Fabe ponders giving in latest novel

Greencastle author Stu Fabe has ventured into some personally uncharted waters for his recently-published 10th book.

Gone is the violence of Clay Arnold series that comprised his first six works. Also absent is the supernatural suspense of his last two books — “The Write House” and “Kindred Spirits.”

Instead, “Given Names” tells a pretty straightforward story of a man who does what many of us dream about — he wins more than $500 million in the lottery.

Narrated in the first person by lucky winner Nathan Andrews, the book sets about to answer a simple question with complicated answers: “What would you do if you won the lottery?”

Call it a “novel” approach for the author.

“It’s a story about giving,” Fabe said. “It’s also about worthy individuals, deserving individuals.”

Additionally it is, just like Fabe’s last two novels, a story about his adopted hometown of Greencastle and Putnam County. For rural Greencastle is the home of Nathan Andrews, Fabe’s not-at-all veiled alter ego who is the narrator and subject of the story.

The book opens with an explanation of how Nathan, a native of Cincinnati, came to be in Putnam County in his retirement. He tells of retiring from a career in philanthropy in the Queen City and falling for an artist from West Central Indiana named Marlita, eventually relocating to live with her “on 36 acres of rolling pasture, down six miles of quiet country roads.”

Anyone who knows Fabe sees this is the story of his life with partner Marla Helton.

But that’s where the autobiographical portion of the story ends ... at least as far as we know.

For shortly into the narrative Nathan, along with the reader, learns that he has won $514 million in the “Whopper Ball” drawing, a development that is sure to instantly change his life.

Nathan is concerned with his anonymity and with being a good steward of his previous unimagined wealth. He immediately retains an attorney he knows from his old life in Cincinnati as well as appointing a local agent with her thumb on the pulse of the community.

He chooses Stella Chastain, owner of the Monon Diner as someone who can give the money to deserving individuals, and the attorney, Joseph Daniels, to help him give to organizations.

“I’m really excited about it because it is a story about giving and, in my way, encouraged people to give,” Fabe said. “It’s a thrill for me to take a look at our community and use a positive filter to identify wonderful cultural and civic organizations that make Greencastle and Putnam County such a fine place to live.”

So most of the remainder of the book plays out in this way, with each chapter a vignette, a kind of story within the story of a worthy individual or organization and how they come to benefit from Nathan’s largess.

And the organizations are very much real-life Putnam County entities, some as beneficiaries and others as important parts of the story. Local organizations, businesses and places include Putnam County Public Library, Putnam County Museum, Putnam County Fairgrounds, Beyond Homeless, Putnam County Animal Shelter, Putnam County Convention & Visitors Bureau, local covered bridges, J.J. Hunter caboose, the Monon, Putnam County Community Foundation, United Way of Central Indiana, Asbury College (DePauw University), Almost Heaven Restaurant (Almost Home), Transcend (Edge 21), Asbury Chapel (Gobin Church), McKim Observatory, Greencastle Summer Music Festival, Asbury Nature Park and the Banner Graphic.

Likewise, local people are featured, including Beth Benedix, Susan David (Sue and Dave Murray), Drew and Alicia Greenfield (Dave and Alice Greenburg), Phil and Erin Lindell (Aaron and Felicia Littrel), Tess Monaco (Mossie Carrico), Dutch Vanderhaar (Joanne Kissinger), Lisette Vanderhaar (Lisa Kissinger Kaplan), Rev. Langston Bryant (Rev. Bryan Langdoc), Prof. Enrique Bergman (Eric Edberg), Matt Matlock (Matt McClelland), Anita Mack (Anita Barr McEnulty), Hunter and Lydia Hickman (Vic and Lin Hunter), Tad Robinson, Cathie Malach, Ming Hui-Kuo, Claude Cymerman, BJ Stanley (BJ Rabold), Linda Stanley (Linda Wall) and even the writer of this article, again under the pseudonym “Red Jergens.”

“I love trying to take what we’ve got all around us and put a spin on it that will get people’s attention,” Fabe said.

It’s certainly not his first foray into this, as last winter’s “Kindred Spirits” also dabbled in rich local residents being generous with their treasure, though that story was complicated by some international intrigue.

But that’s not the case here, though perhaps the only question is if Fabe has a half billion dollars about which he’s keeping mum.

He grins at this question, not directly answering, though his track record of supporting the arts and other worthy causes leaves little doubt that if Fabe suddenly found himself rich beyond belief, then Putnam County would find itself the beneficiary in a number of ways.

Anyone wanting to learn a bit more about the book may do so in person at a pair of upcoming events. Fabe will give an author talk at the Putnam County Public Library from 6-7:30 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 21. Additionally, he will speak as part of the Poland Historic Chapel speaker series at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 10.

The book will be available for purchase (cash, check or Venmo) at these events, as well as being for sale at Eli’s Books, online with Amazon or Barnes & Noble or by contacting the author himself at stuartfabe@gmail.com.

In getting the word out about his book, the author is hopeful he’s spreading the word about the joy of giving.

“If we can think about just giving more,” he said. “It’s a thrill to just view our community through a little different lens.”