For Adults
- ’An intensely powerful story about friendship, unfairness, cruelty and love, from a brave new voice. Heartbreaking, touching, and thought-provoking’ Santa Montefiore *
“The young boys walked right through the fireflies, bathed in the warm blinking light. Lalloo tried to catch them between his palms but they were elusive, flying away or quickly going dark and invisible.”
Even in the darkest moments, there is light to be found.
On the night that Lalloo’s brother is murdered, a large yellow moon hangs low in the sky above the family’s small hut on the outskirts of Lahore. Abandoned far from home only hours later, seven-year-old Lalloo will not see them again for a very long time.
Unable to escape the memory of that night, Lalloo’s parents and sisters remain trapped at the brickyard, the kiln chimney churning black smoke into the sky as they slave brick by brick to pay off their debts.
Now that he is older, Lalloo saves every rupee he earns in the city in the hope that he might one day be able to rescue his family. Yet as he falls in love with a girl he thought he’d lost forever, he realises that their freedom will only come with unimaginable sacrifice.
And as the fireflies dance overhead, Lalloo must finally choose his own destiny…
Inspired by a true story, this mesmerising debut novel of love, family, resilience and redemption will appeal to fans of modern classics The Kite Runner and The Beekeeper of Aleppo.
If you fancy winning 2 sets, 10 paperback copies each, of When the Fireflies Dance for your book club, let us know why by 27 February for your chance to win!
The books will be delivered to you by mid April and you will have six weeks after you receive the book to send back individual reviews. We anonymise your applications and share with the publisher to help select the clubs.
Please only apply if you will be able to send the club’s feedback six weeks after receiving books. If you do not send in feedback in return for the free books you will not be able to apply for other opportunities. We also welcome photos and screengrabs of any social media posts.
