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The Light of the Fireflies

By: Paul Pen, Simon Bruni - translator
Narrated by: Scott Merriman
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Publisher's summary

A haunting and hopeful tale of discovering light in even the darkest of places.

For his whole life, the boy has lived underground, in a basement with his parents, grandmother, sister, and brother. Before he was born, his family was disfigured by a fire. His sister wears a white mask to cover her burns.

He spends his hours with his cactus, reading his book on insects, or touching the one ray of sunlight that filters in through a crack in the ceiling. Ever since his sister had a baby, everyone's been acting very strangely. The boy begins to wonder why they never say who the father is, about what happened before his own birth, about why they're shut away.

A few days ago, some fireflies arrived in the basement. His grandma said, There's no creature more amazing than one that can make its own light. That light makes the boy want to escape, to know the outside world. Problem is, all the doors are locked. And he doesn't know how to get out....

©2013 Paul Pen (P)2016 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved. Translation © 2016 Simon Bruni.
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What listeners say about The Light of the Fireflies

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Excellent Tale!

Well written and skillfully maneuvered. The imagery was good. Only criticism was the story seemed to break pace at the end and it felt rushed. I wished the author could have restrained himself and kept the craftiness until the end. I would recommend this book!

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12 people found this helpful

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Unique

Any additional comments?

Never read anything like it.

Very dark, disturbing, interesting at the same time....even some bits of redemption, a study in humanity after the fall.

Well worth reading.

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6 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Nice twist

Nice twist. You will change your mind about how you feel about each character .

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4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

One turn after another

This story was filled with surprises. Just when I thought I had something figured out, a new twist would appear. The ending was nothing I could've predicted. Will definitely listen again to catch more detail!

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

not what i expected

sad story not my cup of tea a good read if it invokes a reaction. that's all i have to say.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Heartbreaking

Very raw. I liked it but it is a very Heart wrenching story. If you get depressed easily with stories, this is not for you.

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DON’T READ THE NEGATIVE REVIEWS FIRST!

I read the negative reviews first and already had in my kind things that were going to happen in the story and while they did...it’s NOT what you think! The first half of the book was a bit hard t get through but once the back story came out I couldn’t stop reading! Really enjoyed this book!

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Love this book!

I was swallowed into this story. If I could have listened in one sitting, I would have.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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If you like dark stories, listen to this!

I like dark stories and this book still creeps in on my thoughts. I wasn't crazy about the ending I'll admit but I finished this in two days.. Couldn't stop listening.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Wtf

I have a love hate relationship with this book such a visceral and beautiful perspective of the outside world hidden under a dark story of two horrible parents

Overall a good read, I did however have to stop listening from time to time because the book made me mad

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