You Left Early: A True Story of Love and Alcohol

‘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