Firefly Lane

A Novel

By: Kristin Hannah

Narrated by: Susan Ericksen

Length: 17 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's summary

From the New York Times bestselling author of On Mystic Lake comes a powerful novel of love, loss, and the magic of friendship....

In the turbulent summer of 1974, Kate Mularkey has accepted her place at the bottom of the eighth-grade social food chain. Then, to her amazement, the "coolest girl in the world" moves in across the street and wants to be her friend. Tully Hart seems to have it all - beauty, brains, ambition. On the surface they are as opposite as two people can be: Kate, doomed to be forever uncool, with a loving family who mortifies her at every turn. Tully, steeped in glamour and mystery, but with a secret that is destroying her. They make a pact to be best friends forever; by summer's end they've become TullyandKate. Inseparable.

So begins Kristin Hannah's magnificent new novel. Spanning more than three decades and playing out across the ever-changing face of the Pacific Northwest, Firefly Lane is the poignant, powerful story of two women and the friendship that becomes the bulkhead of their lives.

From the beginning, Tully is desperate to prove her worth to the world. Abandoned by her mother at an early age, she longs to be loved unconditionally. In the glittering, big-hair era of the eighties, she looks to men to fill the void in her soul. But in the buttoned-down nineties, it is television news that captivates her. She will follow her own blind ambition to New York and around the globe, finding fame and success...and loneliness.

Kate knows early on that her life will be nothing special. Throughout college, she pretends to be driven by a need for success, but all she really wants is to fall in love and have children and live an ordinary life. In her own quiet way, Kate is as driven as Tully. What she doesn't know is how being a wife and mother will change her...how she'll lose sight of who she once was, and what she once wanted. And how much she'll envy her famous best friend....

For thirty years, Tully and Kate buoy each other through life, weathering the storms of friendship - jealousy, anger, hurt, resentment. They think they've survived it all until a single act of betrayal tears them apart...and puts their courage and friendship to the ultimate test.

Firefly Lane is for anyone who ever drank Boone's Farm apple wine while listening to Abba or Fleetwood Mac. More than a coming-of-age novel, it's the story of a generation of women who were both blessed and cursed by choices. It's about promises and secrets and betrayals. And ultimately, about the one person who really, truly knows you - and knows what has the power to hurt you...and heal you. Firefly Lane is a story you'll never forget...one you'll want to pass on to your best friend.

©2008 by Kristin Hannah. (P)2007 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

"Susan Ericksen gives an outstanding performance of the thirty-year friendship between Kate Mularkey and Tully Hart." (AudioFile)

Real

It was so real! I saw myself my mom my daughter and granddaughters through out.

Couldn’t stop listening!

The story and storytelling were impeccable- highly recommend to anyone in search of a story of friendship and life.

I'm the third BFF with Tully and Kate

swept up immediately into each of their life experiences. Wonderfully funny, sad, heartfelt

Broke my heart

It touched me in so many ways,made me laugh and cry. I loved it

Loved it!

I loved this book. Kristin Hannah is one of my favorite authors. Thanks for the smiles and tears with this one.

Loved it!!!

This was a great story of friends. I could only wish I had a close friendship like Kate and Tully had.

Loved it

I’ve seen the TV show on Netflix and loved the story line… I am so glad I read the book though! There are some significant differences, for sure. My favorite one is the relationship of Katie and Johnny! I love them… in the book, Tully was a little less endearing as in the show. She annoyed me more!
Love the book!!!

best story ever

best story ever. Must read. lost in tears and sad it’s over. Girl friends are forever

Recommend to anyone struggling with grief

I wasn’t sure if I should pick up this book due to my anxiety and grief over losing my own best friend to cancer… but I’m happy I did.

Because it reminded me of all those emotions that still linger after watching my own Kate battle and lose but it reminded me that love goes on forever and ever even when the “physical” is gone.

So while I cried at the end (especially the part where Tully is reading the note from Katie) it was one of those refreshing, rejuvenating cries that is part sadness and part relieving and comforting.

Best friends forever ❤️

Best fiction Narration I've heard thus far

I took a chance on this audio book after being so touched & moved by the netflix series and as always The book is far more poignant than the show and far more meaningful. If you've ever deeply loved someone, Whether it be a friend, loved one Or a lover, give this a listen and let it swell your heart.