Debut Novel by Commack High School Graduate

Commack native Chris Hoenigmann has just released his debut novel, Bowen’s Hollow—a gritty, deeply introspective story that traces one young man’s spiral through addiction, heartbreak, and loss, and his long road back to redemption.

Set in the fictional town of Port Harding, Bowen’s Hollow is steeped in Long Island atmosphere.

Hoenigmann, a 2001 Commack High School graduate, pulls no punches in his writing. The novel explores what it means to come of age in a world where adulthood is delayed, pain is often self-medicated, and redemption doesn’t come easy—or clean. “This book came out of some of the hardest parts of my life,” Hoenigmann says. “I wanted to write something honest. Something that might reach the people who feel stuck, or broken, or lost—and help them feel seen.”

While Bowen’s Hollow is fiction, the emotional truths it explores hit close to home for many who grew up on Long Island. The book taps into familiar territory for Commack readers—nights at the local pizzeria, driving around aimlessly with friends, the complex relationship many of us have with our hometowns.

Released on July 1, the book is now available on Amazon. You can follow the project on Instagram at @bowens.hollow and on Facebook and learn more at bowens-hollow.com.

Whether you’re still living in Commack or just carrying it with you, Bowen’s Hollow is a powerful reminder of where we come from—and how far we can go.