Apple Tree Yard by Louise Doughty, Allen and Unwin, $29.99.
Courtroom drama, psychological thriller, erotic fantasy — Louise Doughty’s Apple Tree Yard is all of these and more.
It’s an intriguing examination of predatory sex, of lust and of where women sit in this world of daring behaviour and blind trust.
It’s also a novel which turns a lot of the general conventions of thriller writing upside down as Doughty entices the reader to take risks, suspend judgment and, like her central character, leap into the unknown with only the barest facts lighting the way.
Told in the first person, the novel starts at the story’s climax, when our as yet un-named protagonist, who we later discover is facing a murder charge in Britain’s famous Old Bailey criminal court, starts to hyper-ventilate as her defence strategy is blown apart with three little words — Apple Tree Yard.
And at once, like Alice tumbling down the rabbit hole, we are taken back to when Yvonne, a middle-aged geneticist, married with two grown-up children and living in comfortable suburbia on the edge of London, is seduced in the most unlikely way by a man she has never met and who, for a large part of the story, remains anonymous.
With little more than a ‘come hither’ look, the greying wiry stud leads Yvonne to the broom cupboard in The Crypt Chapel of The House of Commons, where they indulge in steamy, at times awkward, but thrillingly exciting sex.
The frisson of illicit and dangerous adultery pulls us in and for the first 100 pages or so it feels as if we’re in a Fifty Shades of Grey spin-off.
Suddenly, the emphasis shifts and Yvonne’s naughty, dark secret is thrown into the shade by an event both shocking and life-changing; an event which shifts Yvonne’s life totally off-kilter and spiralling out of control.
All at once, what started as a bit of dangerous fun, now takes a very different turn as Doughty delves more into Yvonne’s life and we begin to examine the very complex human emotions at play here.
We learn about her children, about her marriage and about the development of this love affair which could either save or destroy her.
Concurrently, we dart in and out of the court proceedings, as a more complete picture of what is going on builds and we begin to mistrust our own feelings about Yvonne.
Clever and enthralling, this is a novel that continues to challenge and surprise all the way to the final full-stop and beyond.
About the author: Louise Doughty
This is the seventh fiction book by UK writer Louise Doughty, whose first novel, Crazy Paving, was shortlisted for four awards when it was published in 1995.
Louise has also written award-winning radio drama and short stories, and contributes to newspapers and broadcasts for the BBC.
She studied for an MA in Creative Writing at the University of East Anglia with other great British authors Malcolm Bradbury and Angela Carter, and then moved to London, where she took on a string of temporary jobs, including teaching and secretarial work, before her first novel was published.
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Julia Gillard has defended her much-criticised decision to appear on Kyle Sandilands’ radio show.
In the third part of Caroline Overington’s interview with the Prime Minister, Ms Gillard — whose anti-misogyny speech made her internationally famous — explained why she decided to associate with a man who has frequently been in hot water over his sexist comments.
“Kyle and Jackie O speak to more than a million Australians every morning,” Ms Gillard says. “And what do we as politicians want? We want the opportunity to talk to more than a million Australians.
“I went on the show the day after Mr Abbott was on it and for whatever reason, the fact that I went on it is the topic of discussion.”
When challenged by Ms Overington that the reason her appearance raised eyebrows was because of her openly feminist and anti-misogynist stance, Ms Gillard made it clear she didn’t support any of Kyle’s anti-woman sentiments.
“I don’t endorse that conduct,” she said. “I have in the past been asked in interviews about some of Kyle’s conduct and I’ve been very clear when the conduct has been sexist and unacceptable. There are no free passes here.”
Read Caroline Overington’s interview with the PM here:
William and Kate are expecting their first child, but it could arrive earlier than anticipated.
The world is preparing to welcome a royal baby next month, but today’s reports suggest the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s first child could arrive earlier than expected.
The due date of the royal baby is believed to be July 13, but the UK newspapers are speculating the “true date” may have been kept secret, as was the case in Prince William’s birth.
In 1982, Princess Diana announced the heir to the throne was due on July 1, but surprised royalwatchers when the little prince arrived ten days early on June 21.
If Kate and William have decided to follow Diana’s lead, the Telegraph suggests, the “true expected due date” of their child will be July 3.
Kate’s failure to attend the lavish wedding of Melissa Percy and Tom van Straubenzee at the weekend has fuelled rumours over the baby’s early arrival, with reports the Duchess didn’t accompany her husband “in case she went into very early labour”.
