Book Review: Theo of Golden

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Theo is an octogenarian who travels to a Georgia town called Golden, rents an apartment, and plans to spend some time there.

When Theo enters the Chalice, a local coffeehouse, he sees 92 pencil drawings of city people. They are the creation of a local artist and are for sale. When one sells, another takes its place.

Theo has the idea of purchasing the portraits and giving them to the people in the drawings.

Theo finds that with each exchange, a friendship is born. At the same time, a life is altered by this mysterious stranger. Everyone sees this kind, older face and is gifted with much more than a portrait of themselves. Why, they all ask themselves, is he doing this?

Theo While in Golden:

Theo rents an apartment above a consultant’s office and spends the rest of his time reading and walking. There is more than a rhythm to his walks. It is borne of a wide chasm of grief he can’t seem to leave behind.

The consultant, Mr. Ponder, tasks his secretary, Mrs. Gidley, with finding the people in the portraits so Theo can contact them. Theo writes them letters and asks to meet with them for the portrait exchange. He gives Mr. Ponder $100,000 to cover expenses incurred and any other costs that may arise.

Mr. Ponder suggests presenting these portraits differently. “If you’d like,” Mr. Ponder tells Theo, “we could buy all of them at once and let the artist or the coffee shop people deliver them. That would be a lot easier and quicker.”

Theo flatly tells him that that is not a solution. He wants to exchange them himself. You are then left to wonder, did Theo just stumble upon the town of Golden? Or did he have an ulterior motive for traveling there?

Just who is this charismatic man named Theo who came to Golden and seemed to be on a mission? Many friendships bloom from these portraiture exchanges, and many stories unfold.

He was, the book says, a Houdini at evading personal questions and answering only those that were within certain unstated boundaries. The others he sidestepped with the finesse of a river dancer.

The People in the Portraits:

Theo continues to buy the portraits hanging on the wall of the Chalice coffeehouse and to give them to those he considers the rightful owners. He comes away from the exchanges a more knowing and richer man.

The story invites the reader to slow down, pay attention, and reflect on what really matters in life. Each act of giving becomes a tender moment of connection. It highlights the idea that kind actions, even small, unnamed ones, can ripple outward and have profound effects.

The central theme of this book seems to be helping individuals feel seen and understood, which often leads to healing, acceptance, and relationship-building.

Theo of Golden functions as an allegory of sorts, a character-driven story suggesting that purpose should not come from self-interest. Life’s value lies in the connections we make. And most of all, those small and unnamed acts of kindness restore our faith in humanity.

Theo’s Words Written in a Letter:

This old man will someday leave the world knowing that, at least for one short season, he was an agent for good and that he used art not for his personal fame or advancement but for its highest ends. To bestow…a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.

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At the end of the book, each character’s life is followed up on. Loose ends are tied up in gratitude for having met the man named Theo. They find that he is not at all who they thought he was, though they were never given any insight about him.

The book Theo of Golden is a fine jewel in the gutter of a fast-moving world. It asks: How might our world be different if we approached others with curiosity, humility, and open-hearted generosity?

About the Author:

Allen Levi is an attorney, a judge, a singer-songwriter, and now an author of what has been called a major bestselling phenomenon.

Theo of Golden is Allen Levi’s first novel. It was originally self-published in 2023 and then acquired by Simon Maverick, a new audio-first division of Simon & Schuster. The audiobook is voiced by actor David Morse.

Levi grew up in Columbus, Georgia, and attended the University of Georgia. He left his law practice and moved to Scotland, where he received a degree in Scottish fiction from the University of Edinburgh. He has worked as a travelling musician and has more than 20 albums to his credit.

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I was given this book to read, review, and offer my honest opinion. I think it is a gem of a book, a feel-good first novel, with words to savor and ponder. Theo of Golden is a heartwarming story about kindness and connection. The New York Times calls this book a 2025 word-of-mouth sensation.

My love of books leads me to acquire, read, and review all kinds of books. Because you can travel the world within the pages of a book.

Note: I was given this book to read, review, and share my honest opinion.