THEO OF GOLDEN
The Gulf Harbour Book Club met on March 2 to discuss Theo of Golden by Allen Levi. We had a great meeting without the author in person. There were 39 of us in attendance.
Allen grew up in Columbus, Georgia, attended University of Georgia for degrees in English and Law, and worked as an attorney from 1980 to 1990. He left law practice for two years in 1990, moved to Scotland, and, while there, received a degree in Scottish fiction from the University of Edinburgh. He returned home, resumed law practice for three years, and finally ventured into vocational music in 1996.
Since then, he has worked as a traveling musician, sharing his whimsical, thought-provoking brand of songwriting and storytelling to audiences across the U.S. He has over twenty albums to his credit, as well as hundreds of other unpublished songs.
In 2014, he published The Last Sweet Mile, a memoir of the close friendship he shared with his brother, Gary, who died in 2012. He also wrote and published a children’s book, Oliviatown, adapted from a song of the same title.
Allen published his first novel, Theo of Golden, in 2023. It has since become a sensation. His next book is Ellen of Golden.
When not reading or writing Allen cares for family acreage where he lives with his father, tries to spend time with family nearby, keeps a full schedule of involvement in the small community around him, and dreams of being an artist someday.
Theo of Golden is a character-driven novel about Theo (Gamez Theophilus Zilavez), an 86-year-old Portuguese artist and widower who brings transformative, intentional acts of kindness to a small Georgia town. He connects with residents, including a struggling artist, a homeless woman, and a bookseller, by gifting them meaningful portraits. For most of us we considered it heartwarming.
The Gulf Harbour Book Club meets on the first Monday of each month in the Fitness Center. If you want to join the Book Club email [email protected]. Zoom is available for Members if the author allows it. We had 9 authors lined up for the 2025/2026 season. We already had Kristen Harmel, Jane Yang and Abi Dare and Zelly Ruskin, Kate Quinn and Bernhard Schlink. March was Theo of Golden, April is Chris Torockio for The Soul Hunters.
Theo has brought lots of joy and meaning to the many characters in the book. I have listed them below.
Key characters in the novel include:
- Theo (Gamez Theophilus Zilavez/Zila): An elderly, wise, and kind Portuguese-American artist who acts as a catalyst for change in the community.
- Asher Glissen: A prominent local portrait artist whose work captures the souls of the town’s residents.
- Minnette Prentiss: A CPA who receives the first of Theo’s bestowed portraits.
- Tony (Antony Wilcox): A sardonic, witty bookstore owner and Vietnam veteran who becomes a close friend of Theo.
- Ellen: A complex, intelligent, and eccentric homeless woman and artist.
- Simone Lavoie: A gifted young cellist who receives support from Theo.
- Kendrick Whitaker: A hardworking custodian and devoted father to his daughter, Lamisha.
- James Ponder: The owner of Ponder House and Theo’s landlord.
- Basil Cannonfield: A street musician and grieving brother.
- Shep and Addelyn (Addy) Carlile: Owners of “The Chalice” coffee shop.
