Read the whole thing today in one go. My heart is breaking for that poor boy - and all the boys trampled by cruelty and the absence of love. I hope you've got peace, Lamb, and I wish the world were not so mean.
🙏 Thank you, Caroline! 💜 Me and others have decided that Lamb is living his best life in another dimension - a new world with a kinder spirit than he found in this.
Troy! This is gorgeous - so moving and wise, yet simple in a way that is just human. I've loved reading this entire series. Congratulations on the project!
(I love the way you got Kamala in there! Also the 'normal' kind of death seems fitting, as if it is just random chance, but then of course we don't know all the details.)
What a story. This idea of the complexities we all carry and those who are 'special' partly because they refuse to be able to live within the absurdity of our world....this is so beautifully put here and so dexterously investigated throughout the novel. Bravo.
Thank you Kate! I mentioned at the wrap party that the circumstances of Lamb's death are based on those of my friend high school who inspired the story - including his date of death. The 20 year gap in knowledge, not knowing what happened, I think left a question mark that my brain ended up filling with this story. So appreciate your being here through this year-long journey. 💙
Oh Troy, that is so touching and must be both difficult and cathartic to write about.
I did remember about the high school friend from earlier on, but didn't want to assume this was part of the truth of the autofiction (if that's what you would call it?). It must be quite emotional to reach the end. 💜
Yes writing the eulogy ending was quite emotional, although in the end, the character took on a whole life of his own - maybe with Lamb I was able to give expression to the sense of loss, not just of my friend, but of years and loves lost to homophobia and the closet. Someone said that Lamb is one long eulogy - I don't disagree... xo
Bravo, Troy! I’m a week late but I finally got the chance to sit and enjoy this final chapter. You achieved so much with this novel and created a character in Lamb that is so fully realized. His fate was sealed from the very beginning when he was christened with his name, but you developed him into such a multifaceted person, a mass of lovable contradictions that it was painful to see him finally meet his end. I’m so sorry I missed your reading last weekend. I wanted to be there to celebrate with you. It’s quite an achievement and I hope you’re proud.
Thank you so much Ben! You've been a great inspiration - delighted to have your support all these many months. Truly an honor to have a fellow writer of such excellent work shoulder to shoulder in this great experiment of writing and Substack. 💛
Oh, Troy. What a perfect, and frankly masterful, ending. I’ve had a real week, and I’ve been looking forward to listening to (while reading) this for all of it (despite wishing it would never end). There’s something absoluetly exquisite about D’s ‘last line’ being “Here’s what I said…”. This is one of those novels that’ll stay with me forever. As you know, Lamb has such a special place in my heart, which feels as though it’s always been there, and as you know I can’t wait to hold the physical book, one day. I’m so sad that I coldn’t join the finale read, I would have loved to be there, even if I would have been an embarrassing mess.
Congratulations, my dear. This is something very, very special indeed 💜
I'm sorry you had a week, Chloe - hoping the weekend gives you a little relief. Thank you so much for everything - you've been such a dear on this year long journey, and taking Lamb to heart as you have was one of the ways I knew he'd come alive. So glad to have you with me - I appreciate you so much. 💜💙💚
Oh, he came so, so alive. I found myself daydreaming of a Lamb podcast, where' the story’s told with all your brilliant musical choices interwoven. Song to the Siren gets me every single time…
Troy, you did it! What a beautiful and moving ending! It really hits.
And I read this "I think back to the time he cried his eyes out over a little baby chick, and how I said to myself then Jeez, this kid is completely defenseless, all six-foot-six of him." and I had a moment of "and I remember that too!! The chick. Omg the chick."
That's the power of what you've done here. You've created memories in your readers that are further empowered because of the temporal aspect of serialisation. We've lived this through D.
Congratulations Troy on this beautiful finale to your ambitious and resonant serial novel, LAMB. So wonderful to be able to go along on this literary journey with you and the memorable characters you've created — Thank you for putting this novel out in the world in such a creative and inviting way. Excited to work with you on the next stage in 2025.
"Can we be our best selves without knowing someone like Lamb, someone who can’t cope—good through and through, but never tough enough to hack it here in this great blast furnace of humanity?" Such exquisite and moving prose, Troy! A fitting final chapter to this wonderful book. Bravo!
A fantastic and incredibly moving ending. I found myself getting emotional as I read that final letter. Truly beautiful words about a truly beautiful character.
