1985 – Dominic Hoey

I chose 1985 for our April book club as I wanted to include a New Zealand author, and the novel’s nomination for the Dublin Literary Awards caught my attention. I also hadn’t come across Dominic Hoey before, and the synopsis on the back cover intrigued me. I wasn’t disappointed—in fact, I really loved this book. For me, it carried a strong sense of nostalgia. Having grown up in Auckland, I found the setting and time period incredibly familiar, which made the story feel even more vivid and personal.

Hoey’s writing style is highly descriptive, and the short, fast-paced chapters made it an engaging and easy read. Each chapter left me wanting to continue, creating a strong sense of momentum throughout the book.

One of the novel’s strengths lies in its characters. They are deeply flawed—particularly the adults—but Hoey writes them with empathy and, at times, a surprising amount of warmth. Obi’s father, for example, is largely unreliable and constantly scheming for ways to make money without working. Yet he is not without redeeming qualities. Moments like when he teaches Obi to cook add depth to his character and show a different side to their relationship. These small glimpses of care make the characters feel real rather than one-dimensional. Despite the difficult circumstances depicted throughout the novel, I feel it remains inherently hopeful. It strikes a compelling balance between social commentary and a coming-of-age story, exploring hardship while still allowing space for growth, connection, and resilience.

That said, this isn’t a book I would recommend to everyone. The frequent use of strong language is a defining feature of the narrative voice and may not appeal to all readers. However, for those who don’t mind this, it adds authenticity to the story and its setting.

Overall, I found 1985 to be a compelling and evocative novel that blends gritty realism with moments of tenderness. It’s a powerful portrayal of place, family, and growing up, and one that resonated with me long after I finished.

There’s a real satisfaction in reading a novel deeply rooted in New Zealand history, society and culture. The settings, language and behavioural idiosyncrasies in this book offered a large dose of nostalgic sentiment. (I too played Spaceys in the fish & chip shop in 1985!) Even the darkly funny yet deeply empathetic narrative voice felt unmistakably Kiwi.

Within that cocoon of familiarity is a cast of characters balanced between strengths, flaws and misguided morals. I bonded quickly with Obi, his best mate Al and his sister Summer as well as some of the minor characters. I was conflicted about the parents as it felt like Hoey wanted us to forgive them too easily, despite the father’s poor role modelling and the mother’s indifference. But the fact I am spending so much time dissecting them means there has clearly been a lot of thought in how they were developed.

There is a simple plot, of Obi trying to save the family home via Spacey competitions and treasure maps, but ultimately this is a character study, and a very good one at that. I think 1985 should have been shortlisted for the NZ Book Awards.

What a great read! Hoey does a fantastic job of bringing a wide range of characters to life in this book. They all sit comfortably within the narrative, and even though some only make brief appearances, you get a real sense of who they are. They all share one thing in common: a desire to improve their lives.

The scale of these ambitions is wide-ranging, from petty theft and shifts at the bacon factory to dreams of directing movies or becoming the best Space Invaders player in town. Every character is looking for something more than what they currently have.

While there isn’t a traditional “action” plot, the story beautifully captures an eleven-year-old boy at the age of exploration and self-discovery. Seeing the world through his eyes gives the story a layer of innocence that slowly peels away. It’s a poignant journey as he eventually realises his father isn’t quite the hero he imagined him to be.

Hoey’s writing style is a total pleasure to read, I absolutely loved this book.

1985 is a heart-warming, tragi-comic biography in the same vein as Taika Waititi’s film Boy.

The central character Obi is navigating a childhood in poverty, with a father who is a petty criminal, frustrated poet and recidivist alcoholic. His mother’s life has been blighted by chronic illness (secondary to drug use) and despite a university education, she has seriously failed to achieve her potential. Despite their issues, both parents genuinely worship each other and love Obi and his sister Summer. It was painful to read about the constant lack of good food, the crime and gang violence all around them, the constant mold and dampness in their home, the pain of disappointment when Obi’s father disappoints him repeatedly. I also felt incredible tension related to Summer who is clearly disillusioned with her family but is seeking solace down all the wrong avenues.

One of the main themes in this book is having a dream or being a dreamer. For some it is a superpower and for others it is their downfall. Obi’s dream is to find buried treasure and save the family from losing their home.

I genuinely loved every character in this book. Despite their flaws, I forgave them because they each show a vulnerable side and are principled in their own misguided ways. Stand out for me is Al, Obi’s Samoan friend who is full of wise-cracks and cheek despite having been abandoned by both his parents to the care of an aunty and a large, extended family of cousins. The warmth and care that comes from within that home for both Al and Obi gave me warm fuzzies. I love that Al has the seemingly impossible dream of becoming a filmmaker.

This is a seriously New Zealand read, anchored as it is in Grey Lynn, Auckland in 1985. It references key political events in New Zealand such as the Springboks Tour, the Dawn Raids and the sinking of the Rainbow Warrier. 

The theme of children trying to navigate the chaos and neglect inflicted on them by their carers is not a new one and is handled with insight and poignancy. I was filled with a sense of dread when the boys were stranded on the far side of the city late at night and yet they are taken in by some other wonderful characters. This is ultimately a hopeful book about the warmth of communities and the kindness of strangers, tempered by the gritty reality of crime, violence, substance abuse and hopeless poverty

I thank the author for leaving us with the sense that the boys ultimately do escape their childhoods, not altogether unscathed, but in some ways the stronger for it.

I really enjoyed reading 1985, mainly because the characters felt so authentic. Obi’s life was deeply flawed and dysfunctional, but Dominic Hoey writes him with so much honesty that I found him relatable and easy to care for. Even though I have never lived in Auckland or experienced the situations Obi has, being around a similar age to him in 1985 gave the novel a sense of nostalgia for me.

The book deals with sad and heavy themes, but it’s often told with humour and a sharp comedic style that made it feel realistic rather than overly dark. That balance between sadness and comedy worked well and made the story engaging the whole way through.

I also loved the sense of community throughout the novel. Even though the neighbourhood and people were rough around the edges, there was a feeling that everyone looked out for each other, which gave the story a lot of warmth.

Another highlight for me was the poetry and politics woven into the story. They added depth without ever feeling forced or preachy. Overall, I found 1985 to be funny, emotional, nostalgic, and very real. It’s the kind of novel where the characters and atmosphere stay with you long after finishing it.