Jenny Tomlinson has complex feelings about her unusual childhood in England. She is teaching at a school in Australia, when memories of traumatic events, also concerning a dear friend Terry, surface, become obtrusive and begin to threaten her emotional wellbeing. She knows she needs to examine them further and, on returning home, her subsequent quest to prove Terry innocent has unexpected repercussions.
This authentic and moving novel explores the psychological fallout from false accusations - on both the victims and the accusers - and the power of perseverance, forgiveness and love.
A deftly woven tale of memory, trauma, accusations and redemption in the hands of an extremely talented author.
Pauline James has drawn on personal experience and academic learning in this novel. Like Jenny, she was once a chemistry teacher who also grew up in similar circumstances. She too experienced a trauma linked to false accusations, though, for her, this occurred in adulthood. In Australia, she studied educational psychology at the University of Queensland, later becoming a teacher educator in Melbourne. Her medal-winning PhD from La Trobe University explored personal change in beginning teachers and, after joining the University of Melbourne, she undertook further research exploring people’s emotions and coping strategies during periods of challenge.
Though written as an entertaining page-turner, this is an intelligent, perceptive book of considerable psychological depth.
Because of the author’s unusual background, the book often uses powerful, unconventional imagery.
While written solely from the main character’s perspective, the book successfully juggles emotional expression, description, insight and ideas.
The book has a strong, convincing plot, yet its compelling themes also bind the story together.
"... I cannot recommend this book more highly - just start reading it - you will not be disappointed! I just loved it - Thank you Pauline - please write a sequel!" Goodread review
"...Thank you Pauline for providing such enjoyment. I thoroughly enjoyed reading your work, and highly recommend it to others." Goodread review
"...This is a a really good read for an overseas trip and anyone who has experienced the English countryside (or who is looking forward to it) will relish Pauline James writing style which offers the reader strong visual settings. Highly recommended!" Goodread review
"A very intelligent and perceptive book that examines the way past traumatic experiences can come back to haunt us later in life." Goodread review
"A wonderful book full of interesting characters and a great story line that kept me riveted! Looking forward to reading the sequel!" Amazon
"This discerning book called Disturbing the Dust by Pauline James is typically set in an Australian environment without any ambiguity. Although the term itself might render itself ambiguous, pertaining to both a state of mind and the dusty continent of Australia, however, its most attractive quality is the universal appeal, honed over many years of learning, which is its clarity of writing. As far as the theme goes, it is yet another human drama perhaps, with exponential distribution of drudgery of our existence, reflected by Jennys character. Those experiences in England contributing to a deteriorated mental health condition. Nonetheless, the books uniqueness lies in its apt use of powerful and unconventional images unfolding a convincing, robust tale." Amazon
