A review by beccajdb
Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent

dark fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.5

What an appalling, prurient book. A gratuitous minute-by-minute setting-out of child abuse and violence. The fact that it’s narrated in the totally unbelievable voices of two of the damaged victims is both ridiculous and outrageous. The style is a plain blow-by-blow explanation with throwaway and jarring detail about everything from bitcoin to Māori culture. Shockingly bad in both content and writing. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Pedophilia, Car accident, Grief, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Pregnancy, Racial slurs, Adult/minor relationship, Confinement, Death, Sexual assault, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Racism, Rape, Sexual violence, Suicide, and Violence