Theo of Golden

A Novel

By: Allen Levi

Narrated by: David Morse

THE #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING PHENONEMON

A Katie Couric Book Club Pick • A Jen Hatmaker Book Club Pick

“[A] word-of-mouth smash hit.” —The New York Times

“A treasure.” —Hoda Kotb

One spring morning, a stranger named Theo arrives in the small Southern city of Golden. He doesn’t explain much about where he came from or why he’s there—but when he visits the local coffeehouse, where pencil portraits of the people of Golden hang on the walls, he begins purchasing them, one at a time, and giving each portrait to the person depicted. In exchange, he asks only for the person’s story. And so portrait by portrait, person by person, secrets are revealed, regrets are shared, and ordinary lives are profoundly altered.

A story of giving and receiving, of seeing and being seen, Theo of Golden is an unforgettable novel about the power of generosity, the importance of connection, and the quiet miracles that happen when we choose kindness and wonder.

Narrated by multiple Emmy and Tony award nominee David Morse, with a brand-new afterword about the writing of Theo of Golden, narrated by the author himself.

Critic reviews

"A feel-good story about missed opportunities, regrets, and reconciliation."

"Theo, a charming, mysterious elderly man, wanders into a cozy coffee shop in Golden, Georgia. He notices graceful pencil portraits hanging on the wall and vows to buy them and gift them to the subjects. Actor David Morse beautifully portrays Theo with a gentle melancholy and deep empathy for everyone he meets on his journey. Theo befriends the talented artist, and, with Morse’s distinctive style and heartfelt emotion, a truly inspiring and uplifting story unfolds. Theo carries secrets, and Morse thoughtfully slows the pace, lending emotional weight to each encounter as the inevitable climax approaches, when all will be revealed."

It has some great moral lessons, but it’s a bit too religious for my personal taste.

I liked the characters and the small town feeling the author portrays. Though the story felt preachy and a bit judgmental at times much of that gets resolved when Theo’s past comes to light, I was able to look beyond the religious connotations and appreciate the non-denominational morals and values of treating others with kindness and love.
The performance was excellent.

Outstanding

I have listened to well over 200 audible books. And I have hundreds and hundreds of books that I have read prior to me being introduced to audible, years ago, by a friend. This book took my breath away. It was the most delicious and warmest story I have ever encountered. I had no problem going back one or two or three chapters so the book would not end . This was Allen Levi’s first book. That is an awesome and overwhelming fact. Halfway through the book, I became concerned as to how the book was going to end. I never wanted to get there. What a wonderful, wonderful story and the narration was phenomenal. Read it. Enjoy it. And treasure it as I have.

A Beautiful and Inspirational Story

I loved this novel and was often moved to tears as I read it. This story will inspire many to lead a meaningful life as they connect with others in a deeply personal way. Along our journey, I pray that as we build connections through friendship and love, we will inspire many to deepen their faith. Our magnificent Creator is the greatest artist and our Loving Savior is the most beautiful example of One who inspired so many through kindness and love!

Wonderful

Listening to the last few words of this beautiful novel with chills. Thank you, Mister Levi. Wonderful book to listen to during the holidays.

Enjoyable book with one caveat

I enjoyed this book overall and really liked getting to know Theo and the other residents of Golden.
That said, I had one issue, which came in chapters 42 and 43. The shift felt completely out of left field and came across as the author pushing a strong political agenda. There were several inconsistencies and logical fallacies that pulled me out of the story. In one instance, an illegal immigrant kills a woman and severely injures her daughter, yet the narrative frames the phrase “illegal immigrant kills American mother and cripples little girl” as politically toxic, using that reasoning to justify reducing the charge to a misdemeanor. That made no sense. Murder is not a misdemeanor, regardless of who commits it.
On top of that, the portrayal of the illegal immigrant relied on exaggerated and logically flawed reasoning that felt absurd and unnecessary. It simply did not fit with the rest of the book and was deeply frustrating. There were also smaller but glaring inconsistencies. For example, the text shifts from “you never once looked at me” to “I never once looked at you.” If neither person ever looked at the other, how could either know that to be true? Moments like that were distracting and undermined the credibility of the scene.
I realize this is minor (only two chapters), but still left me frustrated.
Other than the seemingly weird political push for illegal immigration it was a lovely book.