This is another of those books that snuck up on me, not sure where I learned of it but it was available in our library and what a great find. It came out of nowhere and I didn’t even get it into my list of currently reading and it ended way too soon, and now is in my recommended list. David Morse does a marvelous job with the voices and accents, and narrating the story. Patty is waiting for it to become available and I am waiting to watch her read it and then discuss it.
The author, Allen Levi is primarily known as a singer-songwriter, and his prose reflects that same lyrical, observant, and warm-hearted quality. Theo of Golden is a charming, fable-like story that feels like a “modern classic.”
Read Theo of Golden if you need a “soul-cleansing” book. It is a quiet, profound story that celebrates extraordinary goodness in an ordinary man. If you enjoy books like A Gentleman in Moscow or the gentle wisdom of Lonesome Dove, you will love the way Levi explores the ripple effects of a life well-lived. It was a perfect book to listen to while in my one-person blind, waiting for birds to photograph.
- Allen Levi
- Literary Fiction
- Rich
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Set in the fictional, idyllic town of Golden, the story follows Theo, a man of simple means and immense character. Theo is a weaver by trade, but his true craft is the way he interacts with his neighbors and the world around him.
The novel is a series of interconnected moments and reflections that reveal Theo’s “theology of the everyday.” It follows his life from youth to old age, focusing on his quiet resilience, his capacity for wonder, and the way his presence slowly transforms the community of Golden. It is less about a single dramatic plot point and more about the accumulation of a meaningful life.
⭐ Reviews
Commonplace Reader:“Allen Levi has written a book that feels like a long, deep breath. In a world of noise and chaos, Theo is a reminder that kindness is a quiet but unstoppable force. It is a stunning debut.”
The Rabbit Room:
“Lyrical and luminescent. Levi’s songwriting background is evident in every sentence; the prose has a musicality and a light that is rare in modern fiction. It is a book that makes you want to be a better person.”