Visceral, shocking, raw: Cambridge Edition writer Charlotte Griffiths shares her review of The Lamb, a new contemporary folk horror novel by Lucy Rose.
Occasionally a book resets the bar for use of a descriptive term. After reading The Lamb, writer Lucy Rose’s debut novel, it’s the word visceral: I won’t be throwing that around so easily from now on!
This contemporary folk horror is indeed the most visceral, bodily, raw piece of writing I’ve encountered. You’ll know if it’s for you from the eyebrow-raising opening sentence, which I encourage you to seek out and read for yourself.
Margot and her Mama live in a pebble- dashed cottage in the woods, hidden from society – which is probably for the best, because they have a very particular diet. Sometimes a lost traveller wanders too near to their cottage, but the ‘strays’, as the small family refer to their infrequent visitors, don’t make that same mistake again.
Margot and Mama are content with their lot. Margot takes the bus to school, her Mama keeps house, entertains lovers and watches out for incoming strays: all beautifully depicted by Rose’s lyrical writing, as well as horrifyingly domestic and almost recognisable. That is, until the enigmatic Eden turns up, reveals she shares their appetites, and this queer, feminist, body-shock, coming-of-age debut really gets going.
Rose’s particular gift for mouth-watering food descriptions makes reading this an extremely unsettling and challenging experience. Completely compelling in a nightmarish way, this is a dark fairytale that’ll have you reading with one hand over your mouth – and might also make you temporarily vegetarian.
The Lamb by Lucy Rose is out now. Find out more and order your copy at lucyrosecreative.co.uk.