You Left Early
‘Extraordinarily powerful’ Emma Thompson
There are a million love stories, and a million stories of addiction. This one is transcendent.
Louisa Young met Robert Lockhart when they were both 17. Their stop-start romance lasted decades, in which time he became a celebrated composer and she, an acclaimed novelist.
This is both a compelling portrait of a lifelong love affair, and an incredibly affecting guide to how the partner of a 'charismatic, infuriating, adorable, self-sabotaging’ alcoholic can find the strength to survive when the disease rips both their lives apart.
‘Rich and moving and beautifully written’ The Times
‘Spectacular. I can’t stop thinking about it’ Cathy Rentzenbrink
‘Extraordinarily candid’ Evening Standard
‘Beautiful, and heartbreaking, and true’ Sam Baker, The Pool
‘Moving, harrowing and tirelessly empathetic’ Daily Express
Louisa Young was born in London and read history at Cambridge. She co-wrote the Lionboy series with her daughter, and is the author of eight further books including the bestselling My Dear I Wanted to Tell You, which was shortlisted for the Costa Novel Award, and was a Richard and Judy Book Club choice, and its acclaimed sequels The Heroes’ Welcome and Devotion. Her work is published in 36 languages. She lives in London.