Book Review - Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent
Having seen 'Sally Strange Diamond' by Liz Nugent on the Irish bestselling lists and every other bookstagram post, I thought it was about time I got around to seeing what all the fuss was about. I felt like I was going to be the last person in Ireland to read this.
'Put me out with the bins,' he said, regularly. 'When I die, put me out with the bins. I'll be dead, so I won't know any different. You'll be crying your eyes out,' and he would laugh and I'd laugh too because we both knew that I wouldn't be crying my eyes out. I never cry.
So begins the book, where Sally Diamond takes these instructions literally and indeed tries to incinerate her oul da after he dies. She doesn't see what the fuss is about, as she was just following his wishes. This results in a lot of headlines, and a light is shone on Sally's past, resulting in a media frenzy.
Childhood
Sally's deceased father has left letters, so we begin to learn about her life up until she was seven years old. However, someone else is also getting in touch, indicating they know even more about her childhood. Who are they, and are they a threat to Sally?
This is a proper page-turner, disturbing but difficult to put down. I haven't read any other Liz Nugent books but I will certainly be trying others, because with troubled characters, lots of twists and dark themes, and really clever storytelling - what's not to like!
Narrators
As usual when I try to review mystery thrillers, it's difficult to say anything about it, and best to approach it without any knowledge. Sally is one of two narrators, and she's a bit odd, mysterious even, but her story is compelling and she pulls you along. The other narrator I won't say too much about, except that they are a bit more self-serving, and on a different trajectory, giving us another viewpoint.
I enjoyed the black humour in the story, a lot of which comes from Sally believing what people say, and her emotional disconnection from the events and people around her. Her story arc and development are one of the more satisfying aspects of the book. There's definitely something of the 'Eleanor Oliphant' about her, Sally is a compelling narrator who has a unique voice - but unlike that book, this this is no feel-good 'Up lit.' I felt myself rooting for her but Liz Nugent is good at tempering your expectations.
I have to say that I found the ‘other’ narrator equally fascinating. Their story is quite complex, and I found myself just as immersed in their story line. It also went to places I wasn’t expecting.
Writing
I enjoyed how both narrators story’s run parallel to each other. It allows you to switch between the voices, and you never get bored with them. The twists come at just the right time, and I felt it was a perfectly paced book, building to what for me was a cracking ending. I think I read the last 200 pages in one go, rare for me.
I stayed away from detailed reviews but I did see some general dissatisfaction about the ending. For me, it was in keeping with the rest of the book, quite dark, so I was happy with it. Can we ever truly heal, and are some people just so damaged that they are beyond repair? Liz Nugent does a great job of exploring some dark themes, and it would make for a cracking book club discussion.
Strange Sally Diamond Summary
I found Strange Sally Diamond to be an addictive read, a dark thriller with believable twists and strong, complex characters. The writing is sharp and the story clever, and there’s a great pace to it. It's about resilience and discovering your identity and finding your place in the world, but also a reminder that maybe not everyone can be saved. Also a word of warning that if you are sensitive to themes of abuse, this one isn’t for you.
384 pages, Hardcover
Published March 2, 2023 by Sandycove
It’s great to see so many dark thrillers by Irish writers at the moment - if you liked this, you’ll most likely also enjoy releases from Catherine Ryan Howard
Here’s the first five minutes on audiobook to see if it takes your fancy. But what a start to a book!