My Dear I Wanted to Tell You

Louisa Young

Mar 2011 · HarperCollins UK

About this ebook

A letter, two lovers, a terrible lie. In war, truth is only the first casualty.

‘Inspires the kind of devotion among its readers not seen since David Nicholls’ One Day’ The Times

While Riley Purefoy and Peter Locke fight for their country, their survival and their sanity in the trenches of Flanders, Nadine Waveney, Julia Locke and Rose Locke do what they can at home.

Beautiful, obsessive Julia and gentle, eccentric Peter are married: each day Julia goes through rituals to prepare for her beloved husband’s return. Nadine and Riley, only eighteen when the war starts, and with problems of their own already, want above all to make promises - but how can they when the future is not in their hands? And Rose? Well, what did happen to the traditionally brought-up women who lost all hope of marriage, because all the young men were dead?

Ratings and reviews

The first in a trilogy of novels by Louisa Young regarding the First World War. Powerful, shocking and incredibly tender and sad in places, I was on occasions moved to tears. Having read Pat Barker's trilogy on the same subject, Louisa Young can rightfully stand side by side with her. A tour de force.

Absolutely loved this book, I couldn't put it down!! Can't wait to read the sequel 'The Heroes welcome'.

Good english book

About the author

Louisa Young was born in London. She was for many years a freelance journalist, working mostly for the motorcycle press, for Marie Claire and for the Guardian. She has travelled widely and published ten books. She lives in London and Italy with her daughter. She is the adult half of Zizou Corder, authors of the best-selling Lionboy trilogy, which is published in 36 languages.