CJ Green, a promising new author, has announced the release of his debut novel, “Record Lows,” a gripping tale set against the backdrop of the infamous 1977 Buffalo blizzard. The novel, which will be available from Cardinal, an imprint of Grand Central Publishing, is centred on the Pond family and their struggles amid both a historic storm and a mysterious disappearance, all set in the small town of Oneira, New York.
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Green’s literary work takes the reader deep into the lives of the Pond family, who are grappling with internal and external turmoil. Harmon Pond, the family patriarch and editor of the local newspaper, is grappling with financial difficulties that compel him to accept funding from a creditor. However, when this creditor suddenly goes missing, it triggers a series of events that unravel the fabric of the Pond family’s life, exposing long-buried secrets and unforeseen challenges.
In an exclusive interview, Green expressed his fascination with human behaviour, stating, “I find that people rarely do what’s in their best interest, and this was the great mystery I set out to investigate.” He reflects on the motivations concealed beneath the surface of our emotions and invites readers to contemplate the internal conflicts that shape individual choices.
The blizzard provides a chaotic backdrop for the intrigue that unfolds. Teresa, the couple’s eldest daughter, views the disappearance as an opportunity for a big story, while her mother, Pauline, confronts painful memories from her own childhood. Meanwhile, the younger siblings, Fran and Lonnie, explore risky behaviours that further complicate the family dynamic. Through these characters, Green seeks to highlight the myriad ways families evolve and adapt during times of crisis.
Green’s writing journey has been anything but conventional. A graduate of the renowned Iowa Writers’ Workshop, he penned much of “Record Lows” during his spare moments, often using the Notes app on his phone. Balancing a full-time job with family illness and personal tragedies, he found solace and clarity in crafting this narrative. “For me it was ‘a healthy behaviour’ to use my brain to imagine this world,” he explained, demonstrating how writing became both a refuge and a means of exploring life’s complexities.
The author also noted the importance of the setting, stating, “Dipping into the 1970s in an imagined town close to where my own family hails from was a joy.” This nostalgic look back not only pays homage to his roots but also serves as a contrasting lens through which contemporary readers can examine their own lives. Green believes that the themes explored in the novel will resonate with people today, despite the passage of time.
The narrative style of “Record Lows” aims to be both immersive and psychological. Green elaborated, “I wanted the story to be immersive, both fast-paced and psychological, equally concerned with what’s happening inside the characters as what’s going on around them.” In doing so, he illuminates the hidden complexities of seemingly ordinary lives, suggesting that deeper narratives often lie beneath the surface of everyday interactions.
As readers anticipate the release of “Record Lows,” which is set to hit shelves on February 2, 2027, it stands as both a personal exploration of family dynamics and a broader commentary on human behaviour during times of upheaval. Preorders for the novel are already available at various retailers, signalling a strong interest in Green’s insightful storytelling.
CJ Green’s inaugural literary work promises to add a rich texture to the contemporary literary landscape, inviting readers to reflect on their own motivations and family ties through the lens of a gripping and poignant narrative.