Book Review: Theo of Golden
Theo of Golden begins as a slow roll but that in itself is a gift. Theo is captivating and his pace is enticing. So, without realizing it, I slowed down to smell the roses, as it were, and let Theo teach me something about seeing what’s right in front of me.
What worked
The author’s descriptions of art, music, nature, and people are thought-provoking. As a musician, the cellist was most interesting to me, and the fact that Theo was a classical music aficionado just thrilled my heart. I will not give a spoiler, but I will encourage you to let yourself fall in love with Simone. (See Bonus below.)
Theo’s intention to bestow gifts personally was sweet, exciting, and a little dangerous all at the same time. The characters Theo interacted with varied greatly, making the story rich. A sick child, a homeless woman on a bicycle, a humming janitor, a wife who longs to be a mom, a cello student, a street musician, a bookstore owner, an artist. Theo becomes the thread that binds them together.
Who Theo is and why he is in Golden is a mystery that kept me turning pages to the end.
These themes have stayed with me long after I closed the book: the gift of beauty, "good sadness," and forgiveness.
"There is the beautiful possibility that great love can grow out of great sadness if it is well-tended. . . we are masters at masking our sadness, but deep down inside, if we are honest, we know that there is an unsatisfied longing deep inside all of us." (p.224)
Who it is for
Anyone who enjoys people-watching will enjoy Theo of Golden. Imagine if you actually stopped to talk to the people you are watching at the airport or the mall. . . well, you might be surprised by their stories. Theo gave me the courage to talk to strangers on a recent international trip. I met a musician from Manhattan, a barista from London, and a retired FAA specialist turned ham radio enthusiast. It was one delightful conversation after another.
I also recommend this book to anyone who needs to slow down. I challenge you to read a chapter or two at night and then take your pulse. It’ll help.
CAUTIONS
There is one crunchy character who turns to alcohol to keep traumatic war memories at bay.
There is a scene of violence done on a vulnerable person. It is written well and appropriate to the story, but it could be difficult for a sensitive person.
STAR RATING
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars for good writing, great characters, and a beautiful redemptive arc.
Bonus
Playlist of all the songs mentioned in the book.
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