Theo of Golden by Allen Levi Book Review

Title: Theo of Golden
Author: Allen Levi
Publisher: Atria Books / Simon Maverick
Genre: Literary Fiction / Contemporary Fiction
Year of Publication: 2025
Date of Publication: October 3, 2025
Pages: 400
ISBN-10: 1668236516
ISBN-13: 978-1668236512
Audiobook Narrator: David Morse

Our Rating of This Book

**Summary of Theo of Golden by Allen Levi**

Theo of Golden tells the story of an 86 year old man named Theo who arrives in a small town in Georgia, named Golden. No one knows much about his background and why he chose this particular town, but his presence soon begins to affect the lives of the people around him.

One morning, Theo visits a local coffee shop named the Chalice and notices that there are ninety-two pencil portraits hanging on the walls. He learns that the portraits are of the townspeople and that they were created by a local artist who initially started hanging around the coffee shop. The artist had the idea to display them there and when one sells, to replace the portrait with another but sales never really picked up. Each portrait included a price tag and Theo was baffled by how low the prices seemed to be compared to the quality of each portrait. He decides to purchase each portrait one at a time and return it to the person depicted and calls this act a bestowal. In exchange, he simply asks them to share their story.

As Theo meets each person, friendships form, secrets surface, and some of the residents share their struggles and parts of their lives with him. Through these bestowals, Theo connects with the community and the mystery of his own past slowly unfolds.

This is a novel about kindness, connection, friendships, forgiveness, the importance of truly seeing others, and how one person can have an impact on an entire community.

Main Plot & Characters

Theo – An older man who arrives in Golden and whose acts of generocity begins to transform the community. Theo is originally from Portugal.
Asher Glissen – He is the local artist who created the ninety-two portraits that inspire Theo’s journey. Asher is Minnette’s uncle and a father to Samantha.
Shep and Addie Carlile – They operate the Chalice, which is one of the most popular businesses in the area. They sell drinks and light pastries.
Minnette Prentiss – She is the first woman Theo interviews after buying her portrait. She works as a certified public accountant. Asher is her uncle.
Derrick – He is Minnette’s husband. Derrick is a lawyer and works as a prosecutor for the District Attorney’s office.
Tony – He is a bookseller at a shop called Verbiovore.
Pierce Glissen – He is Minnette’s father and a brother to Asher.
Simone LaVoy – He is a graduate student at Golden University. Simone plays the cello. He came over from the State of Washington because he wanted to study under a famed professor.
James Ponder – He is a broker and a consultant. He owns an apartment.
Mrs. Gidley – She is Mr. Ponder’s secretary.
Kendrick Whitaker – He is Lamisha’s dad and works as a custodian at the university.
Lamisha – She is Kendrick’s daughter. Lamisha was in a car accident
Basil Cannonfield – He is a guy who plays the guitar on the sidewalk near the Chalice.
Ellen – She is a woman who was homeless and her portrait was also displayed at the Chalice.
Mr. Mendez (the little man) – He was facing charges relating to a car accident.
Samantha – She is the daughter of Asher and Brooke.
Katherine Lesker – A writer for a local newspaper.

Writing Style

First of all, we couldn’t believe that this is Allen Levi’s first book. It is such a beautiful and well-written story. There are some books that when you read them they leave an impact on your life, and this story is one of them. It reminded us of how we felt when we read A Man Called Ove and The Longest Ride, actually Theo’s character has the same aura we loved about Ira Levinson.

Levi tells the story using a narration style. Theo as a main character is absolutely fantastic but what makes this story extremely powerful is the impact of the supporting characters including Tony, Ellen, Kendrick, Simone, and Basil. The way Tony, for example, describes the effects of the war and how he views mankind afterward really made us think, especially given the times we are currently living in.

There are parts of each character’s story where you may shed a few tears, which is why when we read Levi describe the novel as “an accidental novel,” we were like if he decides to go even harder on his next novel, it’s over for us! The dedication for this book also made us smile.

Memorable Quotes

“Maybe an end with a future.” — Theo
“I have tasted heaven.” — Theo
“I’m grateful for the Theo in you.” — Allen Levi
“…if nothing else, the war made me honest. It cured me of any romantic notions I had about the human race. Creatures who are capable of doing the things that happened there don’t have much to brag about.” — Tony

**Final Thoughts on Theo of Golden by Allen Levi**

Theo of Golden is a story that reminds us of the power of kindness and human connection. Allen Levi gives us a story that feels authentic and characters that are truly unforgettable. The novel makes us really think about what should really matter in life. Through Theo’s bestowals, the novel shows how listening to people’s stories can create healing, restore hope, and bring a community closer together.

If you enjoyed books centered around community, friendship, and second chances, then Theo of Golden is definitely worth reading. It is a reminder that sometimes the smallest acts of kindness can have the greatest impact.

Rating

Characters ★★★★★ (5/5)
Plot ★★★★★ (5/5)
Writing ★★★★★ (5/5)
Book Cover ★★★★★ (5/5) Audiobook (Narration only) ★★★★★ (5/5)
Overall ★★★★★ (5/5)

**What are your thoughts on Theo of Golden by Allen Levi? Which of the bestowals did you find most impactful? Share your thoughts and until next time, keep turning those pages.**

Authors

Ufuoma Akpotaire
Ufuoma Akpotaire is a passionate book, movie and music reviewer with a love for travel and culture. She combines her enthusiasm for storytelling with her experience exploring new places and stories. Through her reviews, she celebrates creativity and inspires readers to appreciate the connections between books, movies, music, travel, and global cultures.
Nathaniel Adebayo
Nathaniel is a Media Content Specialist at Verayea, where he specializes in curating content and gathering data for the company’s extensive book library. He is also dedicated to writing insightful reviews, offering thoughtful perspectives on a range of media. His work ensures that Verayea’s library is comprehensive, well-organized, and informative, providing valuable resources for its audience.