🏷️ Spoiler Policy
Reviews on The Muddled Reader are spoiler safe by default and focus on mental health themes rather than plot. Any post containing plot spoilers is clearly marked.
Review through a mental health lens
Title: The Lamb
Author: Lucy Rose
Date: February 4th 2025
Pages: 336
🍀 Why I Picked This Book
I saw this book being talked about a lot on TikTok late last year and knew I had to add to my TBR (to be read pile for non social app addicts like this poor unfortunate soul). This is the debut novel by Lucy Rose, a neurodivergent writer, which instantly peeked my interest. The book is her pouring her soul into the pages telling the tale of a complex mother/daughter relationship in the backdrop of a gothic/folk horror setting AND there is cannibalism! Why wouldn’t I want to read this?!
🌈 Overall Feeling & Vibes
This book, to me, in vibes is a mix of Hansel & Gretel, Carrie and We’ve Always Lived in the Castle. Lucy’s style of writing is beautiful. She manages to tell a story set in modern times feel timeless, we could be centuries ago. It’s masterful. It’s poetic and singsongy. The story is forlorn, sad, at times hopeful. From the moment I read the first line I was transported into a world Hans Christian Andersen could have created.
🧠 Mental Health Themes Present
🧵Complex mother/daughter relationships
🧵Child abuse
🧵Cannibalism
🧵Animal cruelty
🧵Enmeshment
🧵Narcissistic mothers
🧵Generational trauma
💥 Moments That Hit Hard
“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.’
👥 Who Would I Recommend This Book To
This book won’t be for everyone, it’s gory, sad and would be triggering for some. I am personally on a quest to read books about family dysfunction, complex parent/child relationships, due to my own experiences and healing journey. I’m also a gothic / folk horror addict. That said, if you enjoy adult fairy tales and beautiful writing this may also be for you.
📝 Final Reflections
Such a sad, but beautifully told tale. I can’t wait for Lucy’s next book! Her writing style is so unique, I don’t remember ever reading a book quite like this.
🌿 Comfort / Distress Balance
Emotionally heavy: 💔💔💔💔💔
Hopeful elements: 🌤️🌤️
Comfort read potential: ☕
Overall Book Rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