Robin’s Rave Reviews 2026
General Fiction – Contemporary Fiction – Southern Fiction –
Christian Fiction – Book Club Fiction – Mystery – Art Elements
THEO OF GOLDEN by Allen Levi is described as an endearing story of a curious old man who quietly moves into a southern city and, for reasons unknown to anyone but himself, undertakes a campaign of anonymous generosity.
As popular as THEO OF GOLDEN has been, I probably don’t need to blog about it. It’s been highly publicized, but if this is one of your only sources of book recommendations, it’s possible you haven’t heard of it. Since I only blog about books I love, let me be the one to suggest you get a copy for yourself and one for a friend or relative who hasn’t read it yet. It’s a gentle book about being kind, the type of book we need today.
Book Summary
Eighty-six-year-old Theo arrives in Golden, a small town in Georgia. He has a calming spirit and takes interest in the lives of the people who live there. The walls of the local coffee shop is covered in a local artist’s pencil sketches. He takes time to admire the faces of the café’s patrons in each sketch with admiration and thoughtfulness. He decides to buy them all over time and gift them to the person portrayed in each sketch, no strings attached.
Theo invites them (one at a time) to join him on a bench in the center of town to receive his gift, unsure they will trust his pure intentions enough to meet him. When they arrive, Theo asks them each to tell him about themselves. Surprised that someone is taking an interest in them, most of the recipients feel comfortable enough to open up. They seem glad someone is taking the time to listen and to see them. Some ask him questions, but Theo has a way of turning the conversation away from himself. Through Theo’s interactions, we get small snapshots of everyday people in a small town and gradually learn who Theo is and why he picked Golden, Georgia.
My Thoughts
It’s a formidable task to review THEO OF GOLDEN by Allen Levi because it’s that good. My words cannot do it justice. Although it’s more literary than I usually read, I love this book.
Books don’t often make me emotional, but this one touched my heart in a way other books haven’t. It’s something I felt deep in my soul as I read the last few chapters and closed the book. THEO OF GOLDEN may not be everyone’s cup of tea, no book is, but you should give it a try.
I was curious how characters would respond to Theo when he asks them to share about themselves. My guess is that most people today would clam up, closely guarding the private lives. And yet, the residents of Golden don’t. They don’t assume Theo would use information against them or scam them, like we might believe today. It’s reminiscent of days when people sat on front porches talking with neighbors and didn’t have to question everyone’s intentions. It’s about human connection, about taking time to just sit with someone and discover more about who they are. It’s about kindness and accepting people where they are.
THEO OF GOLDEN is a story about the joy of giving, but also how the receiving can change a person’s heart and view of themselves. I like that Theo chooses to use his wealth to help others. How often do we see that happen? Buying the sketches is only one way he does that.
Keep in mind that this isn’t a fast-pace, action book. It’s slow-paced, like Theo. He takes time to listen to others, and he develops relationships with people in the town. It’s a quiet book, like sitting down with a friend over a cup of coffee. So, if that isn’t your thing, that’s okay. Move on to something else. I found it refreshing.
Theo has a gift to draw people out, to get them to share their hurts, desires, and problems. It’s as if these strangers crave someone who will take time to listen, someone who cares about their stories. Could many of us be in need of that kind of kindness? We wouldn’t expect strangers to open up like that, but perhaps it’s part of a deep human need that isn’t being met today. As we learn the stories of average, everyday people, we anticipate learning Theo’s story. He’s a bit of a mystery until the last part of the book.
I should tell you that Theo is a Christian. (Not knowing that up front put off some readers.) He is trying to do good, Christian acts, but I appreciate that Theo and other Christians in the story aren’t represented as perfect people. Theo is trying to face his regrets and make up for past mistakes. Also, he isn’t at his best when he reacts to a man sitting on “his bench.” On the other hand, when a certain visitor shows up for church service, only Theo and one woman have a Christian response toward her. The rest of the congregation, not so much. It just shows that even people in a church aren’t perfect and make mistakes. They aren’t there because they’re perfect. They’re there because they’re trying to do better.
Some readers have harshly judged some of the author’s choices concerning his characters. The world is so politically charged these days, and people seem to be looking for anything to criticize. Yes, I do believe some authors use their novels to support their opinion and advance an agenda. If Allen Levi has an agenda, it’s to spread kindness. Not much to argue about there. Even with some reader criticism, THEO OF GOLDEN has over 350,000 Goodreads ratings with a 4.5/5 star average. That speaks for itself.
Simon and Schuster published THEO OF GOLDEN after noticing its success in the self-published world. If you’re going to buy a copy, I suggest ordering through Bookshop.org. I am now an affiliate of Bookshop.org because I love their mission to support small, independent bookstores across the country. To be transparent, I may receive a small commission from your order, but it doesn’t increase your cost AND you’re helping small bookstores! Win-win! You can order THEO OF GOLDEN HERE. Â And check out my Bookshop page with other great recommendations HERE.
About the Author
Allen Levi grew up in Columbus, Georgia. He has degrees in English and Law from the University of Georgia and a degree in Scottish fiction from the University of Edinburgh, and he has worked as an attorney. He now works as a traveling musician, sharing his thought-provoking songwriting and storytelling to audiences across the U.S. With over twenty albums to his credit, Allen also has hundreds of unpublished songs.
Before THEO OF GOLDEN, Allen published a memoir, The Last Sweet Mile, about his close friendship with his brother who died in 2012, and a children’s book, Oliviatown. THEO OF GOLDEN is his first published novel.
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