Firefly Lane: A NovelPaperback

When I began reading "Fire Fly Lane," I almost tossed it aside as fodder for another chick flick. It was a book club assignment; no need to torture myself. But I gave it a second chance and discovered a poignant story of a lifelong friendship between two women beginning when they were teenagers and following the ups and downs that most people face in one form or another. The effects of family dynamics on how children develop and handle the vagaries of life show the differences between Kate and Tully and their choices of life styles, their values, and what they contribute to their relationship and relationships with others.

Tully's mother deserts her at birth, then drifts in and out of her life, each time heaping devastation on her. The one constant is her grandmother, who raised her most of her life. In contrast, Kate is raised in a loving family. Tully never overcame the scars of childhood, even though Kate's family took her in and treated her as one of their own. They were, however, primarily responsible for her success in life, though that success came at great personal cost, and almost finished off her friendship with Kate. The strong work ethic she developed over time paid off in a big way

Tully's dream was to become a reporter and eventually a network news anchor. She planned her life and Kate's, too. They were to be the dream team dream. Bigger than life Tully dragged an increasingly ambivalent Kate along, setting the stage for a life of disappointment and betrayal for Kate as Tully became taken by the story at the expense of the subjects. She became more successful as she vied for the man Kate loved. Through Kate's meteoric rise to fame, she unabashedly used Kate for a story with no regard for feelings, seriously jepordizing the friendship. Each time, Tully talked Kate into taking her back--never apologizing and somehow turning it around so that Kate was the one apologizing instead of Tully. One thing Kate never forgot, however, was that Tully was once involved with her husband. And that strand of uncertainty threads through the story, appears and disappears.

Tully never changes, never apologizes for who she is. Then a sudden twist turns all their lives upside down. All the old fears and insecurities rise to the surface. Tully is thrown together with Kate and her family. Kate's daughter, who idolizes Tully, causes problems when Tully, her godmother, lavishes expensive gifts on her and disagrees with Kate over discipline issues. The result is powerful and tears at the very fabric of their lives. These old insecurities Tully has from childhood are met with a Kate who no longer stays in the background but stands up to her. The explosive ending changes everything and forces them to reassess their lives and what they all mean to each other.

The characters are three dimensional and believable reflect reflection of life. Everyone can identify with something in the book. The pathos of growing up in Tully's home, the contrasting loving home in which Kate grew up. The give and take--the mostly take on Tully's side and her neediness. The choices each of them made and the cost in life terms because of those choices. "Firefly Lane" explores the inner depth of the human spirit and the strength it has when dealt a bad hand--the resilience of the spirit, and the strength of friendship when tested under the worst of circumstances. For this, I recommend it as a five star read. Give it a chance. If you put it down too soon, you'll miss out on a truly heart rending commentary on human feelings and emotions--the ability to sieze the best and find that that extrordinary fount of courage within to handle the worst that life throws at us. I am glad I kept reading. When I neared the end, I had to put it down for several days before I could finish it. Without realizing it, I had made an emotional investment in the characters and needed time to step back for awhile. That was a first. Something about "Firefly Lane" resonated in me.

Leave it to Kristin Hannah to leave me laughing then crying all within the pages of one book, again! Firefly Lane was a trip down memory lane for me. I grew up and was the exact age Kate and Tully were in 1974, so the songs, the lingo, the clothes and the times were all my memories brought back to life. My thoughts and feelings were all over the place while I read this wonderful book. The seventies were a crazy, mixed up time to be a teen and Hannah brought it to life again brilliantly. I could almost feel the angst of my teen years all over again and the despair of not being old enough, but thinking I was so grown up!

Tully and Kate couldn't be more different, but when Tully moves in across the street from Kate in 1974 Kate's world will never be the same. Kate is not in the popular group, which as you know is a death sentence in middle school. Tully is new to town and she's different, which makes her a novelty and an instant popular girl. Kate is curious and watches her house with wonder. One night purely by accident after a tragic event Tully runs into Kate and they strike up a conversation. Tully shares her traumatic incident with Kate and the bond of friendship is formed with the secret. They are now and forever best friends and become known as TullyandKate.

Kate's mom is a typical stay at home mom who works hard to keep her children on the right path. She's always doing what's best for her children and worries Tully may be a bad influence on her daughter. Tully's mom is an alcoholic and drug addict who barely knows her daughter exists. Tully has no relationship with her and is shuffled back and forth to her grandmother's house whenever her mom decides to just leave, with no explanation. Tully is always hoping for more from her mom, but her mom doesn't have the capacity to care. Kate's family eventually rushes in to help Tully and opens up her world to what family really means.

The two girls, now women go their separate ways after college. Tully is all about her career in journalism and gaining fame and wealth, Kate on the other hand enjoys writing, but quietly wants love, marriage and children, not the most popular choice for women in the 80's, but it is what it is. She begins working with Tully in the journalism field, but her heart is not in it. Tully goes on to become a national star in the news world and Kate settle down to become a wonderful wife and mother, with all the challenges and joys that brings.

This book really got to me. I don't cry over books, until now. I saw myself so much in this book it was scary. I was a fourteen year old, as Tully and Kate were in 1974 when the world seemed so hard for a teen, when every decision seemed to be so big and came with such consequences that you second guessed every one. The songs Hannah mentioned, the foods she brought up and even the language the girls spoke were the ones I knew and spoke myself. I had a best friend that I got into "trouble" with, I drove my mother to distraction, I pushed every limit and I survived. I'm sorry to say I lost contact with my best friend after college, but this was part of the reason for my tears. I missed out on the rest of what could have been a lifetime of memories with her. I did reach out to her on FB after I read the book, still waiting to hear back. Another amazing part of the book, for me anyway is the unsung heroes, stay at home moms! If you've raised a teen daughter or are in the process of doing so, CONGRATULATIONS! When my daughter was a teen I was sure she was abducted by aliens and replaced with a being I did not know! It was the most challenging time of motherhood for me. I worked full time while raising children, but I admire women who choose to be full time moms, I couldn't do it. It's ten times harder than going to work everyday! They all deserve medals and hazard pay!

If you've ever had a best friend who has been there through thick and thin, has been your secret keeper, your dance partner, or even your therapist this one is for you. If you've raised a teen girl and think it's just you or your daughter, this one's for you. And if you want a book that will take you on a journey through every emotion you can feel, this one's for you. It's a masterpiece of love, friendship, family, hardship, redemption and hope and I loved every single word. I've loved Kristin Hannah for years and always find her books to be moving, with each one better than the last. This one really got to me and I can't wait to read the sequel! It was so fitting that I finished it on the first day of the new year, it just seemed like the perfect look back on my memories to get a better understanding of why I am who I am in this time and I am reminded that I too was once a teenage girl who drove her mother nuts! Happy Reading!