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ronsrib 's review for:
Strange Sally Diamond
by Liz Nugent
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.