In January this year St James Palace confirmed the baby was due in July, with the 13th widely reported as the anticipated due date.
“Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are delighted to confirm they are expecting a baby in July,” a statement from St James’ Palace said.
The Palace has also tried to hamper speculation over the baby’s gender, insisting the couple have chosen not to be told their child’s sex until it is born.
The first indication of Kate going into labour will be via Twitter, where Clarence House and Buckingham Palace will announce the news once the Duchess has been admitted to hospital and seen by a doctor.
The actual birth will be given a bit more pomp and circumstance, with an announcement printed on special stationary and signed by delivery room doctors and displayed on a royal easel by the front gates of Buckingham Palace.
Kim Kardashian has tested the loyalty of those closest to her by sending out two fake photos of her daughter North.
Within hours of sending the images, a friend tried to sell one to a media outlet.
The baby, which is wrapped in a blanket, could easily pass for 10-day-old North, but sources close to Kim and Kanye have confirmed the picture is a fake.
First-time mum Kim is said to have moved in with her mother Kris Jenner along with her newborn bub and Kanye until renovations on her $9 million home are complete.
Kris, who was the first Kardashian to confirm the child’s name, spoke approvingly of the decision to call her “North”.
“I love the name North. I’m pro North, absolutely. The way [Kim] explained it to me was that North means highest power, and she says that North is their highest point together and I thought that was really sweet,” she said on The View.
“It’s North West, but you don’t walk around calling somebody, ‘Hi North West.’ It’s just North.”
Kris added that Kardashian was not included in the child’s name and that Kim and Kanye are “cute” parents.
She’s the genetically-blessed Australian supermodel who bestows confidence-building advice to female fans on how to empower themselves.
But Miranda Kerr has caused a stir by promoting the idea that women should take the back seat in relationships so men can feel important.
In an interview during which the 30-year-old acknowledges the importance of “my brand”, the ex-David Jones ambassador says when she comes home from work, she takes on a “more feminine” role.
“If you’re really an alpha female, you don’t allow [your partner] to have the space to feel like the man in the relationship,” she tells Net-A-Porter magazine.
“Maybe I am too traditional, but men feel important when you ask for their help, instead of thinking you can do it all on your own.”
As someone who says she is “quite dominant” in her career and wants “to do good things with [the] voice” she’s earned from her modelling success, the portrait of a seemingly submissive wife is being criticised as regressive.
Kerr is the author of a book Treasure Yourself, described on her website as containing “important lessons on self-confidence, inner beauty and acceptance.”
In a 2005 interview, Kerr’s husband Orlando Bloom, who was single at the time, said, “I like women of strong character.” He also valued “independence.”
In a commentary referring to Kerr’s latest comments, Daily Life editor Sarah Oakes remarked: “She’s a woman with significant influence and profile. While I’m not expecting robust feminist commentary it’s a shame she can’t do a little better than suggesting women diminish their power.”
But Kerr appears to regard it as a form of self-improvement.
“My mistake in my relationships has been to feel that I can do it all on my own: I don’t need a man,” Kerr added in the magazine interview.
“That is definitely a mistake. Women generally want to feel loved and appreciated. It’s something that I am working on every day, trust me! It’s a challenge for me to do that.”
Nigella Lawson leaving her sisters flat in London and the photos published in Sunday People.
Charles Saatchi has again defended his actions in the wake of the publication of photos that appear to show him choking his wife Nigella Lawson.
Further images also show him twisting his wife’s nose and putting a finger in her nostril, to which he exlained he was attempting to “wipe his wife’s nose”.
“Even domestic goddesses sometimes have a bit of snot in their nose. I was trying to fish it out,” the advertising millionaire told the Evening Standard.
While Saatchi has commented on the images numerous times, saying “there was no grip, it was a playful tiff”, Nigella’s spokesman said the celebrity chef would be maintaining her silence on the matter.
“Going to America may give Nigella the space from her husband to help find a way of repairing the damage that has been done,” a source told the paper.
Since the publication of the pictures a week ago, Nigella has moved out of the pair’s $23 million family home in Chelsea. She has also been spotted out without her wedding ring.
Wondering what the beleaguered Prime Minister has been doing lately? She’s been knitting a gift for the royal baby, writes Caroline Overington.
Some will remember the record spending, or perhaps the record debt. Others will ponder the wisdom of knifing Kevin Rudd.
