Exploring Theo of Golden
Before and Beyond the Story
I’ve now read Theo of Golden three times. I missed a lot the first time and made some changes in additional readings to get more out of the novel. This post contains some ideas before you begin reading as well as some resources that can help you dig deeper after you’ve read the book. While many of these items are specific to Theo of Golden, you could use this as a way to read deeper with other works of fiction.
Suggestions
As you Read
I had someone tell me that there are no wasted words in this novel. I didn’t understand that until I finished reading it for the first time. I missed a lot in that initial reading because I forgot who some of the characters were.
Make a List of Characters (or download my spreadsheets below)
As you encounter characters in the book, write down their names in the back of the book. I’m a huge nerd and after writing all of the characters in the back of the book, I made a character list spreadsheet that I printed out and placed in my book. The thing about complete character list is that they can easily contain spoilers. What I’ve done is to include links to both blank and filled in lists for you to download:
DOWNLOADS: Blank Character List (xls) • Filled In List (xls) • Both Lists (Apple Numbers)
Track the “Blues of Golden”
Immediately before the Prologue, there is a statement “From a brochure announcing an art exhibit at Zila Gallery.” I found it absolutely delightful to track each line from that statement and to write the page number where I found each item in the text. For example, two of the six are “Ellen’s wilted halo” and “Pill bottom of Bobbo.” You’ll find Ellen’s wilted halo on page 147. Now find the rest as you read!
Further Reading
Books / Poems Mentioned in Theo of Golden
Want to dig deeper into material referenced in the book or to the books that influenced Allen? Here are some good places to start:
The Scarlet Ibis by James Hurst (read here) - Ellen mentions this short story on page 255. I mistakenly read a book called Scarlet Ibis by Gill Lewis, thinking it was the book meant by Ellen (I confirmed with Allen that the reference is indeed to the James Hurst version). What’s interesting in Gill Lewis’ version is that the foster father in that book is named Theo and the mother has some similarities to Ellen.
Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury (mentioned by Ellen on page 252)
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (not mentioned by title, but referred to by Ellen on page 252)
Lines, Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey by William Wordsworth
Works by William Saroyan (where the term the Noble Invention originates - mentioned first on page 150):
Rescue the Perishing
Other stories about bicycles
the Bible - let’s just say that Allen Levi is fortunate that the copyright expired on the Bible. Scripture is woven throughout this novel in such a beautiful way and the more you know of it, the more you will enjoy Theo of Golden.
Wendell Berry & George MacDonald - Allen has been influenced by the writing of Berry and MacDonald. The two books I thought closest to Theo of Golden are Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry and Sir Gibbie by George MacDonald.
Further Listening
Music Mentioned in Theo of Golden
There are a wealth of songs mentioned in Theo of Golden, many of them cello pieces. I have created an Apple Playlist of the songs that you can access below. Here is a list of the songs:
Art of the Fugue by Bach (young 10-yr-old Theo hears a portion of this and it has him entranced)
Summertime (sung by Ella Fitzgerald)
Toccata Capricciosa, Opus 36 by Miklos Rozsa (pg 335)
Cello Suite No 1 in G Major by Bach (pg 336)
Sections of a Sonata by Eugene Ysaye (pg 337)
Formazioni by Attila Bozay (pg 337)
Requiebros by Gaspar Casado (pg 337)
Lasst Mich Allein by Dvořák (pg 339)
Carnival of the Animals; the Swan by Camille Saint-Saëns (pg 339)
You’ll also be happy to know that Allen has multiple albums under his name. Search in any of the major music players to explore his music. You’ll find some fun connections to Theo of Golden.
Podcast / Event Interviews
Learn more about Allen and Theo of Golden
Here are some podcasts and videos to learn more about Theo and Allen.
The Habit Podcast with Jonathan Rogers
Pillar & Ground Podcast - Connecting with Author & Musician Allen Levi
The Pivot with Andrew Osenga (this is one of my favorite interviews of Allen)
Here are two interviews I conducted with Allen live in Franklin, TN on September 6, 2025 (please note these interviews contain spoilers):
Additional Readings
Many people re-read this novel. I’ve heard of some people immediately starting at the beginning again after finishing the novel. If you plan to read it again - write out some questions you’d like to focus on in the next reading. Here are some things I looked for in my 3rd reading:
References to the Eye of God. I was looking to see if all references were of negative events.
Descriptions of Theo - I made a list of any description of Theo I came across.
I had others, but they would contain spoilers, so I’ll pass on mentioning them here.
International Sightings
One of the first things I do when I’m visiting bookshops overseas is to look for Theo of Golden. It’s started popping up a lot more lately. Here are some recent international sightings:
I, too, will be reading this gift multiple times. The very example of extreme thoughtfulness - exemplified by the character Theo - inspires more than 'intentions' or 'list-making' of things I should do...and significantly inspires me to DO. I so appreciate your template, literary and musical listings of the gems within Allen Levi's masterpiece - tools I can use as I re-read many of David McCullough's works, especially the posthumously published "History Matters". Thank you, Erik, for your contributions to my appreciation for exceptional thinkers, ageless wisdom, and both an author and his protagonist, each of whom exemplifies the art of living.