Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent (Sandycove)

At the narrative's core is Sally Diamond, a character thrust into an unusual predicament following her father's death. Misinterpreting his final words, she opts to dispose of his body in the trash bin rather than alerting the authorities. While her actions were unquestionably misguided, they were devoid of malice. How could she have known any better?

My belated discovery of Liz Nugent’s work left me astounded. Nugent’s writing is nothing short of brilliant, embodying a dark, perhaps noir quality, finely balanced with subtlety and a keen insight into human nature. Her novels frequently foreground family dynamics, revealing the unsettling truth that we often remain strangers to those closest to us, and sometimes even to ourselves.

Nugent's storytelling often starts on a seemingly light-hearted or humorous note. However, beneath this veneer lies a tapestry woven with past traumas, tragedies, and horrors including torture and murder. The resolutions to her stories are particularly satisfying, as each character ultimately receives their due, a form of poetic justice that underscores the narrative's moral complexity.

The characters Nugent crafts, though often unreliable and occasionally exasperating, never devolve into caricatures. Sally, for instance, struggles profoundly with social interactions and does not always exhibit the expected emotional responses. Yet, her perspective provides an intriguing lens through which neurotypical social behaviors appear absurd, offering both entertainment and profound insight.

The prose is exemplary, making the novel an engaging and accessible read despite its heavy themes. This is one of those rare books that not only captivate but also compel the reader to keep turning the pages. Nugent's skillful writing ensures that even the darkest subject matter is rendered with an elegance that makes the reading experience thoroughly enjoyable.

4/5