By contrast, Julia Gillard will look back on her time as Australia’s first female Prime Minister with “a sense of pride and achievement” — and few, if any, regrets.
“I’m not a person who agonises,” Ms Gillard said, in an exclusive interview in the July issue of The Australian Women’s Weekly, out on Wednesday.
“You always look back over your life and say there are some things you might have liked to have done (differently) … but I think I’ll be really comfortable with the choices I’ve made.”
Ms Gillard was responding to a series of questions about what she — and those closest to her — will say about her legacy, long after she has left the Lodge.
She believes she will be able to look back “with a sense of pride and achievement about things that have changed … I hope that I’d be active enough to be able to go to a local school and say gee, things are different here because of things I did so many years ago … (and) go to a local hospital and say the same.”
She believes her father, who died last September, would be particularly proud of what she’s achieved — including her legacy, as first woman ever to rise to the nation’s highest office.
“Dad was incredibly proud of me becoming Prime Minister, and incredibly proud, I think, that it was him that sparked the interest in values, politics, current affairs, and particularly education,” Ms Gillard said.
“I hope he would congratulate me on a life well lived, and changes for our nation. What he dreamt about as a child was a fair go, a great education. He didn’t get it … (I hope) he’d say, ‘You did make a difference for Australia’s kids’.”
Ms Gillard said her sister, Alison, would still be amazed that it was Julia who rose to become PM.
“I was always the shy one, the one who was less forthcoming, she was the bigger personality,” Ms Gillard said. “She’d say how startled she was that it all worked out that I ended up being Prime Minister, and how proud the family was that I ended up becoming Prime Minister, particularly the first woman to do it.”
Ms Gillard posed for a series of photographs, whilst knitting a toy kangaroo for the baby that Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, is due to deliver in July.
The request to be shown knitting the roo came from the Prime Minister’s office.
“I guess my life is full of the engagements that politics brings and some are them are quite combative engagements,” she said.
“I don’t shy away from that. If there is something I hope I have done for the image of women in public life is that we can go into an adversarial environment like parliament and we can dominate it and conquer it.
“But that’s not all of me. (Knitting the kangaroo) is an opportunity to show a side of me. I can’t imagine Laurie Oakes saying: ‘hmmm, knitting patterns. What are you working on at the moment?’
“And in terms of knitting for Kate’s baby — I knit for babies — in part, because they are smaller projects, I’ve got not that much time in my life. You can get them done and there’s a sense of satisfaction in having completed it.
“I just thought it would be a cute project to work on.”
As to whether it’s Australia’s formal gift to the heir to the throne, Ms Gillard said: “I suspect our nation will probably do something a little more than a stuffed kangaroo,” but did not elaborate.
The interview took place at Kirribilli House, just seven days after a Newspoll showed support for the ALP had slumped to 29 per cent.
Ms Gillard nonetheless insisted that she would win the September 14 election, but could not name a seat that Labor will pick up.
“I can go through a list of seats but I believe we can win seats, the seats necessary to have a majority Labor government, and I would relish the opportunity to lead a majority Labor government,” she said.
“But we don’t telegraph … I have a battery of people who do this for me, and we don’t telegraph that clearly which ones we’ve got our eyes on but we’ve certainly got our eyes on running this election to win.”
Ms Gillard says the pleasure of knitting for the royal baby hadn’t shifted her opposition to the monarchy.
She still hopes Australia will be a republic one day.
“I do hope we become a republic,” she said. “I campaigned for a yes case. We will get there again. There is a real sense of respect for the queen, so I do think a natural moment to look again will be when her reign comes to an end.
“Prince William and Kate, and their child will still be personalities in Australia; people will still follow their lives with interest.”
Gillard confirmed that not all about life in the Lodge is rosy. In particular, she described the comments that feminist Germaine Greer made about her “fat arse” as both catty, and stupid.
It happened last March, when Dr Greer was a guest on the ABC’s QandA program. Panellists were talking about Ms Gillard’s image.
Dr Greer, who has devoted her life to feminist principles, including the idea that women should not be judged by appearance, derided the PM’s wardrobe, and said: “You’ve got a big arse, Julia, just get on with it.”
Ms Gillard told The Weekly that she thought Greer’s commentary “demeaned her more than it demeaned me”.
“It was just kind of dumb is the best reaction,” she said. “I do take a lot of pride in being someone who not only fought for equal opportunities for women.
