Every once in a while, a book comes along that just makes you feel good about people, and Theo of Golden by Allen Levi was that book for me.
Interestingly, Theo of Golden is Allen Levi’s first novel, which he originally self-published in 2023. The book took off largely through word of mouth, selling more than 175,000 copies before being picked up by a major publisher. It has since become a #1 New York Times bestseller and sold more than one million copies. I love the idea that such a quiet book about kindness found its audience in much the same way—one person recommending it to another which is exactly how I came across this novel.
The story begins when Theo, a kind but somewhat mysterious older gentleman, arrives in the small Southern town of Golden. While visiting a local coffee shop, he discovers 92 pencil portraits of local residents hanging on the walls. Theo begins quietly purchasing the portraits, one by one, and giving them to the people depicted in them. Along the way, he gets to know their stories, forms friendships and, through seemingly small acts of generosity and kindness, begins to have a profound impact on the people around him.
There is no great mystery to solve or edge-of-your-seat suspense in this book. Instead, it is a collection of beautifully interconnected stories about ordinary people, their struggles, regrets, relationships and the importance of truly seeing the people around us. I found Theo to be such an endearing character and loved watching the ripple effect his kindness had throughout the community.
In a world where we seem to be constantly bombarded with bad news, I found Theo of Golden to be a refreshing reminder that small acts of kindness really do matter. It is heartwarming without being overly sentimental and left me thinking about the kind of impact we can have on other people, often without ever realizing it. If you are looking for a gentle, uplifting read that might just restore a little of your faith in humanity, then I suggest you pick this one up.
