Elvira Burgo

Oprah’s words caught my attention. “The book started off self-published by a first-time author with no publicity or a marketing campaign to then topping the New York Times bestseller list.”

Curious, I did some research and eventually bought Theo of Golden.

The novel started strong, but it slowed at times and put me to sleep. Then I got to a scene that surprised me, and I wanted to keep reading. But the ending shocked me even more. I questioned Levi’s choice. “Why did he do that?” 

That’s what a good book does. It raises questions, makes you reflect, and delivers an unexpected twist. I can’t share specifics or the twist without spoiling the book, but I can say it's coming to the big screen. 

There’s no release date for the movie yet, as Warner Bros. is in negotiations. The film will do well not only because Tom Hanks reportedly plays the main character, Theo, but also because of the book’s message and relevant scenes. 

The following is a summary of the book.

Theo, a mysterious 86-year-old man, moves to a fictional town of Golden, Georgia. He stops at a coffee shop, notices 92 penciled self-portraits on the wall, and thinks they should be in the owner's hands. So, he buys each one and gives it to the owner. Through untold stories, they form a connection.

As a writer, stories need to be told, and they can change lives. In Theo of Golden, each gift-giving moment marked a positive change in the individual, and each word of mouth about the novel helped. After the book sold millions of copies, Levi later signed a book deal with Simon & Schuster. 

As a former attorney, judge, and singer-songwriter, Levi challenged himself to write a book. He told Oprah he cried a lot while writing and learned to love his characters, especially Theo, who reminded him of his deceased brother. Levi said his brother was his best friend and mentor, and that he could love many people. “For everything to be good, there must be love, and love is fruit of the spirit,” added Levi.

An avid reader, Levi believed reading shaped his writing style. Although he thinks he can improve his writing, Levi is now working on a sequel, Ellen of Golden, with a different plotline than Ellen in Theo of Golden. “She’s been a difficult character,” he said. 

As a first-time, self-published author, Alan Levi’s novel Theo of Golden has gained popularity and will soon be in theaters. With an unexpected twist and themes of love, generosity, and kindness, Levi’s writing and publishing journey inspires me.

Thanks for reading,

Elvira