David Yelland’s heartfelt and heart-warming “The Truth About Leo” has been published to a torrent of media coverage. The book tells the story of ten-year-old protagonist Leo, who lives every day desperately trying to hide the fact that his father is an alcoholic. With five pages of coverage in The Mail On Sunday, including a page one cover story, “The Truth About Leo” is on target to become the year’s most talked-about book for children.
“Writing this book is the most important thing I have ever done”, says David. “I was compelled to write it although at times it was an intensely painful experience. Though this book is a fiction and I am not the father in it, he is the man I nearly was. Like him, I fell victim to alcohol. There came a time when it controlled me and nearly killed me.
Some years ago I realised that I would die if I did not stop drinking entirely, and I saw that I needed help. Fortunately, I found that help and I chose to recover. Too many choose the other route. Too many children are left either in chaotic homes or without parents. I have not drunk alcohol since 2005, and have no intention of ever doing so again. I’m lucky, I have a happy and wonderful life but I have it only because I stopped in time.
This is a book about truth. Alcoholism is too often swept under the carpet. I hope my novel will encourage adults and children to talk about the issue, but I also want this book to show children what recovery is so they may seek it if they ever need to.”
