Blasting into the Past – How to Survive 1985
Tegan Bennett Daylight’s How to Survive 1985 is a bold, time-warping young adult novel that throws readers headfirst into the not-so-distant past—and forces us to reckon with how far we’ve really come.
Set in Sydney during the mid-80s, the story follows a contemporary teen who suddenly finds themselves transported back to 1985—a world of cassette tapes, landlines, and a society with very different values. As they navigate schoolyards, social circles, and outdated norms, the question looms: Could you survive 1985?
Daylight does more than recreate the aesthetics of the era—she delves into its culture, exposing the casual misogyny, rigid gender roles, and social silences that defined the time. Yet, there’s fun to be had, too. Between funky haircuts and fashion faux pas, navigating the 80s has never been so complicated.
The novel cleverly contrasts then and now, making young readers consider what progress really means. Have we evolved, or just adapted? Are we truly more open-minded, or just better at hiding our prejudices?
How to Survive 1985 is sharp, entertaining, and thought-provoking—perfect for teens and adults alike. It’s a coming-of-age story wrapped in vintage denim, asking timeless questions about identity, resilience, and change.
