Strange Sally Diamond

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An outstanding achievement which transforms the dark psychological thriller map with both bravura and delicacy. When her psychiatrist adoptive dad, Tom, said she wasn't autistic, I then wondered what tragic event(s) happened to her as a youngster for her to do and say the things she does that blow the reader's mind? I paired my reading with the incredible audio narration by Jessica Regan, Stephen Hogan and Jessica Lyman which truly enhanced my experience. The book started with a bang (literally the opening paragraphs made me chortle) but I failed to connect with Sally (lack of showing vs telling in this case) and I found the writing too basic and cheesy to carry this kind of plot.

Book review: Liz Nugent hits her stride with fifth novel Book review: Liz Nugent hits her stride with fifth novel

Sally Diamond herself had some socially awkward ways and moments that were humorous, but the reasons behind those moments were pretty difficult to read.

But as Sally discovers WHY she “IS AS SHE IS” and steps out into the World for the first time, at age 44, she will actually come into her own despite the traumatic events of her earliest years, AND the man on the other side of the World who knows her as “Mary”. Kind of how Sally realized at the end that her therapist Tina had been wrong about everything- “I was right to trust nobody. One of the most original, and spine-tingling books I’ve read in ages, Liz Nugent’s Strange Sally Diamond draws you in to the close, claustrophobic world of rural Ireland and the life of an emotionally withdrawn woman whose dark, hidden past is coming back to haunt her.

Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent | Goodreads

One of the most original, and spine-tingling books I’ve read in ages, Liz Nugent’s Strange Sally Diamond draws you in to the close, claustrophobic world of rural Ireland and the life of an emotionally withdrawn woman whose dark, hidden past is coming back to haunt her. But then the day arrives and when Sally finds her father has stopped breathing- the reclusive and “Socially Deficient” Strange Sally Diamond does just that-attracting the attention of an entire town! Would you be able to recommend any other good books about or with neurodivergent characters (any age)?

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. Sally Diamond has been raised in a rural farmhouse with overprotective parents and little socialisation. I really enjoy Liz Nugent novels and was thrilled to be given early access to her latest book as I just knew I wouldn’t be disappointed.

Strange Sally Diamond: A BBC Between the Covers Book Club Strange Sally Diamond: A BBC Between the Covers Book Club

She lives in Dublin and has won four Irish Book Awards, as well as the James Joyce Medal for Literature. Over the last few years, I've become increasingly aware of and exasperated by books where neurodivergence is not acknowledged-- instead there is a "quirky" character, used for comedic value, allowed to have social struggles without really confronting the spectre of mental health. I loved the alternating narrators as the book progressed, and was fascinated by the gradual revelations. Liz Nugent creates the most brilliantly complex, intricate characters and as always, I found myself completely absorbed in the storyline and had to continue reading until I finished the book. Although I wasn’t satisfied with the conclusion, this book is probably my favourite thriller of this year.She does watch television, but has no real-life experience to teach her that there should be a funeral and that backyard cremation isn’t acceptable.