Firefly Lane: The Journey of Two Best Friends

    


Firefly Lane 
By Ceyda Urcan
(This review talks about later events in the book which may count as spoilers to some) 


I haven’t read many novels so I can’t claim to be a master in the subject but Firefly Lane truly stuck with me. Firefly Lane is a 2008 novel written by Kristen Hannah. The novel tells the story of Kate and Tully. The story is set in the summer of 1974 when eighth-grader Kate decides to officially accept the fact that she will always be an outcast at the bottom of the social ladder. That is until the popular, trendy, and endlessly cool Tallulah Hart moves on next door and claims she wants to be Kate’s friend. This is the start of a decades-long friendship. 


Firefly Lane is a truly beautiful story between flawed characters. Kate supports Tully as her best friend but also can’t help feeling jealous. Tully stands out, Tully always catches everyone’s eyes while Kate is left in a shadow much too big to see over. However, she is able to find her own strengths that help her escape from this shadow. For example, her knack for writing. Tully is also an equally flawed and fleshed-out character. Tully has a perfect facade but her home life isn’t the best. Between a nonexistent dad and a drug addict mother with a habit of child abandonment, Tully doesn’t have any reliable close family. This leads to her staying with Kate’s family while she picks up the broken shambles of her life and slowly starts to put it back together. However, similar to Kate, Tully found a talent, a purpose in journaling. Despite going down different paths, Tully and Kate are together through it all. 


Tully and Kate’s friendship is still going strong after they graduate college. Tully finds a job as an intern at a local news station and even finds a job for Kate too. This is when a fork forms as Tully and Kate realize that they have different dreams in life. Kate wants to fall in love, settle down, maybe even have children. Tully, however, wants more, she wants to rise higher on the journalistic ladder. The women lead very different lives but their friendship never breaks. While it may at times falter and trip, it has never through all the years been shattered.
 
Firefly Lane is one of the first novels I have ever read and it was a truly unforgettable experience. I will remember the strength of Tully and Kate’s bond for many years whenever I see the cover of this book. Watching Tully and Kate supporting each other and helping to cement each other’s cracks was almost magical. The fact that these two completely ordinary girls could form a bond so tight made for an inspirational and enlightening read. I recommend anyone looking for a story of friendship between two real and raw characters read Firefly Lane. Also, I recommend you bring some tissues because you are in for a ride. 
 


Comments

  1. Ana OlsonMarch 21, 2022 at 6:38 AM

    I have read a different book by Kristen Hannah before and loved the writing style. This book sounds really interesting and I'll definitely check it out.
    -Ana :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. LeylaMay 9, 2022 at 1:40 PM

    I've come across this TV series before on Netflix, but I haven't gotten the chance to watch it yet. I am happy to know it was originally a book, and it seems very exciting and heartwarming from your captivating description! I'll definitely consider reading this soon, and then possibly see how the novel translates to the screen. I always find it interesting to analyze book vs movie type situations, and its fun to see how an on screen deliverance of a plot or story can hit differently than reading one on paper.

    ReplyDelete

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