Firefly Lane Book Series vs. Netflix Show

I am a firm believer in reading the book before watching the show or movie. But in the case of Firefly Lane, somehow I missed the fact that the Netflix show was inspired by Kristen Hannah’s novels Firefly Lane and Fly Away. With a different order of experiences, here are my grades for different elements of the book and the show.

**Warning: These elements contain some spoilers.**

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The Order of Events

The novels are written in timeline order, from the moment Kate and Tully meet in 1974 to the early 2000’s. The show jumped around between three parts of the timeline: Tully and Kate in school as teens, as young professionals starting their careers and their families, and as a parent and a host of a successful tv show.

Order of Events Winner?

As the conflicts and story unravels, having the back and forth of the timeline really helps the audience understand the weight of some moments.

The Main Characters

Tully and Kate are pretty excellent on both the paper and the screen. Obviously, Netflix took some creative liberties, as some characters were added, removed, or given more of a backstory. But not every main character holds their weight.

Johnny Ryan: Kate’s husband and the station manager and producer of Tully’s show

At the start of the Netflix show, present day Kate and Johnny are going through a divorce. Although the reasons for this are never really explained, there seem to be a lot of contributing factors (Kate’s emotional affair with a neighbor, Johnny’s need to go Iraq and the PTSD he suffers from afterwards). In the book, Johnny’s most adventurous journalistic pursuits are covering homeless children in Seattle. Netflix’s casting of Ben Lawson was masterful, as many swooned along with Kate over his Australian accent. In the book, Johnny Ryan is American.
Winner: Netflix

Marah Ryan– Kate and Johnny’s daughter

In the Netflix show, Marah Ryan (played by Yael Yurman) is an only child, trying to navigate her parent’s divorce, her sexuality, and at the end, her mother’s cancer. Throughout the books, Marah has much more depth. As a typical teenager (and the older sister of twin brothers), she butts heads often with Kate. It is because of that tension and conflict that Marah really falls off the rails in Fly Away, the sequel to Firefly Lane. Though Netflix gives Marah a “happy ending” flashforward in the season finale, the books really provide a human look at how Marah tries to cope after Kate dies. 
Winner: Book Series

Cloud Hart– Tully’s absent mother, who struggles with addiction

The Firefly Lane TV series differs significantly from the book regarding Tully’s mother, Cloud (played by Beau Garrett). In the show, Cloud undergoes a redemption arc where she overcomes her addiction and builds a stronger bond with Tully as adults. In season 2, Cloud even plays a supportive role during Kate’s cancer battle. However, if the book series didn’t include Fly Away, Cloud’s redemption wouldn’t occur. Cloud rarely shows up in Tully’s life through Kristen Hannah’s Firefly Lane, though there was a hint at the end that Tully may have sought a better future. It is in Fly Away that we see Cloud’s redemption, and it is POWERFUL.
Winner: It’s a tie for me (but only because of Fly Away)

Margie Malarkey– Kate’s mother

In Netflix Firefly Lane’s flashbacks, Kate witnesses her mom, Margie (Chelah Horsdal), sitting with another man on their couch. When Kate questions her mother, Margie explains that she and Bud have a “mature” love, implying that their romantic connection has faded. Margie from the show is more aloof when it comes to her children and their struggles, whereas book Margie is a mom to be modeled after. She can empathize with Kate and Tully, and takes Tully in when Cloud leaves (not as the show displays after Cloud’s high night ride with the kids). It’s worth noting that while the show strongly suggests Margie had an affair, in the book, Margie remained faithful to Bud.
Winner: Book Series

Main Characters Winner?

When it comes to understanding a character’s thoughts and motivations, there is really nothing better than a book.

Tully and Kate’s Falling Out

In Firefly Lane season 2, Tully and Kate’s major conflict arises from a car accident involving Tully and Marah while she was intoxicated, causing a year of distrust. Their reconciliation occurs after Kate’s cancer diagnosis. In the original Firefly Lane book, their separation stems from a more personal incident where Tully, trying to mend Kate and Marah’s relationship, invites them on her talk show, leading to an embarrassing on-air confrontation about Kate’s parenting.

Falling Out Winner?

The show’s change portrays the characters more favorably. If I experienced the humiliation book Kate endured, I don’t think even a terminal illness would make me want to reconnect with Tully.

Kate’s Book

Both the Firefly Lane series and the book show Tully struggling to attend Kate’s funeral, but the details vary. In the show, Tully meets Johnny outside the funeral home and expresses her difficulty going inside, leading to Johnny giving her the black box from Kate. This box holds several gifts, one being Kate’s book recounting her and Tully’s adventures that started from Firefly Lane. However, in the book, Tully does go inside but leaves during the service when she can’t bear the loss. It’s then that she receives Kate’s final gift. In the show Kate’s book is meant for Tully, so that she will always remember Kate. In the book series, Kate’s book is meant for Marah. Tully is instructed to give it to Marah, when Marah is ready.

Kate’s Book Winner?

Tully often comes across as a selfish character. The show propels this, while the book gives readers a Kate-like faith in Tully, that she will rise to the occasion and protect the Ryan family.

Life after Cancer

Both Netflix and Kristen Hannah created powerful characters and stories. Kate Malarky quickly becomes someone the audience attaches to. As she struggled with cancer, the audience grieved along with her family and friends, who desperately sought answers but were left in the wake of her loss. Kate was larger than life, the friend you hope to make, the mom you want to be, the wife you aspire to become. But with Netflix, Kate dies and then that’s it. There is a little flashforward when Marah gets married, but really, Kate dies and the show ends. With Fly Away, you get to see how big of a wake this woman left. Because Kristen Hannah created such an amazing character, it makes so much more sense how the world falls apart for many characters. 

In an interview with Book Reporter, Hannah said: “Because I lost my own mother when I was much too young, I know intimately that one person can sometimes hold an entire family together, and the loss of that person is devastating. It can take you years to get back on your feet. That’s really the theme of Fly Away—how to let go of someone you love and go on.”

Life After Cancer Winner?

Overall Winner? Read the Book Series!

But honestly, you really can’t go wrong with either. If you choose to read Firefly Lane though, you MUST read Fly Away.

Are you reading anything? What other books beat tv series? Leave your comments below!