Fly Away: The Emotional Sequel to the Netflix Series Firefly Lane

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Once, a long time ago, I walked down a night-darkened road called Firefly Lane, all alone, on the worst night of my life, and I found a kindred spirit. That was our beginning. More than thirty years ago. TullyandKate. You and me against the world. Best friends forever. But stories end, don't they? You lose the people you love and you have to find a way to go on. . . . Tully Hart has always stopped at nothing to achieve success and get what she wants in life. Now, after the recent events that occurred in her life, she feels lost and broken. Sinking into depression, she abuses alcohol and prescription drugs...and has lost everything after walking away from her TV show. Because I didn't care for this story I awarded it 2** I am so sorry Ms. Hannah I didn't enjoy this book, but that doesn't mean I will stop reading your books, I am looking forward to reading the next book you release. I realize you can't please me every time, however, I will keep reading if you keep writing. Patricia MacLachlan has had a way of turning out books like Fly Away on a dizzyingly frequent basis, often two or three times each year. The stories are sweet and homey, filled with real people who act like the ones we're friends with or have in our families. These people have flaws, but are usually big-hearted, too, even if their hurts have eclipsed the expression of that big-heartedness temporarily. The children created by Patricia MacLachlan are keenly observant of the wondrous, complex world around them, not taking for granted what it has to offer, but still very much children, young and flighty and wanting to have a good time, especially with loved ones. Like the author's Newbery Medal-winning Sarah, Plain and Tall, Fly Away isn't a long novel, but its meaning will linger on in the reader a while after the story has been finished. It is this particular gift for storytelling that Patricia MacLachlan has long used to touch people's lives, and which she has never faltered in extending to its utmost. When it comes to sequels of popular novels, it’s hard to not get nervous that it will be disappointing compared to the first book.

Lucy and her family are taking a long trip across the country to visit their Aunt Frankie. It's Lucy, her mother, her father (called Boots because he wears Boots), Lucy's younger sister Gracie, and the baby of the family, golden-haired Teddy, who is not yet two years of age. The family is headed to help Aunt Frankie deal with the scary flooding that happens around her house in season, perennially threatening not only the land, but the house itself, as well as anyone choosing to live there. As Lucy's family makes the multi-day drive to Frankie's house, Lucy thinks on her ambition to become what her father once was before quitting to pursue farming: a poet. Lucy ruminates on her secret dream, which she hopes to prove she can fulfill before letting her father in on it. Lucy loves words of every variety and timbre, but the words of song won't flow properly from her throat. For her singing enjoyment, she leans on the naturally silver tones of her little brother. Sneaking into Lucy's room at night, Teddy sings familiar songs, la-la-la-ing in place of syllables, which are still a bit too complicated for him to form. Teddy's singing is a secret; he only does it for Lucy, and she joyfully receives the honor of being the miniature divo's sole audience. While the author’s axe-grinding undermines her take, it’s still a refreshingly distinctive one in the over-populated world of Beatles biographies. Having recently read and loved Firefly Lane, I was anxious to get to the sequel, Fly Away. I’ll try to keep things brief so I don’t spoil this for anyone who has yet to read part 1. Overall, “Fly Away” is a beautifully written and emotionally charged novel that explores the themes of love, loss, and forgiveness with great depth and sensitivity. The characters are well-developed, and the plot is compelling, making it a highly recommended read for fans of contemporary fiction. Fly Away Book SpoilerA lot of the book focuses on grief in its purest, rawest form. What are the different ways Johnny, Tully, and the kids chose to show (or not show) their grief? Were there any images that really resonated with you? Kate’s family relies on her so much, it is confronting to witness the family fall apart in the aftermath of death. Tully tries to be there for Marah who is sullen, withdrawn and emotionally scarred. She means so well but fails in some respects, Marah stops connecting with her father and brothers in her heartache, and Johnny the grieving widow judges Tully harshly. Not really," says Frankie. "she just doesn't quite know what she has. She never did. She'll find that out one day. I promise." This instalment is serious and sad, happy and satisfying. Human relationships, family and loss are all covered, with the deep connection these two women being of course the main thread that keeps the story held tightly together – and the characters of course.

Tully’s mother, Cloud, a child of the Sixties, has lived a world of her own dependent on drugs for most of her adult life. She now wants to prove that she can help her daughter. But what will it take for Tully to forgive?There were times when it seemed like pure torture and anguish of mind to continue reading. It was very depressing, very few high spots throughout the whole book...of course until the end where everything sweetly came together. As the story progresses, Tully and Kate’s family learn to come to terms with their loss and find a way to move forward. Tully decides to take a break from her career to focus on herself and her relationships. She reconnects with Johnny, and they begin to develop feelings for each other. Tully Hart has always been larger than life, a woman fueled by big dreams and driven by memories of a painful past. She thinks she can overcome anything until her best friend, Kate Ryan, dies. Tully tries to fulfill her deathbed promise to Kate---to be there for Kate's children---but Tully knows nothing about family or motherhood or taking care of people.