Strange Sally Diamond

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This is an odd comment to make about this book, but I was surprised at how funny Sally’s inner thoughts were, and the lightness this brought to a very otherwise dark book. Because she had survived such a traumatic childhood, many parts of her memory and social development were completely lost, so her inner dialogue is completely unguarded, thinking things that would bring other people shame, but she doesn’t experience that emotion. These observations of hers added some much-needed respites from the horror of the plotline. This exchange below is when Sally is told by a relative that her husband of forty years is dying of cancer: I hung up shortly after we had done the goodbye thing that annoys me: 'Goodbye,' 'Bye,' 'Goodbye,' 'See you later,' 'Yes, goodbye,' 'Bye, then.' So tedious. Elizabeth wrote: "This was a really great review. I read part of it before I read the book and wish I had read the whole review, so I would have read the book more thoughtfully. Spot on." I really enjoyed Sally's perspective, cared for her, wanted to discover her past and found humour in her inner commentary:

Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent | Goodreads Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent | Goodreads

But this is not that kind of book at all. Nugent engages fiercely with Sally's mental illness. In fact, understanding it, and the trauma it grew out of, is at the centre of this story.Jennifer wrote: "Your review has me excited to read this. I know what you mean with neurodivergence in books. Eleanor Oliphant is one of my all time favorite novels whereas I was so angry with how Mollie is portray..."

Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent - Penguin Books New Zealand Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent - Penguin Books New Zealand

Despite this, however, I actually think Sally is only the second most interesting character in this book. The other is less likable, sometimes intensely unlikable, but far more complex. Nugent has explored two different forms of trauma and abuse here; Sally's was the more straightforward of the two.I wanted to ask her how often they had sex, if she enjoyed it, if she was going to have him cremated, if I was expected to go to the funeral, but I didn’t.