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emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cancer, Death, Drug abuse, Miscarriage, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Miscarriage, Terminal illness
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Cancer, Drug use, Sexual assault, Death of parent
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Violence
Review of major world events from 1970-2010; depictions of war; sexual assault; minor mention of suicide; depictions of depression; major illness
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I found that Firefly Lane's plot and character development left a lot to be desired. I had decided to read it since the Netflix series is coming out soon and I am one of those people who will refuse to watch a show/see a movie for years until I read the book. It was okay, but I didn't love it as much as I had expected to.
This story portrays the friendship of Tully and Kate, two friends that meet during their teenage years in the ‘70s and remain friends throughout the decades into the 2000s. I didn’t feel particularly connected to either of these two main characters and was frustrated by the lack of character development throughout. They both kept making the same mistakes over and over and nothing really changed until the last few chapters. It felt like the glue holding together this friendship was time alone and not a deeper emotional bond.
Much like the only other Kristin Hannah novel I’ve read, The Nightingale, this book will likely bring a few tears to your eyes and take you on an emotional journey in the last 80 pages. However, for a 479 page book, I expected to feel some sort of connection to either character much sooner than that and ended this one on a note of disappointment.
This story portrays the friendship of Tully and Kate, two friends that meet during their teenage years in the ‘70s and remain friends throughout the decades into the 2000s. I didn’t feel particularly connected to either of these two main characters and was frustrated by the lack of character development throughout. They both kept making the same mistakes over and over and nothing really changed until the last few chapters. It felt like the glue holding together this friendship was time alone and not a deeper emotional bond.
Much like the only other Kristin Hannah novel I’ve read, The Nightingale, this book will likely bring a few tears to your eyes and take you on an emotional journey in the last 80 pages. However, for a 479 page book, I expected to feel some sort of connection to either character much sooner than that and ended this one on a note of disappointment.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cancer, Death
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This just solidifies Kristin Hannah in my top authors list. The amount of detail and emotion in the stories she writes make them so much richer and deeper. I flew through this book! While I do wish that the story slowed down at times, I understood that it was an overview of a few decades of friendship between two women. The friendship they have is so relatable on many levels; I saw many of my own friendships with friends from grade school, middle school, high school, and college reflected in this portrayal of friendship. I connected with both characters in different ways and cared for them and those in their lives deeply.
I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a character driven story about the realities of a long term friendship: the connections, heartbreaks, and endless memories. This isn't the most lighthearted read, so be prepared with some tissues by your side.
I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a character driven story about the realities of a long term friendship: the connections, heartbreaks, and endless memories. This isn't the most lighthearted read, so be prepared with some tissues by your side.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Rape
Moderate: Cancer, Death, Miscarriage