BookBrowse Reviews Theo of Golden by Allen Levi

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A mysterious visitor to a small Southern town brings unexpected joy to its residents.

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Allen Levi's debut novel Theo of Golden is a feel-good work of love and connection. As the book opens, its protagonist, Theo, has taken lodgings in Golden, Georgia one spring day. We learn that he's in his eighties, was born in Portugal but has lived all over the world, and has made a fortune as a "man of business"—but we don't know why he's in Golden. He stumbles on The Chalice, a coffee shop near his new home, where he becomes enraptured by a series of portraits that adorn the café wall. He befriends the proprietor, who tells him the display is comprised of 92 works drawn by a local artist depicting people who've stopped by the shop over the years. As Theo studies each work of art, he concludes that they don't belong there; they should be hanging in these people's homes. Theo develops a plan: he will buy them one at a time, contact each subject, meet them in the park across the Promenade, and gift them with their portrait.

The bulk of the novel consists of Theo making good on his proposal. As he meets each of the townsfolk, he sits and talks with them for a period of time, learning about their lives. He has the uncanny ability to draw out a person's deepest pain or insecurity (one character remarks that "the old man listened in a way that made one dangerously willing to talk"). Theo speaks to people of the sadness he sees in their portraits, but also the goodness he finds there. He tells each one exactly what they need to hear to make them feel better about themselves. A journalist who's been sent to interview him, for example, has body image issues and is stunned by the beauty she sees in her portrait. "[T]he artist simply drew what he saw and what he saw – who he saw – is a work of art," Theo informs her. He heals the psyches of many people, telling several that there's so much goodness in them that they have the potential to be saints. Those Theo meets, in return, start to act toward others with more kindness and empathy. Readers are treated to many detailed, concise character sketches, and as Theo forms deeper friendships with some, we come to care about them, too. In addition to its unforgettable characters, the book overflows with beautifully descriptive passages:

"The [bench] Theo chose backed up to and was cradled beneath the thick limbs of a chestnut oak…[T]his towering tree, as others had done in other places, served as Theo's quiet companion and mentor in the ancient ways of stillness and listening. It was good company for an old soul."

I suspect that neither the characterization nor the lovely writing is the main reason so many readers adore this book, however. First, I imagine most people will find themselves in at least one of the portraits, and Theo's words of acceptance will likely resonate deeply. Perhaps more importantly, though, readers are encouraged to see those around them through Theo's eyes, focusing on their gifts rather than their failings. Finally, people of faith will almost certainly find inspiration here; Theo firmly believes in the goodness of God and encourages the faith of others by word and by deed. While there is a Christian slant, the book is never preachy, and the author's message of compassion is universal.

From a literary standpoint, Theo of Golden does have a couple of weaknesses. There are a few unpleasant characters Theo interacts with, and they are incredibly one-dimensional. Since the book's message is about finding the goodness buried in each of us, it seems out of step to portray these people with no redeeming qualities. The fact that all the "good" characters are depicted with such depth causes this failing to stand out all the more.

My big complaint, though, is that I felt there could have been a stronger narrative arc. We're drawn into the story by our curiosity about this mysterious do-gooder, but we don't get the answers we seek until the very end, when the author does a large data dump over the last few pages. Levi is great at setting up the action, and all the loose ends are tied up at the conclusion, but there's a lot of text in the middle where there's not a lot of movement, plot-wise. I personally would have appreciated more clues to Theo's identity seeded throughout.

Theo quotes a poem by Wordsworth, saying he wants to commit "little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and love," and that he wishes to be a "formidable source for good." Theo of Golden inspires us to strive to do likewise; it's one of those rare books that may leave the reader a better person after its conclusion. It's a wonderfully optimistic novel that feels like an appropriate antidote to the cynicism and hate of the day.

This review first ran in the December 10, 2025 issue of BookBrowse Recommends.