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  • Published: 6 May 2025
  • ISBN: 9781776950782
  • Imprint: Penguin
  • Format: Trade Paperback
  • Pages: 288
  • RRP: $38.00

1985

A Novel





Best-selling author Dominic Hoey's much anticipated third novel.

It’s 1985 and Obi’s on the cusp of teenagehood, after a childhood marked by poverty, dysfunctional family dynamics, (dis)organised crime and violence. His dad’s delusional, his mum’s real sick, the Rainbow Warrior just exploded, and it’s time for Obi to grow up and get out of the spacies parlour.

When he and his best mate Al discover a map leading to unknown riches, Obi wonders if this windfall could be the thing that turns his family’s fortunes around. Instead, he’s thrown into an adventure where the stakes are a lot higher than the games he loves.

An electric novel about life in a multi-cultural, counter-cultural part of Auckland pre-gentrification. 1985 is an adventure story with a local flavour, a coming-of-age story for the underdogs, the disenfranchised and the dreamers.

'This is writing of raw and shining brilliance' NZ Herald on Poor People With Money

  • Published: 6 May 2025
  • ISBN: 9781776950782
  • Imprint: Penguin
  • Format: Trade Paperback
  • Pages: 288
  • RRP: $38.00

About the author

Dominic Hoey

Dominic Hoey is a poet, author and youth worker from Tāmaki Makaurau, Aotearoa.

He’s released two best-selling novels and written a million love poems.

Through his Learn To Write Good programme, Dominic has taught thousands of writing students how to think dyslexic. He also works with rangatahi, helping to support them with their mental health and self-esteem.

He dreams of one day starting a rescue farm for wayward animals.

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