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A review by somethingarosie
Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent
4.0
Delving into dark and complex themes of abuse, manipulation and generational trauma, Strange Sally Diamond is unpredictable at every turn. With elements of mystery, suspense and psychological intrigue, this book is one you will be unable to put down, even when it churns your stomach.
Sally Diamond’s story is one of sadness, hope, and heartache. The depravity of some of the characters within this is quite astonishing. There is little I can say without giving major spoilers, but be prepared to spend the entire book filled with anticipation and dread.
The dual POVs and timelines add to the adrenaline and whirlwind of emotions that one experiences when reading this book. The reader often knows more than the characters, meaning the reader is on tender hooks constantly.
Where this book loses a star is in its ending. Everything ties together very neatly, with little ambiguity - which I don’t think fits with the sense of unease that permeates the rest of the book. Similarly, the epilogue, while allowing the book to end on somewhat of a hopeful note and symbolises the breaking of cyclical generation trauma, felt like an abrupt change in mood, from the suffocating feeling of despair that is palpable throughout the rest of the novel. The transition between the hopeless ending and optimistic epilogue could have been more developed, to dissuade the feeling of whip-lash while reading.
Nonetheless, highly recommend!
Thank you Penguin Ireland for sending me a proof copy to read!
4⭐️
Sally Diamond’s story is one of sadness, hope, and heartache. The depravity of some of the characters within this is quite astonishing. There is little I can say without giving major spoilers, but be prepared to spend the entire book filled with anticipation and dread.
The dual POVs and timelines add to the adrenaline and whirlwind of emotions that one experiences when reading this book. The reader often knows more than the characters, meaning the reader is on tender hooks constantly.
Where this book loses a star is in its ending. Everything ties together very neatly, with little ambiguity - which I don’t think fits with the sense of unease that permeates the rest of the book. Similarly, the epilogue, while allowing the book to end on somewhat of a hopeful note and symbolises the breaking of cyclical generation trauma, felt like an abrupt change in mood, from the suffocating feeling of despair that is palpable throughout the rest of the novel. The transition between the hopeless ending and optimistic epilogue could have been more developed, to dissuade the feeling of whip-lash while reading.
Nonetheless, highly recommend!
Thank you Penguin Ireland for sending me a proof copy to read!
4⭐️