“In a way, the moment he took off without saying goodbye was when he died to me” — that bit really stuck out to me, in that we can have these sort of symbolic deaths with people throughout our lives.
“it’s really hard to understand sometimes how our favorite people fall and never get back up.” — so damn true and so damn heartbreaking.
I was going to copy and paste everything that came after that above quote, but I figured it was unnecessary, but just know I found it all very moving. :)
My friend, what joy to have come to know Lamb. What a joy to be at the live celebration of the conclusion of this wonderful novel.
I listened again. And once again, I was struck by this passage: “Can we be our best selves without knowing someone like Lamb, someone who can’t cope—good through and through, but never tough enough to hack it here in this great blast furnace of humanity? Can we be our best selves without loving someone like that—the chick that never flies, the babe in the woods who never finds his way home?”
That it’s through loving that we become our best selves is such a beautiful truth. Thanks for putting it so succinctly.
I'm looking forward to going back and reading the whole thing together, I had missed some of the chapters, but I still cried at this one. I know that feeling with certain friends who never quite rise the way they should, but he did in this story. Beautiful, Troy!
You've brought Lamb so skillfully and vividly into our lives that I am certain he will live on, representing all the "unleavened" souls out there who need an extended hand and heart. And what a special gathering this past weekend. In a way, the circle felt like Lamb's "essential missing ingredient"—if only he were real and alive to feel all that love. But what a powerful reminder as we move through our days and rally around those who need us most.
Read the whole thing today in one go. My heart is breaking for that poor boy - and all the boys trampled by cruelty and the absence of love. I hope you've got peace, Lamb, and I wish the world were not so mean.
🙏 Thank you, Caroline! 💜 Me and others have decided that Lamb is living his best life in another dimension - a new world with a kinder spirit than he found in this.
Troy! This is gorgeous - so moving and wise, yet simple in a way that is just human. I've loved reading this entire series. Congratulations on the project!
(I love the way you got Kamala in there! Also the 'normal' kind of death seems fitting, as if it is just random chance, but then of course we don't know all the details.)
What a story. This idea of the complexities we all carry and those who are 'special' partly because they refuse to be able to live within the absurdity of our world....this is so beautifully put here and so dexterously investigated throughout the novel. Bravo.
Thank you Kate! I mentioned at the wrap party that the circumstances of Lamb's death are based on those of my friend high school who inspired the story - including his date of death. The 20 year gap in knowledge, not knowing what happened, I think left a question mark that my brain ended up filling with this story. So appreciate your being here through this year-long journey. 💙
Oh Troy, that is so touching and must be both difficult and cathartic to write about.
I did remember about the high school friend from earlier on, but didn't want to assume this was part of the truth of the autofiction (if that's what you would call it?). It must be quite emotional to reach the end. 💜
Yes writing the eulogy ending was quite emotional, although in the end, the character took on a whole life of his own - maybe with Lamb I was able to give expression to the sense of loss, not just of my friend, but of years and loves lost to homophobia and the closet. Someone said that Lamb is one long eulogy - I don't disagree... xo
Bravo, Troy! I’m a week late but I finally got the chance to sit and enjoy this final chapter. You achieved so much with this novel and created a character in Lamb that is so fully realized. His fate was sealed from the very beginning when he was christened with his name, but you developed him into such a multifaceted person, a mass of lovable contradictions that it was painful to see him finally meet his end. I’m so sorry I missed your reading last weekend. I wanted to be there to celebrate with you. It’s quite an achievement and I hope you’re proud.
Thank you so much Ben! You've been a great inspiration - delighted to have your support all these many months. Truly an honor to have a fellow writer of such excellent work shoulder to shoulder in this great experiment of writing and Substack. 💛
Oh, Troy. What a perfect, and frankly masterful, ending. I’ve had a real week, and I’ve been looking forward to listening to (while reading) this for all of it (despite wishing it would never end). There’s something absoluetly exquisite about D’s ‘last line’ being “Here’s what I said…”. This is one of those novels that’ll stay with me forever. As you know, Lamb has such a special place in my heart, which feels as though it’s always been there, and as you know I can’t wait to hold the physical book, one day. I’m so sad that I coldn’t join the finale read, I would have loved to be there, even if I would have been an embarrassing mess.
