Apple Tree Yard

A Novel

De: Louise Doughty

Narrado por: Juliet Stevenson

An intelligent, erotically charged thriller with deep moral implications

Yvonne Carmichael, renowned geneticist, public authority, happily married mother of two, sits in the accused box. The charge is murder. Across the courtroom, not meeting her eye, sits her alleged accomplice. He wears the beautiful pin-striped suit he wore on their first meeting in the Houses of Parliament, when he put his hand on her elbow, guided her to a deserted and ancient chapel, and began to undress her. As the barrister’s voice grows low and sinuous, Yvonne realizes she’s lost herself and the life she’d built so carefully to a man who never existed at all.

After their first liaison, Yvonne’s lover tells her very little about himself, but she comes to suspect his secrecy has an explanation connected with the British government. So thrilled and absorbed is she in her newfound sexual power that she fails to notice the real danger about to blindside her from a seemingly innocuous angle. Then, reeling from an act of violence, Yvonne discovers that her desire for justice and revenge has already been compromised. Everything hinges on one night in a dark little alley called Apple Tree Yard.

©2013 Louise Doughty (P)2013 Canongate Books Ltd. in partnership with Faber and Faber Ltd. and used by arrangement, all rights reserved. Published by Brilliance Audio.

Really on the fence about this one

There were parts of this book that I really liked - mainly the narration, which is fantastic. And the writing is very good. But the main character is - I can't make up my mind. She's in her early fifties, and supposedly really accomplished...but. It's not that she does something sort of wild once; it's that she carries on - and what was wild once just becomes pretty stupid. I'm trying to avoid a spoiler here; so let's just say: What did she think was going on? I have a hard time buying that a supposedly intelligent person would get herself into this predicament. And, no, it's not the old 'you never really know anyone thing.' Because she doesn't even try to know. I mean, come on. Really? And by the end, honestly, she was getting on my nerves. On the other hand, I listened to the whole thing...

Brilliant narration helped curious book

I struggle with how to file away this book in my brain.....In some ways, this is a standard story where we are teased with the ending (we start knowing that the narrator Yvonne is in the dock charged with a crime) and then we are relayed the story of how an ordinary person got involved in problems and the criminal justice system. But in other ways, it's a complex story of how one decision can lead to a downward spiral out of control and turn a middle-class wife and mother into a person her friends and family wouldn't even recognize.

The thing I know for sure is that Juliet Stevenson did a wonderful job of narration; in fact, she was the prime reason I purchased this book in the first place. The writing is good (some of the courtroom scenes are very tense and difficult), and I actually liked the complexity of the narrator -- she seems very ordinary at first and probably thinks that of herself, but it's an illusion eventually made clear to all.

Wow

Surprised by how much this impacts the reader. Totally worth the journey. Really thought provoking. Loved the performance.

Innocence or Guilt?

Amazing psychological study of adultery and the dark secrets of the human heart ❤️

Brilliant in every way

As an (American) criminal defense lawyer, the courtroom scenes, which occupy a good portion of the book felt very real (with one exception towards the end).

The writing is deeply empathetic, vivid and gripping. The action is perfectly paced. Really insightful into the nature of being thrust into the criminal legal system, and what drives one into committing a murder, among other things.

I've read a lot of badly written thrillers - especially legal ones. John Grisham (at least the newer ones I've tried) is unbearable to me. Louise Doughty is excellent in every way.

And Juliet Stevenson - my God. every accent, every nuance and sigh - just perfect.

Couldn't stop listening!

If you could sum up Apple Tree Yard in three words, what would they be?

Psychological thriller.

What did you like best about this story?

The narration by Juliet Stevenson is incredible and really brought the protagonist, Yvonne, to life. I was on the "edge of my seat" most of the time. Although it presents as a thriller / crime / trial story, the poignant background of Yvonne, which is revealed as the story goes along, explains much about the plot developments.

Have you listened to any of Juliet Stevenson’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes, Persuasion. She is wonderful. Loved the Politician's Wife, too!

Juliet Stevenson makes every book great

The story is very compelling, and it has a few twists, one of which you don’t see coming. But it’s the narrator, Juliet Stevenson, who really brings the story to life, with numerous voice characterisations that never falter.

Oh my gosh that was amazing!

Wow such great writing and these characters!!!! Thru out the entire book there seemed like there was an ominous noir sensation and the tension, mystery, and ending absolutely do not disappoint. This will be one of the rare ones that I listen to again. Absolutely loved it!!

Narration was fantastic! At first I was a bit unsure but then I was so mesmerized by not only the story but how well Juliet Stevenson was able to lull me in!!

Strange Story, Brilliantly Done

Like many reviewers I had difficulty with the underlying assumption of the story but the writing and the narration were so good that it did not hinder my involvement. In fact I took it as a method for a good author to take a character and put her in an odd place to build the framework for the fiction.

If you like this book I recommend "Sweet Tooth" by Ian McEwan and also narrated by Juliet Stevenson. It seems almost like a sequel (or prequel).

Skillfully written - grim story

Had I known before hand what this novel was about I wouldn’t have read it. Disturbing, raw humanity portrayed in all its ugly mess - how our imperfections in deceit, our ability to rationalize our actions, our vanity, desires, brutality, and our clawing need to have everything that will make us feel whole, needed, superior, victimized, survivors, and the rest of the gambit of what it is to be human. Victim blaming as one of lawyers greedy gleeful tactics… pretty disgusting. All that said, it was very skillfully written - just not my cup of tea.