My friend Michele received a copy of Theo of Golden for her birthday last month. She read it quickly, then loaned it to me when she went to Guatemala on her memoir writer’s retreat earlier this month. I’d never heard of the book, but when I looked it up, I was interested in putting it at the top of my reading list.
I have hundreds of books on my bookshelf, thousands and thousands more available through the public library, both physical and electronic items. Literally, virtually all words ever written are available to us in our own homes at any hour of the day or night. We live in incredible times, don’t we?
Out of the millions of books available to me, recently, I haven’t wanted to choose to read much of my usual fare. In the past I’ve enjoyed political thrillers and contemporary stories, history, biographies, a bit of fantasy (I’ve mentioned the Empyrean Series by Rebecca Yarros), and even historical novels. But there’s so much mayhem, violence, killing, and difficulties in a lot of those genres. It’s like reality TV, chaos and conflict sells. Harlequin romances (still published but you really have to look for them) have morphed into the movies on the Hallmark Channel. Most people aren’t very interested in Pollyanna stories about goodness and righteousness.
The summary of Theo of Golden included the words heartwarming, enigmatic, and quiet goodness…just what I was in the mood for.
After Michele delivered the book I started noticing people talking about it on-line. A friend of mine, on Facebook, posted some quotes and passages from the book asking what people thought of them. I didn’t yet know much but mentioned that I’d just begun reading Theo of Golden. I was careful not to read too much ABOUT the book before reading it for myself. I wanted to form my own opinions.
I hadn’t quite finished it when my friend Shari invited me to discuss the book with another woman the following week. Thankfully Randy had improved enough (more on that later) for me to feel comfortable leaving him alone when the designated day (the day before this post) arrived.
I hadn’t seen Shari for years. We met in church when we both lived at the Lake of the Ozarks 25 years or so ago. She moved away from the Lake about 15 years ago and is now settled in Ft Myers. We’ve been corresponding on social media but haven’t had the opportunity to get together until yesterday. She had also invited a woman she met through a women’s organization she founded (Rooted and Connected) but whom she didn’t know well. Turns out that woman and I have common acquaintances, my friend Carla and her husband Keith.
The 3 of us had a terrific couple of hours getting acquainted and discussing Theo of Golden. I will not detail what we thought of the book because I don’t want to influence you in any way about it. I will say this though. Thousands of people on social media claimed it was the best book they’ve ever read. I can’t instantly recall every book I’ve ever read so I’m reluctant to say that. But it is right up there near the top of the best books I’ve ever read. It was thought provoking, a bit unsettling in an introspective way, and left me feeling like I’d love to buy hundreds of copies and pass them out like candy. I did buy and bestow a copy to my friend, Carla. It will be delivered to her on the day this blog is published. I also returned Michele’s copy to her and bought one for myself so Randy can read it. I can’t wait to discuss it with him.
I’m over 600 words into this post about Theo of Golden and haven’t said much about it other than…read it. I doubt you’ll regret it. And you may feel compelled to become a better person because you read it. Now that I’ve finished, I can get to the business of satisfying my curiosity about the author Allen Levi, his motivation for writing this book, and how it all developed. Theo of Golden is his first novel, written when he was more than 60 years old (gives me hope there’s still time to make a difference through my writing!). And to discover how thousands and thousands and thousands of people who read Theo reacted to it. The backstory is fascinating. I plan to read Theo of Golden again.
Finishing this book last week was a good, calming endeavor as Randy’s physical condition began improving as the antibiotics took hold in his body that I feared was dying. His pain level is down to 3-4, much more manageable than the 8-9 he was experiencing last week.
Now his most pressing (no pun intended) physical problem is the large growth at the base of his neck and throat where they biopsied his lymph node on Feb 2. He had an ultrasound on it last week. They say it’s a hematoma and swollen lymph node, which often happens and resolves on its own but could take several months. The problem is that it’s pressing on his throat and windpipe making it more difficult every day to swallow and breathe. We’ve got a call in to the oncologist asking what can be done about that, but they have far more patients than time. We have to be our own persistent health advocates and keep calling to get their attention. So please, continue to pray for that specifically, that Randy’s body reabsorbs the blood and fluid around that area and stops pressing on the throat so he’s more physically comfortable. And that he can sleep better than he has been.
So many of you are actively supporting us as we go through this difficult time. You have reached out, listened to us, provided food and other helpful things, mowed the lawn, weeded around our house, kept Randy company so I could go to Girl’s Night Out without worrying about him being alone, prayed, and are continually checking on him. We love and appreciate you all. And we are humbled. Thank you.
P.S. Next week we’ll have the one year later post I mentioned a few weeks ago. What’s changed for you in the past year?
P.P.S. I am so, so glad we no longer live in Wisconsin. The snowfall over the weekend was insane. It seems like it could be July before it all melts! No, thank you.
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