When the Fireflies Dance - a powerful story about resiliency and the love of family.

In Lahore, Pakistan, Lalloo's parents are indentured laborers living in a small hut on a bhatti, where they produce bricks. The debt they owe the landowner is too substantial for them to escape their circumstances. When Lalloo's older brother Jugnu is brutally killed, his parents send seven-year-old Lalloo away to work as an apprentice for his safety. As the years go by, Lalloo, feeling abandoned, has had minimal contact with his parents. Now in his 20s, Lalloo has been saving his money with the hope of eventually helping his parents and two sisters, who are also making bricks, to pay off their debt and break free of the bhatti. One of his sisters has the opportunity to leave through an arranged marriage, but additional money is needed for the dowry. Lalloo promises to secure the funds, but first, he needs a plan. And he'll do almost anything to help his family.

When the Fireflies Dance is a beautifully written and heart-wrenching debut by Aisha Hassan. Inspired by a true story, this is a tale of the human spirit. As Lalloo seeks the needed funds, he encounters endless challenges and betrayals, yet he never gives up. Two childhood friends attempt to help him. The author vividly describes the depths of despair felt by Lalloo and his family, who have struggled to cope with Jugnu's death. It is shocking to learn that indentured servitude persists among Pakistan's poorest people, who are trying to survive. This is a memorable and captivating book.

Many thanks to Gallery Books/Scout Press for the advance.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars.

General Fiction.

Publication Date: December 2, 2025.

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