“But for her, given everything she stands for, everything she would have inspired, I just thought it was stupid.”
Ms Gillard said people who “want to be stereotypical about women will look at that and say, ‘it just goes to show, it doesn’t matter if it’s a female prime minister and a feminist icon … they’re just as catty as the two women down the local coffee shop.’
“It frustrated me that her, or all people would catapult into that kind of conduct. I don’t want that to be the image of women.”
The interview took place after Gillard spent the morning in Sydney’s west, trying to rev up Labor candidates for the election.
The result, on election day, will be ruin.
The reasons for this are multitude: the failure of the mining tax to bring in any useful revenue; the discarded promise to return the Budget to surplus by 2013; the decision to introduce a carbon tax; the failure to halt the battalion of leaky boats bumping up against our borders; and to end to the dreaded “double-drop off” by building child care centres on school sites; the disastrous home insulation program; the collapse of Fuel Watch and Grocery Watch; the kamikaze decision to try to take on News Ltd in an election year; and on it goes.
There have been important victories, too: Australia is the only nation that did not slip into recession during the GFC; it has less debt than any comparable country; parental leave is in place, plus there’s the shining jewel that is DisabilityCare.
Ms Gillard said she had no regrets about calling the election so many months ago.
“Every time I pick up a newspaper and it’s got articles about our school agenda, even if they are articles I don’t agree with, every time that happens, I think to myself, gee, I’m glad I cleared all of that space got all that early election fever, to make sure we were talking about some of the big policy issues,” she says.
“Because I know even from the few short weeks I was Prime Minister before the 2010 election, I know how ridiculous this can be. People trying to chase the car I’m in, just in case I’m going to see the Governor-General.
“Poor old (political journalist) Kieren Gilbert from Sky (News), I thought he was going to be hospitalised if required to sit outside in the cold outside the Governor-General’s for any more hours.
“This is crazy. The debate about the election shouldn’t be about when it is, it should be about what future we are choosing for the nation when we vote.”
For the record, Gillard was in great shape, and she admitted to “feeling pretty good, physically. I have a personal trainer. Do a bit of yoga and boxing, not as much as I should. I love boxing … and no, there’s no truth in the rumour that we’ve got Tony Abbott’s face on the mitts.”
Read more of this story in the July issue of The Australian Women’s Weekly.
The Prime Minister’s decision to pose with her dog Reuben as she knits a gift for the royal baby has made headlines around the nation with the image splashed across the newspapers’ front pages and footage playing over and over on news bulletins.
It’s not the first time a Women’s Weekly story has made a splash.
The decision to put Julia Gillard on the cover when she became PM in 2010 ruffled some feathers and images of Cheryl Kernot draped in a feather boa haven’t been forgotten.
Here is a look back at some of the magazine’s memorable moments.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard on the inside pages of the July issue.
Cheryl Kernot posed for The Weekly in a feather boa in 1998.
Tony Abbot was photographed with his three daughters in 2010.
Julia Gillard made the cover in 2010 when she became Prime Minister.
In the interview she spoke of dating, drugs, and life with Tim.
Gillard also got glammed up for The Weekly in Christmas 2009. photographer / bauersyndication.com.au
We photographed Julia with her mother Moira for Mother’s day in 2006. photographer / bauersyndication.com.au
And with her partner Tim in 2007. photographer / bauersyndication.com.au
A nude cover shoot with Deborah Hutton got attention.
The 50-year-old’s decision to pose nude sparked debate.
Therese Rein gave insight into the Rudd marriage when her husband was Prime Minister.
Lindy Chamberlain’s interview was explosive.
Steve Irwin’s family’s final interview and pictures were published in a special tribute.
Delta Goodrem gave a revealing interview when she was suffering cancer.
Anna Murdoch spoke of life after Rupert.
Thredbo survivor Stuart Diver spoke to The Weekly.
While Kim Kardashian and Kanye West’s daughter’s name has been the punchline of jokes since it was announced, they say the name is metaphorical, not geographical.
“North” simply means “up”, the pair say, meaning that there is nothing better. “What’s north of north? Nothing,” Kimye said, according to a source who spoke to TMZ.
The name is said to represent the “pinnacle” of the couple’s relationship because they are at the height of happiness together.
While North will be called Nori for short, her parents also refer to her as their “North Star”.
But it seems Kim wasn’t a fan of the name at first. While Kanye threw the name North out there very early on, Kim told Jay Leno that the name was out of the question.
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