Firefly Lane
Kristin Hannah
Reviewed by Terry Studer
Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah is a breathtaking trip down memory lane.
From 70's teens to 80's young women these two girls have more than a
life time worth of memories both good and bad. The 90's usher in
permanent choices and the new millineum tumbles in with, "What did I do
with my life". The harsh realities of growing up aren't always kind.
Tully Hart is a product of the hippie era or as they say, "Sex, drugs
and Rock & Roll". Being torn between living with her grandparents
and the occasional pull from her freedom seeking, drug induced mom,
Tully lives life in not only the country lane but the fast lane.
Growing up this way is more than difficult, more like a spawning
tornado in the making. Determined, energetic, daring, unstoppable,
Tully plows through the years of her life at light speed not allowing
anything or anyone to slow her down. Drive and ambition get her what
she wants.
Katie Mularkey is ideal country girl. Kind, smart, geekie, with the
average girl look which puts her on the sidelines most of her life.
Paitience is a virtue and luckly for Katie she has a mountain of it.
They say, "Love is worth waiting for", and Katie is hoping beyond hope
that this is true. Standing in the shadow of her best friend is
difficult at best. Trying to meet her parents high expectations keeps
Katie from expressing what she truely feels and the knowledge of
disappointment should she choose her own path keeps her from making the
choices she would prefer.
These two young girls start out by meeting at the bus stop in 70's.
Disaster for Tully sends her to do what she would never do under normal
circumstances, she seeks out Katie for help, friendship and
understanding. The girls become one and a blood sister friendship
ensues to defy the odds and time.
Set upon a lifetime goal, both young women begin their college years
full tilt. Together in almost every aspect of their lives thus far,
they are the unstoppable "Firefly Lane Girls". Tully is reaching for
the stars and Katie is reaching for Tully. The 80's turn out to be full
of energy, excitement and wonder. Love affairs bloom, school and work
are full of surprises which creates a little rift but cannot penetrate
the tightness of Kate and Tully's bond.
The 90's cause a stampede of emotions the result of one catastrophe
after another for Katie making the bond stronger than ever between the
women. Nothing can stop Tully from being there for the one truely
important person in her life.
The new millineum comes in like a lamb and as each year passes, Katie
and Tully both wonder if they've really made the right lifetime
choices. What have they each missed out on with the choices they have
made and the age old question, "What If I chose the other path"? I
think we all question our choices as we begin to stare at the half
century mark in our lives. Maybe that's why we go through the change of
life. It's a time of reflection to see where we've been and where we
want to go.
The author is brilliant, knowledgeable and so full of passion that this
novel is like a spider's web. Delicate but strong, mesmerizing, deadly,
heart wrenchingly painful and just what a box of tissues is made for.
Like a masterpiece painting, each stroke of the authors pen makes us
look deep into the meaning of how fate really can be fickle.