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)

Friendship

The end was kind of lame relative to everything that happened in the beginning and middle of the book

Poignant Story of Love and Friendship

Being a child of the ‘70’s and ‘80’s, this story touched so many chords with me. I recognized the clothes, the music, and the themes as if I were there. I love Kristin Hannah’s stories, and she doesn’t disappoint with this one. Be sure to have your tissues handy for the last 90 minutes.

Smiles & Tears...

...often at the same time. Absolutely worthy of your time. This novel is touching & one I will not soon forget.

Nostalgic read

The storyline flowed through my mind picking up memories along the way. The yo-yo of best friends’ relationships had me crying at times. I remember them well — and remember explaining these friendship breaks to my teenage daughter. I enjoyed the story — and the trip down memory lane was fun. I recommend this book.

Beaches

Storyline similar to 80s movie “Beaches.”
I didn’t hate it but it was predictable.
“She didn’t want to wake the night nurse” what?! In what hospital do nurses get to sleep. I want a job there.

Better than the Netflix version

Loved it so much better than the Netflix version. Of course Hollywood has to add in homosexuality when it’s not necessary they made the daughter be gay they made the brother be gay they are not in her book. I appreciate that. It was true friendship made me reflect on my own friendships through life. I love it Kristin Hannah keep writing love it.

Friendship forever

I loved the entire story. There was never a lapse or a dull moment. You can feel the love and pain Tully and Kate experienced throughout their journeys together and separately

Soul Mate Friendship

Another beautiful but sad story by Kristin Hannah of 2 woman that are completely opposite becoming the best of friends for life through all the obstacles they faced. I give this 1 5 stars.

The realistic ups and downs of life long friendship

This book is heartbreakingly fantastic. If you’re a Washington native, you’ll enjoy the references to the location and the events going on at the time!

strength of characters

the book was a true test of faith with friends and family atanding by each other forever