Book Bites (Expanded Edition): Theo of Golden

Theo of Golden by Allen Levi
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

Theo of Golden is an overlong, oversweet, novel-length parable. There is no conflict or narrative tension or character growth; the book unfolds as a series of "and then..."s almost entirely free of hurdles or consequence. Any obstacle against Theo getting to know the residents of Golden GA through the gifting of portraits is quickly hand-waved away.

The supposed lesson aims well: that if we only slow down and see one another, listen to one another, then the world becomes a more beautiful place. The execution of said message, however, is clumsy to the point that the story feels cynical (and really, Becky Chambers' Monk and Robot books hit the same morals only much, much better). There are sidelong critiques of how things are versus how things used to be, reading like an old man shaking his head and muttering, "kids these days..."  

The poison at the heart of the story is that really its not Theo, but Theo's amazing wealth and influence that improve the citizens of Golden, GA. Cellist Simone is gifted a priceless bow for his cello. Unhoused Ellen is given material goods and eventually the means to help. For Lamisha and Kendrick Whitaker. Theo imports the best surgeon in the country and pays all of the little girl's medical bills! The story means to say we should pay attention and be kind. What the story ends up saying is that problems are best solved through wealth and privilege. 

I'd welcome a critique of wealth and power. Theo of Golden doesn't seem to be interested.

There's also the problem of Theo's secret identity. The fact that Theo is 1) a famous artist and 2) Asher's father are withheld for plot reasons. The whole thing feels contrived. When Theo's identity is finally revealed to the people of Golden--only after his death(!)--this reveal does reenforce the novel's lessons but rather upends them, casting his largesse in an oddly selfish light. Did he help Golden entirely from a sense of Christian kindness or simply to be near an estranged son? And why would he not introduce himself to said son? To only identify himself via a note left with his will feels cruel.

There are moments of real humanity and sweetness here, and the intended lesson is undeniable, but without any craft or string to pull the plot along, Theo of Golden fails as a novel and becomes an overlong lecture.

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