Book Review: 1986 by Will Stepp

Reviewed by Toni Woodruff

Atmospheric & real—a recollective mood on childhood, family, and friends in the 1980s, coated with the nostalgia of times gone by

Childhood. Every adult’s got one, and every one is remarkably different. There may be some shared nostalgia, a shared setting, a shared home, but kids are humans from the moment they arrive—unique and laying the groundwork for the rest of their lives. Something, confusingly, even though their troubles are often looked down on by older people, they could remember forever.

1986 is a collection of interlinked short stories following an unnamed boy—turned teen, turned man—and his ever-so-relatable childhood, filled with Nintendos, G.I. Joe’s, Garbage Pail Kid cards, and all the things they could get in trouble for when they’re bored and have friends they want to impress. 

The collection starts with a quiet vignette, “Grazing Field,” that makes us feel unfinished—not quite a short story, more an introduction. A mood-setter. Capable of making the quiet turn all the way up in story #2: “New Knife.”

“New Knife” might be the best short story I’ve read in years. It’s got that uber-memorable single item (the knife the young protagonist finds in his grandmother’s antique room) and a young friendship tandem attempting to steal something from a neighborhood store. The feeling of realness is there—how many kids around the world have experienced something similar?—but it also comes with its own moving nuances. The young narrator’s relationship with his grandfather is first introduced in this story, and we keep a strong grip on their bond throughout, able to experience big feelings along with our narrator because we know how much he really means to his world.

Another story, “Clubhouse,” might be the one able to knock “New Knife” off its throne. As you might expect, this one includes a young narrator getting into mischief too. He’s been hanging around one of his best friends, Luke, a lot lately, but Luke has started being with Kai Palmer—someone who Luke can do big kid stuff with. So when the narrator tags along, he’s got all the more reason to prove he’s not a little kid anymore. Little lives can come with big repercussions.

“Drainage Pipe” is one of those stories that comes with an unforgettable image linked with, perhaps, the most powerful emotion: fear. This collection isn’t a horror—more a literary/historical collection—but I’d be lying if I didn’t say I felt fear for my main character often. Not only can kids be cruel enough to send shivers down your spine, but the setting is painted with such a vivid brush that it makes the supernatural feel as possible as if we were worried, bored kids in the 80s too. If you remember what it was like growing up as a rural kid during this time, you’re going to be enamored of 1986.

This book is about the feeling. The atmosphere. The time. The things we can’t forget, well into adulthood. We can learn so much from kids, as long as we’re willing enough to listen. This is the only childhood they’ve got, and they’re doing things you’re too afraid to do. Jump back in time with your old self in this knife-sharp story collection.

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