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)

Tear jerking

when I first listened to this book I thought I knew how it was going to end. I was wrong very wrong and it touched me to the core. I too have brushed cancer and have found children an older daughter and two little boys. I almost couldn't get through the last chapters. Kristen has such a way with words I truly felt all the emotions she wrote I felt like this was me in the story. and how this book was read with beautiful. I loved the quiet voices like you were talking on the telephone it really drew you in great job.

One of my favorites

Yes, this was a long story. However, it was so beautifully told, I was happy to listen to every minute.

Friendship Goals

This one put you through an emotional wringer! Loved being able to follow their friendship and hearing the story from both sides! I was looking forward to the TV show but not sure I want to cry that hard again! Loved it!

Must Read

absolutely amazing! couldn't stop listening! so much better than the Netflix series! well done Kristin!

HIGHLY, ENTHUSIASTICALLY RECOMMEND!

I was blown away by this book. The characters were so well developed that they became my close friends living across the street and I was invited by them to go on all their memorable adventures. My heart beat along with theirs. Their friendship and devotion to each other was deep and beautiful. I visited through decades of their different lives, yet bonded together. Best friends forever. You will not regret reading this marvelous novel.

Wasn’t prepared for ending

The book is excellent - taking you richly through the lives of two friends. However I was not emotionally prepared for the story ending. Personally having stage 4 cancer and not a strong personal support system, the ending really depressed me. Still a book I would recommend.

Now I'm an addict of Kristin Hannah

I am ashamed to say, I watched the TV series before I knew about the book. It offered a visual aide, but man, this book, I couldn't put it down. (So to speak) The plot was what drew me in, for I have family in Washington State, and we visit there every year. And the decades of music is perfect. The end had me sobbing, like ugly sobbing that you have to be by yourself for. So keep that in mind.

Emotional and Captivating

Beautifully written captivating story that you can tell from the beginning will have you wishing for a sequel. I bawled my eyes out the last 2 hours of this book but it was so worth it.

Heart-renching

I loved this book so much! Everything about it was simply perfect! I cried like a baby! One of the best books I've listen to EVER! Narration was amazing too!

excellent!!

Best book so far for 2021 reading for me! excellent writing. Love the development of the characters.