Firefly Lane

A Novel

By: Kristin Hannah

Narrated by: Susan Ericksen

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)

Oh my heart

This was my first Kirsten Hannah novel and I already know she's going to be a forever favorite. The ride of life, love, and friendship was everything I didn't know I wanted. I was reminded of that finally scene between Dawson and Joey "what we have goes beyond friendship" soul mates.

Light but Enjoyable

Thin at times, not the greatest character development (and a little hokey at some points), but Hannah is a lovely writer and I really enjoyed listening to the story. Predictable but engaging.

perfect book for adult female friendships

I loved this book from start to finish, I watched the show on netflix and fell in love with that, and needed more! So I purchased the book. Wow is all I can say, I needed this book at this time in my life as I am in a time in my life when adult female friendships ebb and flow. I laughed, I cried, I reminisced about my past, and dreamed of my future with my current GF's.

Can’t wait to tell everyone about this book !

Fist time listening to a Kristin Hannah and I can’t wait for the next one!
Will be buying this book for my sister!!

One of the best stories I ever heard

So much of the interplay and fighting between Mother and daughter reminded me so much of what my Wife and Daughter went through and how I always seemed to come out of the fights “unscathed” always annoys my Wife. This book, more than anything, is a testament to how a good friendship goes a long way to helping people cope with the curves thrown at you and how love binds us all.

Loved this story so much!

As a child of the 70s and 80s, I can relate to this story on so many levels. It’s been a long time since a book or audio book made me laugh and cry and feel like I knew the characters personally. My new favorite. Well done!

Girlfriends

A story about a strong female friendship. So alive and real; a fun book to read. I did not want to stop listening. I wish there were more books on the strong bonds of women friendship.

Beautiful read and written.

Loved this book! If you're a woman with a long time childhood best friend this is the book for you. The narrator is consistent with voices and there is even some nostalgic music from each decade. I lost interest somewhere in the second part briefly but was immediately drawn back in right up to the end. such a strong and heartwarming story.

Loved it!

Beautiful story of friendship, life's journey and love. I loved it...tears & all! It's a great reminder of what is important.

My opinion!

I have read the reviews for this book and find that they are just opinions. Well my opinion is this it is an incredible take on the life of two women. I can relate to each decade and loved every moment of the book. It took me back in time and not once was I bored. Love, happiness, jealousy and pain we have all been there.