Theo is a “prescriptive” character, the author explains, who “gives us a way to use our days well, and that is to fill them with little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and love, and just to keep doing the same small things well over a long period of time.”
“We seem to be living in a pretty vitriolic time. A lot of people I talk to are really frustrated, wondering how we can react to the present moment in a way that’s redemptive and life-giving and gracious.”
Phawnda Moore
Allen Levi writes novels in longhand, alone, in a cabin in the woods in a small town in Georgia. He never intended to publish these pages but clearly loves the process of writing, especially of creating credible characters.
A modern Renaissance man, the former attorney, judge and musician-songwriter fits comfortably in both coffee shop crowds and elite creative circles. He admits his natural curiosity is an appealing trait to others, and soon many would also see his belief in wonder and mystery.
Levi wants to be like Theo. “Theo of Golden.”
So do I. Time and events have magnified the importance of the little things. Even if we didn’t cause the problem, there comes the dawn that we are the solution.
If you’ve read Theo of Golden, you’ve probably explained why it has placed No. 1 on the New York Times bestseller list for 24 weeks as of this writing. Perhaps it’s because the prescriptive character takes readers in an almost-forgotten, gentle direction of generosity and love to change the world.
In reading Theo, one returns to the dignity of all, the sheer beauty of humanity and goodness. A reader quickly sees that Theo (whose name means gift from God) is on this earth to serve and love … everyone. One by one, the cast of characters display unlovable qualities, providing reasons to confront, to advise or politely ignore.
And each encounter is yet another opportunity for our hero to show us the power of being human in a wise, gentle, loving way. After a few chapters, I found myself mentally taking notes for self-improvement.
In “The Girlfriend Book Club,” Executive Editor Shelley Emling sat down with Levi, an unpretentious person who is modest and humble, yet determined and filled with purpose. He speaks of being a servant, of growing in his faith. He says at the end of most days, he’s often grateful, thankful.
“Let beauty into your soul.”
Levi also takes time to see the importance of flowers, is attentive and adoring. “Let beauty into your soul,” he says.
Despite hard times in a noisy world, Theo of Golden illustrates “creative generosity, the importance of wonder to a purposeful life, and the invisible threads of kindness that bind us to one another.”
Like Theo, Levi’s life is modeled in faith after the “one who loved me most.”
He read 1 Corinthians 13, including: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. … And now these three remain: Faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
Phawnda Moore is a Northern California artist and award-winning author of Lettering from A to Z: 12 Styles & Awesome Projects for a Creative Life. In living a creative life, she shares spiritual insights from traveling, gardening and cooking. Find her on Facebook at Calligraphy & Design by Phawnda and Instagram at phawnda.moore