The Lamb

Author: Lucy Rose

Date Published: February 4th 2025

Pages: 336

If you are looking for a gothic fairy tale that adds a touch of Hansel & Gretel with a dash of Carrie, and a spoon of We’ve Always Lived in The Castle, you, like me, will adore this book!

I devoured Lucy Rose’s debut novel in more ways than one. Her writing style is beautiful. The way that she manages to tell a story set in modern times feel centuries old is masterful.

The story is about a young girl named Margot and her “mama”. They live in a mouldy, run down dilapidated homestead in the middle of a forest off the beaten track. The main thing to know about the mother and daughter pair, is that they are cannibals. Catching strays by leaving nails on roads is all Margot has ever known.

Margot divulges their story and as it unravels, it becomes truly heart breaking. This is much more than a folk horror. It examines the complexities of mother daughter relationships, childhood trauma, the fear of growing up / growing old. Lucy explores the subject of narcissistic mothers and enmeshment in The Lamb.

‘When you were small, you were easy to love. You’d do anything for me. Every word I spoke was gospel and you looked at me like I was the most beautiful woman in the world. But something has changed, Little One,’ Mama whispered, careful and quiet. ‘And I’m wondering if it’s quite possible I don’t love you the same anymore.’

Such a sad but beautifully told tale. I highly recommend!

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