Blink Book Review: Allen Levi’s “Theo of Golden”

By Reba Hull Campbell

Theo of Golden was high on my TBR list for summer this year. From what I’d heard, it needed to be a summer book – one that I could take my time with and savor rather than power through it like I do with a mystery or thriller.

I listened to the audio book and felt that experience certainly impacted my connection to the story (although this is the kind of book I know I would have marked up and underlined had I read a hard copy.). The narrator’s voice was spot on!

There was so much to love about Theo of Golden that I wasn’t expecting. Far more than just the story of an elderly man who arrives in a small town and meets people in unusual ways, I found a delightfully woven tale with a meaning that settles in over time.

I was so drawn to the story of Theo, a rather mysterious, kind-of-quirky 86-year-old gentleman who settles in a small Georgia town one spring. His bid for connection to people in the town begins with a collection of pencil portrait drawings he discovers hanging in a downtown coffee shop.

Everything we learn about Theo from the first chapter indicates he is an observant, deliberate, thoughtful (as in thought-filled in addition to kind) man. Sure, I was curious about what took him to this small town. But that curiosity never overshadowed my intrigue with the rich characters who populate Theo’s time in Golden as he chooses these portraits, one by one, to gift them to the people who are depicted.

The book weaves together the stories of these people who are young and old, wealthy and struggling, boisterous and quiet, trusting and doubt-filled. All receive the gift of Theo’s time, attention and empathy – in addition to the pencil portrait drawing he offers them while communicating with the universal language of “I see you.”

A few of my favorite things about this book include the delightful name of the local bookstore – the Verbivore. I loved the stories about his native Portugal (now I really want to visit). Theo’s repeated references to the calming effects of water and sunsets spoke directly to me as one who draws strength and comfort from both. Stray bird feathers show up in the story of one of the locals Theo befriends. My mother always loved finding and holding on to bird feathers.

And finally, I have to mention the town itself. As I read, I had a deep sense of familiarity. I recognized the description of the downtown with the central boulevard. I felt connected to the story of riding a bicycle on the bluff overlooking the river. I later realized that the town is modeled after Columbus, Georgia, where I have visited (and ridden my bike) with my cousin who lives there. She has many stories of the real life people associated with Theo’s gifts.

I finished this book over a month ago and still reflect on it daily. I’ve thought often that everyone needs to have a Theo in their life – that person who truly hears someone’s story. Or maybe more importantly, everyone needs to strive to be a Theo – that person who listens deeply to and connects with others’ stories.

In 2022, Reba Campbell set out to get off the screens and back to books for the summer. Her accountability was writing short Blink Book Reviews (so short you can read them in a blink). Now it’s an annual summer thing on her Substack, Random Connect Points. Join Reba’s Blink Book Review Facebook group to follow along. Reba is president of Columbia, SC-based The Medway Group and can be reached at [email protected].