Theo of Golden

 

    This is one of those books that has depth and message, along with a good story about people and lives.  Theo is a fascinating character - in a quiet way.  It's a bit unusual to have an 80+ man as the main character of a book, but it works well in this novel and I'm grateful for the inspiration in Theo's life.

    A dear friend of mine Greta very highly recommended the book to me and even said she bought two copies - one to share and one to keep for herself.  That is high praise for a book!

    The book is thick and it's not a mystery or thriller or romance or spy novel - or any of my normal "reads," but I'm always game for something different and I dove into the book.  I was not disappointed!  It's a delightful book   It inspires, entertains, pulls at the heart-strings - and so much more.  I gave the book the full five-stars and felt it needed more.  

    If you like to read and you care about people; if you are interested in learning about people's lives and have a desire to encourage them along -- this book will appeal to you too.

    I've included an excerpt below, but it will reveal a bit about the end which you will probably figure out as you go along anyway, but I just want to warn that it's a bit of a spoiler so you might want to stop here.  If you decide to read Theo of Golden, I hope you'll enjoy it as much as I did!

An excerpt from the book describes a bit about the kind of man Theo was.  The words are spoken by Father Lundy as a eulogy:

       "In Theo's honor, and in keeping with the hope that expressed itself so radiantly in his life, I read these words of promise from Another, a far greater One who lived obscurely among His neighbors long ago, an Artist Himself, the One who, for Theo, defined life and love and goodness.  The One who alone makes us good and wise and happy."

       After the priest read from the gospels of Matthew and John, he prayed, "...And if it is true that begging is our only wisdom, then we beg, dear Lord, that this man's presence in our lives will not have been in vain but instead that we will perpetuate the obedient faith, the cheerful hope, and the generous love that he made so beautifully visible while he was here among us.  Might the light of his countenance, how he loved, and who he loved, inspire us to follow him, even as he followed the Christ in whose name we pray.  Amen."