Weaving All of the Webs from the Stranger Things Novels
The Netflix series, Stranger Things, a well-written mix of nostalgia, horror and science fiction. It is also fortunately a jumping off point for an entire universe of entertainment. One of the greatest slices of this universe is the companion novels that focus on individual characters. Over the show’s first four seasons, the cast has grown and (even with long run times for each episode) not every character gets their time in the spotlight.
The latest of these companion novels reviewed here is Lucas on the Line, published in 2022 and written by Suyi Davies (Black Boy Joy.) Davies focuses on Lucas Sinclair, one of the show’s original cast members and one of Hawkins, Indiana’s few “token black kids.” Lucas has always considered himself an outsider. That’s one of the reasons he fit so well into the show’s original “party.” Along with Will, Mike and Dustin, he was an unpopular geek.
As Season 4 begins, Lucas is looking at starting high school differently than the others. He considers the opportunity for a brand-new start. He sets goals to make new friends, to get out of his comfort zone, and to still be true to himself. It’s in these struggles that the book finds its most powerful message and tone.
Lucas meets Jay, his student mentor, and one of the only other Black students he’s ever shared a conversation with. Jay is all for Lucas trying new things. He pushes the younger man to explore opportunities, but to also expand his observations of those around him. With Jay’s determined guidance, and some conflicting opinions among his family members, Lucas even tries out for the basketball team.
The new accomplishments aren’t all celebrated by Lucas’ friends. He must give up some of what made him who he was in the past. His relationships become strained. He finds himself arguing with his father. His difficulty in explaining or accepting the evolution into his new life leaves him angry or confused. Lucas finds himself growing apart from his friends and from his girlfriend, Max.
Lucas on the Line fills in all the great moments where the character is out of the picture during Season 4. Davies’ writing provides wonderful, rich context of the struggles that the viewers and Lucas’ friends can’t see or understand. Lucas’ journey is a difficult one. He deals with injustices due to his race, but also finds himself trying to navigate the cliques of high school popularity.
Like the other companion books, Lucas on the Line is tied to the timeline of events shown during Season 4. That unfortunately becomes the only weak link about the book. Lucas’ story is so well written and told that the ending feels abrupt. He is picking his battles and choosing the values that will define him. Then, the final few chapters pull him out of his own story and fit him (a bit awkwardly) back into the Season 4 timeline.
This book is among the most comprehensive of all the companion novels. Davies takes pieces from all the other works and fits them together to solidify Lucas’ rough high school beginnings. He treats the characters with respect and uses a combination of new and familiar voices to provide depth and color. The book is very well written and calls upon all the uncomfortable firsts that come with starting high school. It’s a solid story that remains true to the tone, imagery and imagination of Stranger Things.