Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent - full book discussion with complete spoilers

[Skeuomorph]

This thread is for people who have read Strange Sally Diamond and want to discuss it. There will be lots of spoils including those which will ruin the ending so please don’t read if you’re currently reading this book, or planning to.

***

I found this book through a thread here where is was recommended based on people who enjoyed Elinor Oliphant.

I did like EO but found it a little twee. The blurb for Sally Diamond sounded similar- ND adult female struggles to make sense of the world.

I wasn’t expecting what I got.

(loads of spoilers from here on in)

Actually really enjoyed the book and read it over a day- it really gripped me.

Christ it was depressing, though. Could even one person have had a happy ending? Even the poor ol’ piano took a battering.

Such a sad and tangled story and kept me guessing on what would happen next. When Mark turned up, I was sure he was Peter/Steve.

I did think the bit with the DNA was silly. Surely if a website had a DNA test to Amanda, they’d have to report it to the police given the case with her mother?

Bumping for the evening bookworms.

I’m glad I found a thread. I finished SSD this morning and I didn’t like the ending as it just made me feel soooo sad. As you said, couldn’t one of there have found happiness or peace? The Steve/Peter final chapter was really chilling but I suppose horribly realistic.
Before the final chapters I would have put it as favourite book of the year or very close, but I think I need her to have been OK - even her friends and Aunt Christine had checked out 😢
So I loved it in many ways but someone buy her a new piano at least!

I have read it and this was my review posted on Goodreads

Sally Diamond cannot understand why what she did was so strange. She was only doing what her father told her to do, to put him out with the rubbish when he died.

Now Sally is the centre of attention, not only from the hungry media and worried police, but also a sinister voice from a past she has no memory of. As she begins to discover the horrors of her childhood, recluse Sally steps into the world for the first time, making new friends, finding independence, and learning that people don't always mean what they say.

But when messages start arriving from a stranger who knows far more about her past than she knows herself, Sally's life will be thrown into chaos once again

There are very some strong characters here, with real depth to them, some of whom are quite horrific, so obviously the storyline is quite dark, shocking even, although it has to be said the writing is sharp and clever. Even though it’s dark, there is plenty of humour thanks to Sally’s inability to hold back her thoughts and feelings. It’s completely gripping for sure, and Sally Diamond will be hard to leave behind, such is the strength of her character.

This is a book that will take you through a whole gamut of emotions, it’ll make you gasp at times yet warm your heart too. In my opinion this is an author at the top of her game and she’s a must read writer for me. The writing flows and rises and falls as it twists and turns to an excellent ending. An outstanding read and I’ll never forget Sally.

This book is due to be released in March 2023

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin General UK for an advance copy in return for a fair and honest review

I loved it but the ending absolutely ruined me, I was so cross that Sally had come so far, that she had such a hopeful future and it all just vanished. She deserved more. Then I talked about it with a friend, went away and read the last few chapters again, of course Sally wouldn't have a HEA, it wouldn't make sense. It was a 5 star read for me and I think about it a lot.
I read Lying in Wait by the same author and didn't enjoy it at all.

Just finished this book this morning. Totally gripped me to the extent I've just spent 90min of my last day off before Christmas finishing it rather than starting on my massive to do list!

I thought it was tremendous and loved the character of Sally. The ending was so sad though. I understand a happy ever after might have been too twee but I felt that from Peter arriving to the end was kind of rushed through. Her friends had supported her so much through the book and then seemed to just melt away at the end. I felt like we needed to see more of their dealings with Peter or Sally's behaviours after Peter came to understand that a bit better. This made it a 4.5 rather than 5 out of 5 for me. The final Peter chapter was chilling though.

Overall I thought it was a great book - will be recommending it to friends - just not those who like a happy ending.

I’ve just finished listening to the audiobook. Totally gripped but quite heartbroken by the ending; I just wanted it to be ok for Sally but of course how could it be really? Very realistic and all the characters were well drawn, and all multi-dimensional, even the bad guys. Agree Peters ending was chilling but also not surprising I suppose. I’m now wondering if I want to read it having listened. One of my best books this year.

I’ve just finished reading this book and agree that ending was disappointing.
Her network of support just disappeared after spending most of the story being there for her.

Very much enjoyed it but agree on the ending. I preferred Eleanor Oliphant.

Wow. I loved this book - and, despite it all, I found it largely uplifting and Sally had come so far, the final chapters were soul destroyinglu sad/evil. Poor Sally, let down by almost everyone.

Read this book. In the epilogue talking about the daughter Amanda. She is about to give a concert. It talks about two new uncles coming to the concert from Rotorua, am I missing something here. Who are the uncles???

The uncles are Amanda’s mum’s brothers.

Of course, got it now

Loved this but agree about the ending. If she could have kept even just one friend I'd have been happy!

I just re read it for a book club and funnily enough I remembered almost everything except the sad ending. It's like my brain decided not to accept the ending chosen by the author.

I still felt that there was hope for Sally despite her attitude at the end, she was devastated by Peter more than anything that she had ever experienced before but she would work through it and eventually go back to being sociable. Once you learn those skills it's easier to pick up where you let off. She mentions Laura in Gala tried to chat to her so she stopped going there but not everyone is against her.