When the Fireflies Dance - by Aisha Hassan (Hardcover)

About the Book

"On the outskirts of Lahore, Pakistan, a large yellow moon hung low in the sky when the men came with dogs and guns and cricket bats. In front of his family's small hut on the edge of a looming brick kiln, Lalloo's brother was murdered. Unable to escape the memory of that horrible night, Lalloo's parents and sisters remain trapped, the kiln chimney churning black smoke into the sky as the family slave, brick by brick, to pay off their debts. To rescue them, Lalloo must free himself from his past and carve out his own destiny"--Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

Inspired by a shocking true story, this haunting debut novel of love, brotherhood, resilience, and redemption set in Pakistan calls to mind the modern classics The Kite Runner and The Beekeeper of Aleppo.

On the outskirts of Lahore, Pakistan, a large yellow moon hung low in the sky when the men came with dogs and guns and cricket bats. In front of his family's small hut on the edge of a looming brick kiln, Lalloo's brother was murdered.

Unable to escape the memory of that horrible night, Lalloo's parents and sisters remain trapped, the kiln chimney churning black smoke into the sky as the family slave, brick by brick, to pay off their debts. To rescue them, Lalloo must free himself from his past and carve out his own destiny.

Review Quotes

"This book is incredible but also destroyed my heart. Read it, but only when you feel strong enough because it's painful but inspiring in the way that true stories can be." --Jenny Lawson, New York Times bestselling author of Let's Pretend This Never Happened

"This superb debut novel from London-based Hassan... is being compared to Khaled Hosseini's The Kite Runner... There are many twists and turns to the story, and Hassan beautifully crafts a very believable tale that also unravels [a] mystery... A highly recommended and heart-wrenching story that is all too realistic, as bonded labor continues in Pakistan and around the world today." --Library Journal

"In this hair-raising debut from Hassan, a family of indentured servants is torn apart in contemporary Pakistan . . . What starts out as a stultifying tale of hopelessness becomes a fast-paced drama full of betrayals, escapes, intrigue, and self-sacrificing heroism. It's enlivened by charming scenes of street life and the bazaar, stark contrasts between the lives of the well-to-do and the servant classes, and unforgettable villains and allies. Hassan proves herself a gifted storyteller." --Publishers Weekly

"A thought-provoking and heartbreaking examination of forgotten families trapped in a cycle of injustice and a deep look into the sacrifices one man makes in order to save those he loves. Aisha Hassan's gift for storytelling makes this a beautiful and poignant read." --Marjan Kamali, bestselling author of The Lion Women of Tehran

"A beautiful novel. Lalloo's story is evocative, heartbreaking, and full of hope. I loved it." --Charlotte Levin, author of If I Let You Go


"An intensely powerful story about friendship, unfairness, cruelty and love, from a brave new voice. Heartbreaking, touching, and thought provoking." --Santa Montefiore, Sunday Times bestselling author of Wait for Me

"As heartwarming as it is heartbreaking, When The Fireflies Dance is so good I had to check it really is a debut. Such evocative writing I could feel the heat of Pakistan's brick kilns and the despair of those trapped there. Yet love, hope and family never leave this epic tale, which becomes one of escape and redemption. Stunning and powerful." --Janice Hallet, internationally bestselling author of The Appeal

"Deeply evocative and totally transporting, a story that will really stay with me." --Samuel Burr, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers

"This is a bold, beautiful novel that sweeps you away in an evocative story of family secrets, sacrifice and redemption set against the most brutal of circumstances. I read this one in three breathless gulps and can only recommend that you add it to your TBR. If you enjoyed The Beekeeper of Aleppo, Golden Child, Kololo Hill or The Kite Runner, I think you're gonna love this one. A page-turning, heart-pounding thrill of a book, full of truth and insight and hope." --Wiz Wharton, author of Ghost Girl, Banana

About the Author

Aisha Hassan is an award-winning writer living and working in London. A graduate of the University of Oxford's prestigious Creative Writing Master's programme and a Curtis Brown Creative alumna, Aisha's play Pickled Mangoes was performed at Soho Theatre, and her poetry has appeared in Under the Radar and Campus magazines. When the Fireflies Dance is her debut novel and has been longlisted for the Bridport Novel Award and Hachette's Mo Siewcharran Prize, and shortlisted for the London Writers Award. As a child, she lived in Lahore, Pakistan.