Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah Book Review

Have you ever read a book that has left an impression on your heart so strong that it lingers in your thoughts days and weeks after you close the cover? If not, then ‘Firefly Lane’ by Kristin Hannah should be the next novel on your bookshelf. This compelling story paints a vivid picture of two best friends and their complicated bond that spans more than three decades. Through heart-wrenching ups and downs, readers will find themselves captivated from start to finish with this poignant tale of life’s joys, sorrows and everything in between.

Click me to go to my Review

Synopsis

Now a major Netflix series, Firefly Lane is an unforgettable coming of age story about friendship and betrayal, by the bestselling author of The Four Winds, The Nightingale and Winter Garden, Kristin Hannah

It is 1974 and the summer of love is drawing to a close. Kate Mularkey has accepted her place at the bottom of the secondary school social food chain. Then, to her amazement, Tully Hart – the girl all the boys want to know – moves in across the street and wants to be her best friend. Tully and Kate became inseparable and by summer’s end they vow that their friendship will last forever.

For thirty years Tully and Kate buoy each other through life, weathering the storms of friendship, jealousy, anger, hurt and resentment. Tully follows her ambition to find fame and success. Kate knows that all she wants is to fall in love and have a family. What she doesn’t know is how being a wife and a mother will change her.

They think they’ve survived it all until a single act of betrayal tears them apart. But when tragedy strikes, can the bonds of friendship survive? Or is it the one hurdle that even a lifelong friendship cannot overcome?

About The Author

Kristin Hannah is the award-winning and bestselling author of more than 20 novels including the international blockbuster, The Nightingale, which was named Goodreads Best Historical fiction novel for 2015 and won the coveted People’s Choice award for best fiction in the same year. It was named a Best Book of the Year by Amazon, iTunes, Buzzfeed, the Wall Street Journal, Paste, and The Week. In 2018, The Great Alone became an instant New York Times #1 bestseller and was named the Best Historical Novel of the Year by Goodreads.

The Four Winds was published in February of 2021 and immediately hit #1 on the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Indie bookstore’s bestseller lists. Additionally, it was selected as a book club pick by the both Today Show and The Book Of the Month club, which named it the best book of 2021.

The Nightingale is currently in production at Tri Star, with Dakota and Elle Fanning set to star. Tri Star has also optioned The Great Alone and it is in development. Firefly Lane, her beloved novel about two best friends, was the #1 Netflix series around the world, in the week it came out. The popular tv show stars Katherine Heigl and Sarah Chalke and Season Two is currently set to conclude the series on April 27, 2023.

A former attorney, Kristin lives in the Pacific Northwest.

My Review

Firefly Lane is a captivating novel by Kristin Hannah that tells the story of the lifelong friendship between two women, Kate Mularkey and Tully Hart. The story spans three decades, beginning in the 1970s when the two girls first meet as teenagers in Firefly Lane, a suburban neighbourhood in Washington State.

Kate is a shy, awkward girl who struggles to fit in with her peers, while Tully is confident, outgoing, and ambitious. Despite their differences, the two girls form an instant bond and become inseparable friends. The novel follows their friendship through the ups and downs of their lives, including their struggles with family issues, relationships, and career paths.

One of the strengths of Firefly Lane is the way in which it captures the changing social and cultural landscape of America over the course of several decades. The novel offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of the 1970s, with its political and social upheavals, as well as the changing role of women in society. As the novel progresses into the 1980s and beyond, Kristin Hannah deftly captures the impact of technological advancements and shifting cultural values on the lives of her characters.

Kristin Hannah’s writing is emotional and immersive, drawing the reader into the world of Kate and Tully and making them feel like they are a part of their lives. The characters are well-developed, with both Kate and Tully being portrayed as complex individuals with their own strengths and weaknesses. Their friendship is beautifully portrayed, with the ups and downs that come with any long-lasting relationship.

Firefly Lane is also a poignant exploration of the challenges and joys of womanhood, with Hannah tackling issues such as motherhood, infertility, career aspirations, and the difficult choices that women often have to make in their lives. The novel is a testament to the enduring power of female friendships, and the importance of having someone to rely on through life’s ups and downs.

Firefly Lane also deals sensitively with some of the most difficult aspects of life, such as illness, loss, and grief. These themes are woven seamlessly into the narrative, adding depth and emotional resonance to the story. Kristin Hannah’s writing is both lyrical and raw, capturing the complexities of human emotion in a way that is both honest and heartfelt. I cried more at the end of this novel than I have any other in quite some time!

In conclusion, Firefly Lane is a masterful work of fiction that is both engaging and thought-provoking. Kristin Hannah’s skilful storytelling and richly drawn characters make for a novel that is impossible to put down. It is a testament to the enduring power of female friendship, and a celebration of the joys and challenges of life. Highly recommended for anyone who loves a good story that will touch their heart and stay with them long after the final page.

Rated