Congratulations, my dear. This is something very, very special indeed 💜
I'm sorry you had a week, Chloe - hoping the weekend gives you a little relief. Thank you so much for everything - you've been such a dear on this year long journey, and taking Lamb to heart as you have was one of the ways I knew he'd come alive. So glad to have you with me - I appreciate you so much. 💜💙💚
Oh, he came so, so alive. I found myself daydreaming of a Lamb podcast, where' the story’s told with all your brilliant musical choices interwoven. Song to the Siren gets me every single time…
Oh that would be fun, although I think I'd end up having to pay royalties or something. 😂💛
Then we will have to write and record an album of songs that sound dangerously (but not litigiously so) close! 😂💜🎙️
Troy, you did it! What a beautiful and moving ending! It really hits.
And I read this "I think back to the time he cried his eyes out over a little baby chick, and how I said to myself then Jeez, this kid is completely defenseless, all six-foot-six of him." and I had a moment of "and I remember that too!! The chick. Omg the chick."
That's the power of what you've done here. You've created memories in your readers that are further empowered because of the temporal aspect of serialisation. We've lived this through D.
Beautiful. Bravo.
Thank you Nathan - really appreciate your support from the very start. 💛🐥🤗
So, so good!!! Bravo on an incredible story. Thank you for sharing your brilliant work!! ✨
Thank you Lindsey!! Glad you enjoyed it. 💜
Congratulations Troy on this beautiful finale to your ambitious and resonant serial novel, LAMB. So wonderful to be able to go along on this literary journey with you and the memorable characters you've created — Thank you for putting this novel out in the world in such a creative and inviting way. Excited to work with you on the next stage in 2025.
2025 - I can tell it's going to be whirlwind already! 😂 Can't wait to dig in to the book launch with your help, Jeff. Thanks for everything!
"Can we be our best selves without knowing someone like Lamb, someone who can’t cope—good through and through, but never tough enough to hack it here in this great blast furnace of humanity?" Such exquisite and moving prose, Troy! A fitting final chapter to this wonderful book. Bravo!
Thank you so much Jeffrey!! Appreciate you. 🤗
Bravo Troy!
A fantastic and incredibly moving ending. I found myself getting emotional as I read that final letter. Truly beautiful words about a truly beautiful character.
“In a way, the moment he took off without saying goodbye was when he died to me” — that bit really stuck out to me, in that we can have these sort of symbolic deaths with people throughout our lives.
“it’s really hard to understand sometimes how our favorite people fall and never get back up.” — so damn true and so damn heartbreaking.
I was going to copy and paste everything that came after that above quote, but I figured it was unnecessary, but just know I found it all very moving. :)
Thank you so much Michael, and thanks for the restack! Yes - symbolic deaths - that’s what I had in mind, I think about that all the time too.
My pleasure friend :)
So happy to celebrate Lamb with you. What a beautiful, touching ending!
Thanks Annette! So great to see you face to face! Onward! 🥰
Such a delight, pleasure, and colossal moment to have celebrated you, your accomplishments, your plans, and Lamb, dear Troy! Thank you so much. :-*
Thank YOU, my dear Nadia - so glad you could make it to the party. 💛🐥💛
:-*
"May he fly at last!" What a perfect ending.
Bravo, Troy. Bravo!
Thank you so much A! xo 🐥
My friend, what joy to have come to know Lamb. What a joy to be at the live celebration of the conclusion of this wonderful novel.
I listened again. And once again, I was struck by this passage: “Can we be our best selves without knowing someone like Lamb, someone who can’t cope—good through and through, but never tough enough to hack it here in this great blast furnace of humanity? Can we be our best selves without loving someone like that—the chick that never flies, the babe in the woods who never finds his way home?”
That it’s through loving that we become our best selves is such a beautiful truth. Thanks for putting it so succinctly.
I'm so glad you could make it to the party, my dear, and it was lovely to have a minute to talk 1:1 beforehand. Thank you for everything! 💛🐥🐈⬛
I'm looking forward to going back and reading the whole thing together, I had missed some of the chapters, but I still cried at this one. I know that feeling with certain friends who never quite rise the way they should, but he did in this story. Beautiful, Troy!
I cried too!
Oh good! The reading part, not the crying part… ;) Thanks Deirdre!!
You've brought Lamb so skillfully and vividly into our lives that I am certain he will live on, representing all the "unleavened" souls out there who need an extended hand and heart. And what a special gathering this past weekend. In a way, the circle felt like Lamb's "essential missing ingredient"—if only he were real and alive to feel all that love. But what a powerful reminder as we move through our days and rally around those who need us most.
💜💜💜
This one made me cry 😢