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A True Story of Love and Alcohol

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By: Louisa Young
Narrated by: Louisa Young
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‘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

Art & Literature Authors Entertainment & Celebrities Grief & Loss Personal Development Relationships Celebrity Substance abuse Emotionally Gripping Heartfelt Inspiring Feel-Good Thought-Provoking Romance
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Critic reviews

‘Rich and moving and beautifully written’ The Times
‘An extraordinarily powerful and moving work – for all… An achingly beautiful book which I devoured in two sittings. Amazing’ Emma Thompson
‘Spectacular. I can’t stop thinking about it. Louisa Young is a beautiful, beautiful writer and there is great courage and love in the way she addresses her subject. It’s the portrait of a man and his times and his illness told with love but also with an unflinching honesty that feels like a great gift to the reader’ Cathy Rentzenbrink, author of The Last Act of Love
‘Beautiful but, yes, sobering story … it is, at heart, an old-fashioned love’ Daily Mail
‘Extraordinarily candid… As much as it’s an overwhelming love letter, Young’s book is also a sobering reminder of the devastating effects of alcoholism, not just on an individual’s life, but on everyone else around them’ Evening Standard
‘The most riveting, heartbreaking book I've ever read about addiction, but above all about the nature of love. Already one of my books of the year’ Linda Grant
‘Brave, honest and beautiful’ Nicholas Lezard, Evening Standard
‘Louisa Young's memoir of her long, bruising love for musical genius Robert Lockhart is as honest as the morning after and the best account of loving against all sense since Penelope Mortimer’s The Pumpkin Eater’ Patrick Gale
‘I’m still fucking crying. And it’s such a great work of art. I wish I'd read it before I worked as a drug and alcohol counsellor’ Philippa Perry
‘Oh my God, it’s so beautiful, and heartbreaking, and true’ Sam Baker, The Pool
'Had me weeping into my pillow… Anyone who has ever loved an addict will recognise most of what she has to say’ iNews
‘An important book, one that demands we rethink a culture of blame around alcoholism … moving, harrowing and tirelessly empathetic’ Daily Express
All stars
Most relevant
Agonising and brilliant, made me cry often, but in the next breath lifted me up again; SO beautifully written and narrated. It felt like a privilege to have been allowed a glimpse into Robert and Louisa's story, special and forever memorable.
😖😎💕

Heart wrenchingly

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loved this book as I lived every moment with my alcoholic dependent beautiful lost daughter ❤️ 💔

Absolutely brilliant audio written from the heart.

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Such a heart wrenching tale. The destruction of alcohol can never be underestimated. Louisa was a true heroine and what a love match between herself and Robert. Louisa never gave up on her love for Robert that is true love

Humbling and heart wrenching

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What an emotional rollercoaster I have endured, listening to Louisa's beautiful voice reading her witty, tragic story of her unconditional love for her gifted yet defiant and invincible fiance. I lost count of the number of lumps in my throat or my incredulity of Robert's stupidity at times. This book plumbs the depths of addiction, lifts you up and takes you down.I spluttered with laughter at some of the conversations between them - clever quips yet tinged with happiness and sadness in equal measure. The recollection of diary entries makes it so very personal.
Extremely well written and beautifully narrated. More please !

Utterly captivating

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As a functioning alcoholic myself I appreciate Everything about Robert and yourself as a long suffering partner who just loved her man! Life is hard and interesting and funny and sad and exciting and exhausting all at the same time. I always remember we are spirits trying to deal with a human existence not humans trying to find spirituality xxxx blessed love

Thank you

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