David Putnam (’79, ’86) has spent much of his life in a classroom as a student and teacher, sharing his passion to educate young people. Putnam also loves the rewarding experience of writing and recently released an inspirational novel entitled “Crickets of the Silver Queen.” It has been referred to as a tribute to God’s unending, unfailing, and relentless love for his children. This is Putnam’s first published book and became a reality thanks to Crossbooks (a division of Lifeway). Lifeway is a Christian store retailer with locations in nearly 25 states.
“Crickets of the Silver Queen” is the story of a young pastor whose faith is tested when he is haunted by memories of an alcoholic and abusive father and a church that abandoned his family in their time of greatest need. The pastor must also find the strength to help a family that suffers the loss of a child. While Putnam says he cannot point to any one event that prompted the writing of the book, he realizes what might be his greatest influence: “My father’s death and the subsequent realization of how God had orchestrated events in my life,” said Putnam.
So where did the title of the book come from? Putnam says when the pastor in his book was a child his father would become drunk and violent, so the child would seek shelter from that abuse. ”His place of refuge is a spot out in a field of silver queen corn beside his house where he goes to think, pray, and hide.” Putnam explained that crickets are also symbolic to the novel as they are easily shaken, frightened by the least thing, and sing only in darkness. “Like the crickets need to hide, he (the pastor) also hides within the darkness of his own insecurity until God proves to him, that he (God) is divinely in charge,” said Putnam.
Putnam’s earlier writing experiences include his days at Gardner-Webb as an undergraduate when he edited Reflections, the University’s literary magazine at the time. After completing his master’s degree at GWU, Putnam wrote for the Shelby Star newspaper (Shelby, N.C.) as he chronicled education topics and events in the region.
Putnam hopes that readers of the book will realize that God always hears and responds to prayers. “We may not understand why things happen as they do, and at times we may not believe that God is even listening to us. But his love endures and is relentless, and his watch over us is constant,” said Putnam.
“Crickets of the Silver Queen” is available through online retailers and bookstores in Gastonia, Hickory, and Boiling Springs, N.C.
Submitted by Paul Foster
