Theo of Golden

My gift this year to many was a copy of this lovely book. As I read and saw the impact that Theo's bestowals upon the people who received them, I wanted to have the same impact on the people in my life.

So, I gave Allen Levi's novel to a number of people this Christmas. More than just the book, I wrote a meaningful message inside the cover as to why these individuals were receiving them. I believe as they read the book, it will become even more meaningful to them when they make the connection between the book and their own little "bestowal."

I was memorized by this book. Theo's kindness, his desire to make good with as many as possible, inspired me as a father, teacher, and human being to have as many positive interactions as possible while I am able to--not to wait until I am 87. I do admit that I was worried while reading that "something" was going to ruin the read. As I read (and I blame the English teacher in me) I wondered, "Where is the conflict? Where is the twist?" I knew it couldn't just be about Theo handing out portraits the entire novel and the wonderful experiences that he had.

As I finished the book last night, I was not disappointed in the ending (Levi does a masterful job of tying all the strings together) but I didn't LOVE it as much as I loved the rest of the book. I am not sure why this book has not gotten more publicity than it has, I do believe it is the ultimate "feel good" novel that people would love, and Levi's writing style is poetic and worthy of praise. The secondary characters are wonderfully deep and for me it is in my top 5 books of all time. I can't WAIT for the people in my life to read it so I have someone to talk to about it--but I wondered if others had the same kind of reaction.

I struggle to find what to read next as I am looking for another soul searching message/theme and the pile that I have right now don't appear to have the depth to fill that void left by Theo's conclusion. You know that quote about "knowing you've read a good book when you get to the end and feel like you've lost a friend"...that's how I feel this morning.

HELP!

>1 RLPatriot: I agree that this is a beautifully written book with a lovely message especially in this time of uncertainty. I also agree that I was uncomfortable reading the ending but there is no better one. Life can be uncomfortable and beautiful at the same time and this book portrayed all of that. We should spend our time doing what is good and using that to balance what makes us uncomfortable. Theo managed to do that for himself and for those whom he blessed with his friendship.

>1 RLPatriot: - I'm still in the middle of the book, but I think it might go into my top 5 too. I'm already thinking of people that I want to give this to also. I did see that he has written a memoir about his brother and that he's working on a sequel called "Ellen of Golden". I'm wondering if the end left room for this sequel. I guess I'll find out when I get to the end.

>4 dudes22: Have you finished? What were your thoughts?

>3 krazy4katz: Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I have continued my "Theo Mission" and the responses have been amazing! My biggest problem is now every book I have tried to read since has seemed...shallow. :(

I miss Theo and the way he made me feel.

>5 RLPatriot: - Sorry I forgot to check back in. This WILL be the BEST book I read this year. I've been telling everyone about and I've lent my copy out a couple of times. I decided to read his non-fiction book which is a memoir about his brother. Also excellent. And I read that he is working on a sequel called "Ellen of Golden".

>7 dudes22: So you would recommend the book about his brother? I just started "The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife hoping to fill the void. I've read Ove (liked it), Sam Hell (meh), now Frederick. Maybe I should have went with the book about his brother sooner.

>8 RLPatriot: - I think I would. It's non-fiction and it's not a "happy" read, but I thought it was very good.