Theo of Golden

by Allen Levi

A common question: “What is Theo of Golden about?” I can answer that two ways. In summary, it is about a humble, Portuguese man in his 80’s, Theo, who comes to live in the town of Golden, Georgia. He visits a coffee shop with a wall decor of 92 framed portraits and is inspired to connect each pencil drawing with the person represented. He buys a picture, invites the subject of the drawing to a park bench, gifts the depiction, and encourages that person to talk about themselves. That description is accurate, but falls short. Theo of Golden is about kindness, about looking into a person’s eyes to see their soul, about listening to their story, and about walking alongside them in times of pain and of joy. Yes, Theo of Golden is about kindness. Not random acts of kindness, but intentional, well-planned, respectful acts of kindness that are born of love.

Theo of Golden can be viewed as a book with Christian themes—or not. Its perspective is that of a man who wants to make the world a better place. I don’t think the author set out to write a “Christian book”; but, as a Christian, he did create a character who lives out the example set by Jesus. Kindness is held to be a positive value, something one should ascribe to, whether viewed as part of the Christian faith or not.

Most of the book is a slow and careful revelation of Theo. He is  initially an enigma to the townspeople, but soon they accept him, appreciating casual interactions on a daily basis or a deep friendship with him that develops for some of them. Along the way to learning more about Theo, we meet many of his new friends—a night janitor whose daughter is hospitalized after an accident, a talented graduate student with a passion for the cello, and a homeless lady with mental issues. Tony, the owner of the Verbivore, a bookstore, is perpetually “a week away from closing his doors.” Asher is the prolific artist who created the portraits. Theo, with his quiet, calm, and kind ways, makes a difference in all of their lives and in that of so many of Golden’s residents.

Theo of Golden is a book that deserves a re-read as so many details will take on more depth of meaning when the reader has the benefit of a type of omniscience in regards to the characters and the plot. This novel will enchant and inspire; it will bring chuckles and tears. In the end, it will leave no reader unmoved.

Rating: 5/5

Category: Literary Fiction

Notes: Theo of Golden is Levi’s first novel, but it has taken the book world by storm. It is at the top of the New York Times bestseller list, with currently over a million copies sold since its publication by Atria. Before that, as a self-published book, 175,000 copies had been sold. 

Publication:  October 3, 2025—Atria

Memorable Lines:

“…for anything to be good, truly good, there must be love in it.”

“I confess that at first I did it hoping to make someone else happy. Now I fear that my reasons are almost entirely selfish. I do it because it brings such happiness to me.”

The little girl savors the warmth and expressiveness of the old man’s voice. It is not merely a sound. It is a place. A color. A haven.

“There is no virtue in advertising one’s sadness. But there is no wisdom in denying it either. And there is the beautiful possibility that great love can grow out of sadness if it is well-tended. Sadness can make us bitter or wise. We get to choose.”

“Baby, they’s justice and they’s mercy. If you not sure what to do and you gotta choose one or the other, I say always go the mercy way. If you make a mistake, make it for mercy. Bad mercy don’t hurt nearly like bad justice, and always remember, the eye of God can see.”