Review of STRANGE SALLY DIAMOND by Liz Nugent (New Release)

 4 Stars

This novel brought to mind Room, The Maid, and Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine. 

For years, Sally Diamond was told by her adoptive father, a psychiatrist, that she is emotionally disconnected and socially deficient.  Certainly she finds people confusing and conversation awkward because she can’t read social cues.  In fact, she often pretends to be deaf so she doesn’t have to interact with others.  When she is 42, her father dies and she is forced to connect with the outside world.  After having lived in virtual isolation outside a small Irish village, she faces quite an adjustment. 

Sally has always found it strange that she doesn’t remember anything from her childhood before the age of 7 when she was adopted.  However, in letters left to her by her father, she learns that she and her biological mother experienced unimaginable trauma.  Just as Sally sets out to learn more about her past, she receives a parcel from someone in New Zealand who calls her Mary.

The book is narrated from two perspectives:  Sally in the present and a boy named Peter in the past.  Peter, who has been told he suffers from “necrotic hominoid contagion,” is raised by his father who keeps a woman in captivity in a room adjacent to Peter’s.  It is obvious that there must be a link between Sally and Peter so much of the interest is in how their stories will merge.  Of course, though some parts of the plot are predictable, there are some unexpected twists.

There is a lot of serious and sensitive subject matter:  pedophilia, abduction, imprisonment, sexual and physical abuse, emotional manipulation, and misogyny.  On the other hand there is hope.  Sally finds a supportive group of people who help her navigate through her new world. 

And there is even humour.  Sally is naïve and very literal so her reactions and blunt, unfiltered comments are funny.  The book opens with Sally trying to incinerate her father’s body because he joked that she should put him out with the trash when he died.  When someone learns of the death and wonders whether to call the police or a doctor, Sally says, “’It’s too late for a doctor, he’s dead’” and doesn’t think authorities need to be notified because “’it’s none of their business.’”  When the vicar invites her to attend church, she responds with “’No, . . . it’s very boring.’”  And she asks very personal questions of people. 

Sally is an endearing character.  Though quirky and awkward, she is likeable.  It is impossible not to cheer her on as she works on a number of issues such as trust and anger management; at one point she mentions having to work on “touch, empathy, patience, diplomacy, self-control, and so on.”  She has a lot of hurdles to overcome but she conquers her fears. 

The novel looks at the dark side of human nature.  Some characters seem truly evil but the author does show that there are reasons for their behaviour.  For example, we know little about Peter’s father but there are definite hints at the source of his hatred of women.  This portrayal of complex characters is what I appreciated.  Sally, for instance, has her rages which can lead to violence, but it is clear that she is vulnerable. 

In its examination of intergenerational trauma, the book questions whether severely damaged people can be made healthy.  Is some harm irreparable?  There are several characters who have been traumatized by events and they all react differently.  Does evil just perpetuate evil?  Can goodness conquer the darkness that exists in all of us to some extent? 

For me, this was an engrossing read with never a dull moment.  Though not a thriller, there is an intense sense of unease throughout.  If you like dark and disturbing psychological suspense, this is the book for you.  The ending, though open-ended, is perfect, and certainly gives the reader food for thought.

Note:  I received an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley.