little unbelievable. It's as if all the hard-won breakthroughs simply crumbled away, leaving a sense of frustration rather than resolution. Despite this falter at the finish line, Strange Sally Diamond is a powerful and unsettling exploration of the human mind under extreme duress.
It is a dark and disturbing read and delves deep into the profound and lasting impact of childhood trauma, making for an engrossing, albeit unsettling, experience. I'm giving it 4 stars because, despite a somewhat disappointing ending, I was utterly captivated by about 80% of the book.
The novel excels in its portrayal of Sally's mental illness, which is clearly a direct consequence of the horrific events she endured. Nugent masterfully illustrates how trauma has shaped Sally's every interaction and perception, manifesting in her profound social awkwardness, her literal interpretations of language, and her difficulty with emotional understanding. Her journey into therapy is particularly well-written, demonstrating the painful process of confronting buried memories and re-learning how to function in the world. We see Sally slowly, tentatively, begin to unpack years of psychological damage, and it's a testament to Nugent's skill that we root for her despite her often challenging behavior.
However, the final chapters felt like a disservice to all the careful character development. After witnessing Sally's progress and her gradual grasp of the nuances of human connection, the ending felt rushed and, frankly, a little unbelievable. It's as if all the hard-won breakthroughs simply crumbled away, leaving a sense of frustration rather than resolution. Despite this falter at the finish line, Strange Sally Diamond is a powerful and unsettling exploration of the human mind under extreme duress.
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Literally about any trigger you can think of was in this book. One of the darkest books I’ve read in a while.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault
Moderate: Car accident
Minor: Suicide, Terminal illness