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)

great author

Kristen Hannah is one of my favorite authors. this book is so real, very sad. I too was a child of the 70s. Thank you for continuing to write books. this is the second time I relistened to this book. Painfully sad, as are most of Hannah's books.

I really enjoyed it

I enjoyed the story and it did keep me thinking. You really get to know the characters.

Love this book, so touching & captivating

This was a great listen. Spanning decades, and captivating it all love, family and friendship.

Beautiful story

…and wonderfully narrated about the compilations, difficulties and very special value of love friendship and family… a very special read…

Wonder listen

Loved the story of friendship, love , and living life. We all need each other in so many different ways. Reach out to those u love.

Love the friendship!

Good read, enjoyable and love watching Netflix to compare stories. The friendship is compelling with a gut wrenching ending.

Enjoyed every minute.

Well written. Easy to listen to. I truly enjoyed following the story of Kate and Tully. ❤️

Loved it

Loved it!! Great story of true friendship!! Great read!! I wish I had a friendship like that or similar to!!

Great read for you and your best friend

This story is funny, emotional, and stayed with me long after finishing the story. There are a lot of wonderful lessons in the story, too. I too am lucky to still have a close friend of 48 years that I met in junior high. we talk every week and try to see each other often. the story has reminded me of that friendship and how lucky I am to still have it. Wonderful story, read or listen to it you won't be sorry.

LOVED THIS!

I listened to this more than any other audiobook. Just couldn’t walk away from it. ❤️