The Narrative: Two Women, Two Lives, One Ending

by P.J. Kelly

The Wheatbelt town of Kilgarry doesn’t like change. So, when graduate teacher Amy Hansen arrives with her city-girl attitude, friction grows quickly. The male population either want to marry her... or run her out of town!

Twelve-year-old student Leah Hargreaves comes from farming royalty. To Amy, the narrative she writes in class is a cry for help, emanating from a place deep inside her... a place damaged and laden with fear.

Distrusted and harassed by the very people who are supposed to protect them, Amy and Leah come out fighting, turning life in Kilgarry into a battle zone that is both explosive and corrosive. Keeping their sanity will be hard enough. Delivering justice when the laws are so easily manipulated, might just prove to be impossible...

386 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 27, 2023

About the author

PJ Kelly is a primary school teacher who lives and works in Perth, Western Australia. He has a wife and two sons and continues to travel widely, always looking for a new place to include in his next novel.

PJ is very passionate about his teaching career and believes that all children have the right to feel safe and be free from harm. It was from the strength of these convictions that his first novel 'The Good Teacher' was originally born. A similar vein runs through his second novel 'The Narrative', this time focusing on the role of teachers in preventing child abuse and the many obstacles that lay in wait for those who try to prevail over evil.

PJ has a Bachelor of Arts Degree as well as a Diploma in Education. This is his second novel. You can follow PJ's career at;
www.thegoodteachernovel.com
www.facebook.com/goodteachers/
and on Instagram at; the good teacher

Reviews

[Sharon Baron-Hay · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Narrative is a real thought provoking book which challenges the reader out of their comfort zone. The characters are so realistic, it's scary at times. Principal Barlow let's hope there isn't too many of him around. I loved the European villages which PJ Kelly brings to life. A great read you won't want to put down..

[Carla Black · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. I liked the book. The storyline of the book was good, just all the rambling on descriptions made it a long read. Took me 3 days to read it. The story is about a caring teacher and a suspected abuse to one of her students. In a small town where everyone knows everyone and things get swept under the rug and kept quiet and a cover up begins. (Let's say I know this small town, I live in one just like it.) The book covers what happened when the teacher reported it, doing her job correctly. And what happens afterward throughout the life of the teacher and her student. Then eight years later another report of sexual abuse from 3 women on the girls father and an ensuing court hearing. This brings the teacher, the student, and all the players of the cover-up back to the forefront. The question being... do the women get justice or do they get no justice from the 'good ol' boy' system?? Yet again. You'll have to read to find out. Great story, great writing. Just needs to be reduced and refined a little bit better. I will say the book brought back memories of the past, and did pull at some of my triggers. Not my favorite book, but not the worst I've read either.

[Chelsea Crowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

PJ Kelly's second novel, The Narrative, is a compelling read, which instantly captured my attention and had me eagerly turning the pages. I found myself quickly invested in the lives of the two young women, taking an emotional journey alongside them both, in their quest for forgiveness and redemption. Congratulations to PJ Kelly on another fine novel!

[Aimee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won’t a free Kindle e-book from Goodreads.
The Narrative grabbed by the first chapter. I could not put the darn book down. There were parts I was getting angry at the lack of attention it was not getting from the proper people. But I realized this is true life and it’s being brought to attention. It’s always sad to see anyone having to get attention for the justice they deserve. But I loved that it forced them to confront issues head one and then start the journey of healing. It was just full of raw emotions and really good characters! Must read everyone!!!

[Julie Kleckner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Expertly written story

This is a tough subject matter to read about and very sad circumstances surrounding any justice for the acts. I found myself getting angry about the lack of action but realize thus is pretty typical for these crimes. This kept me reading though, very well written.

[Lorraine · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Goodreads Giveaway!
Part one of this book was excellent, unfortunately the rest became more disjointed, and too many people involved and ended in alive story for everyone!
Two Women, Two Lives, become many people and many endings!
I did enjoy reading the book but it would have been better to have focused on two!

[Kimberley H · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sensitive story about cover ups and the impact on mandated reporters, as well as the victim. Each forced to rewrite a narrative for living in the aftermath. Brought together to confront issues head on and heal along the way.

[Tahryn Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Narrative is the first book I’ve struggled to put down. So many raw emotions poured over me whilst reading it. It is an amazing story and great characters. A fantastic book! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Michele Usher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Serious issue, very worthy of more attention and action. The novel just not so believable a little OTT for me.

[Jonelle Carlsson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t put the book down and I didn’t want the story to end.
Such an easy read, love the short chapters and can’t wait for the next book

[Carol-Ann Infante · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, and am grateful to authors like PJ Kelly for bringing up this sensitive topic. After loving The Good Teacher, I look forward to your next one.

[Kerry Taggart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t put it down. Read it in one day. Awesome 💖💖💖💖💖

[Briana Tinsley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story but lots of spelling and grammatical errors. Overall good story though.

[Hai · Rating 2 out of 5]

Won a copy of The Narrative in a giveaway, and it was a thought provoking, serious plot that was unfortunately marred by its disjointed pacing and a rather strong case of "woman written by a man."