THEO OF GOLDEN

Theo of Golden by Allen Levi divided The Den and has therefore made into our Wild Card category. The story is about a gentleman in the latter years of his life giving back, forming new friendships and changing people’s lives. Some of us loved the unrushed, gentle pace of the book and viewed his philanthropy as uplifting and inspiring. Others in the Den found the storyline repetitive and a little saccharine which made the novel drag. Therefore, a good book club choice to make your own opinion.

Theo, a wealthy Portuguese octogenarian arrives in Golden to settle his business affairs. He sets himself up in the small town in a beautiful top floor flat in Ponder House, above the offices of his legal advisor and confidant of his concerns. Theo soon establishes himself as a popular presence around town whilst at the same time revealing little about himself. In particular, he becomes a daily customer at the local coffee shop run by Shep the Barrister. Shep uses his coffee shop to display the portraits of a local artist called Asher. Theo, clearly an expert on art, falls in love with the portraits. He decides to start buying them one by one and gifting them to the subject in the painting. Each handover reveals a story or unexpected secret, sometimes life-changing

As Theo’s presence round the town becomes accepted, he acquires a certain status of professional and knowledgeable renown. He is warm and generous both with his time and his money as he forges friendships with Ellen the established homeless lady inseparable from her bike, Tony the Vietnam war veteran and bookseller, Kendrick and his daughter Lamisha who suffers from a very damaged leg following a car accident and Simone the talented cellist.

Many in the Den found this is a heart-warming story about giving back, bringing people together and enjoying the gentle nuances of living within a local community. However, some of the Den found Theo too perfect and virtuous and at times the pace can drag. Theo has so many areas of expertise his character becomes too trite and a little grating. But the premise of the story is unique and builds up into an interesting emotional crescendo. Definitely one to open up a book club debate.