‘Cane and Able’: Cheek’s second novel tells the story of black farmhand, farmer’s son

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Nancy Green

January 28, 2009

By Nancy Green The Star Herald Wed Jan 28, 2009, 09:21 AM CST

Having an extra measure of imagination and expertise in storytelling has paved the way for a Kosciusko native’s publication of his first novel.

Stephen Cheek, a landscape architect by profession, has turned author with the publication of his novel “Cane and Able.” But it’s not about the Cain and Abel of the Bible’s Old Testament, he explains.

His novel of fiction was preceded by writing the children’s book, “Catfish Cowboy and Mr. Turtle,” derived from a story he told his children, Cory, Megan and Logan, during their early years.

“All three of my children went to bed night after night with this adventure and never once did they tire of the stories. That was over 20 years ago,” said Cheek.

In “Cane and Able”, Justine Cane, son of a Mississippi farmer, is taught to drive by his father’s trusted black farmhand, Able. Along with being frightened by failures in the process of learning to drive, Cane is thrilled by the chance to experience something that could lead to freedom. The novel details Able becoming Cane’s mentor with Able coming across as a strong man, both physical and spiritually.

While the two take a trip through the Mississippi Delta, Cane learns many lessons of life from the black man in addition to the instructions in driving.

Cheek said he regards writing as a craft. “You learn as you go,” he said. Some of his first experiences in writing came through his keeping a diary and notes during the years while playing in the band “Class Reunion,” composed of a group local musicians, several of them classmates at Kosciusko High School.

“I compiled my notes along with funny stories and gave a copy to each of the band members. They loved it, and told me I should write a book. That really encouraged me,” Cheek said.

For 23 years, Cheek has shared his storytelling talent in Sunday School classes at Kosciusko’s First Baptist Church. He is currently teaching a class of fifth graders regaling them in lessons punctuated with his stories.

Then there are other books in the making. “The Hunt,” he said, is complete and he hopes to have it published this year.

He said he plans a sequel to the Catfish and Turtle story. “It’s a story about a catfish that lived in a deep water hole until he was befriended by a curious turtle who challenged him to jump out of the water one day. To the turtle’s surprise the catfish had a personality and luck that would marvel any creature, man, or beast. The catfish couldn’t wait to see what the real or dry world was all about,” he said.

The saga of the catfish and turtle is expected to continue in future books.

On Feb. 13, at 2:30 p.m. Cheek will hold a book signing at Jordan Gallery at the entrance of Jordan Furniture Co. on East Washington Street. The books may also be obtained online at Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.

Joining Cheek for the book signing will be Rick Acker of California, who will be signing “Blood Brothers,” a sequel to “Dead Man’s Rule” which he signed at the Attala County Library in February 2007.

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‘Cane and Able’: Cheek’s second novel tells the story of black farmhand, farmer’s son

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