THEO OF GOLDEN BOOK CLUB - WEEK 2 - CHAPTERS 6-10

THEO OF GOLDEN by Allen Levi

Okay, before I dive into the chapters for today, I'm going to throw out a couple of questions we need to be asking ourselves each time we start a chapter. The first is one I already mentioned in last week's post, but it's clearly going to continue throughout this book, and that is, "What did we learn about Theo in this chapter?" I've already mentioned the layering affect we were initially seeing to Theo's character in the first five chapters. It hasn't quit. The second question takes the first question into consideration and expands on it. "Who is Theo?" Honestly, I was not expecting a feeling of mystery to creep into this book, but I am feeling it. More about that later.

I also have to note that I love the omniscient point of view that we get in this story. Omniscient point of view means that the writer allows us to see the thoughts and feelings of multiple characters instead of "limiting" us to one main one. That is key in this story as we encounter many deep, emotional responses to what Theo is doing.

Chapter 6

Start off by asking yourself what you learned about Theo?

This chapter we learn about him through the eyes of Minette. He's tan as if he's spent a lot of time outside, he's a "young-old," and he's old-school but not in an offensive way.

What did you notice as you read the chapter?

I loved the realness of Theo's nervousness in getting ready to meet Minette. I appreciated the diligence of how Derrick and Minnette scan the area around the fountain for Theo in an attempt to ascertain if he is dangerous or not. (I think we all can picture ourselves doing the same thing!)

What impacted you the most? What gave you the greatest emotional response in the chapter?

Mine was two-fold. The first is that Theo "takes delight" in the presence of Minnette. Don't we all desire that response from someone in our life: to be solely seen in a busy place? The feeling you get when locking eyes with your husband across a crowded room knowing he only has eyes for you or meeting a friend for tea in a bustling coffee shop and seeing them smile as you approach. Seen. Valued. Appreciated. Theo exudes that wherever he goes. The second part that gave me an "ah moment" was the description of the setting around the fountain at the end of the chapter. It's as if we step into a fairy tale. What happens is not typical. There's a "silver mist" and "fairy dust" effect that happens, and we can visualize it.

CHAPTER 7

What do we learn about Theo in this chapter?

He may have family in the area, He loved a girl in Spain once that had eyes similar to Minnette's. Even though he appears to be very "put together," he lacks a bit of confidence in what he is doing. He chooses Minnette, because she has a "kind and gentle look." One that, hopefully, will offer forgiveness if all of this is a mistake.

Man, there is so much to consider in this chapter. First, note the correct evaluation that Theo makes of Minnette based on the portrait and how that lines up with who she reminds him of. This is going to be a bad comparison on my part, but I can't help feeling a bit of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple in this. One of Miss Marple's greatest gifts in her deductions is that the people she encounters remind her of someone from her home in St. Mary Meade. It gives her a bit of insight on their character. Run with that how you want, but it's just something that sticks out to me.

We learn the painful truth of Minnette's sadness. She has a father who wants her to go far in a business field. He is a force behind her, pushing her. What's so sad is that even in her adult life she is still trying to meet her father's impossible expectations. Now, one could play devil's advocate and say maybe it's his attempt at fatherly love for her recognizing what she's capable of. Maybe. I tend to feel it's probably rooted in pride within himself, because he fails to see his own daughter - what she's been created to do and what she truly loves in life. In Minnette's case, she wants to be a mother. Let's add another complicated layer to this relationship. Minnette gets pregnant in college by Derrick. Whose plans ultimately were derailed by this unexpected pregnancy? Her father's. She ends up having an abortion to please him, and the sadness compounds in her eyes. Notice the difference between Theo, Derrick, and Minnette's father. We already talked about her father's character. With Theo, MInnette tells him he's been more of a father figure to her in 30 minutes than her father has been her whole life. With Derrick, he sits across the fountain from Theo and Minnette and observes their time together, giving them space as he sees the unusual response this meeting is having on his wife.

As Theo presents the portrait to Minnette, he speaks a blessing over her reminding her of who she is and what she is capable of. When the portrait is taken home, it is hung in a place where Minnette sees it everyday and reminds herself of the truths spoken to her.

-How ironic that Minnette's father is the artist's brother.

-We know that at some point Minnette and Derrick have children, because they are the only ones they share the story of meeting Theo with.

CHAPTER 8

This chapter tells us the two factors that Theo uses for choosing the order of the portraits. Note that it's impossible to make a mistake in how he decides to proceed. so here's my question for you. Imagine you have all these portraits in front of you to deliver. Picture different faces from the town that you live in: people from the grocery store that you see weekly in passing, church members that you notice in surrounding pews that you really don't know, you get the drift. What would be your factors for how you would give the portraits out? Would it be based on emotions in eyes, scars evident, wrinkles, youth, etc?

CHAPTER 9

What do we notice about Theo in this chapter?

I'm going to skip right to the big point at the end of the chapter in answering this question. His plan is working perfectly. What plan is working perfectly? Clearly there is something more going on besides the portraits.

Theo is masterful in how he approaches people and puts them at ease. Have you ever see someone like this in motion? I have, and it's amazing! Theo comes to the bookshop looking for a specific type of book - one about the history of Golden. When the bookshop owner, Tony, scoffs a bit at this, Theo humbles himself and puts himself under the recommendation of Tony with the possibility of a discussion about the chosen book. Again, Theo values people by showing their opinion matters to him. He is rewarded for his effort. Tony might be a bit of a brusque guy, but his heart is in the right place. Look at his interaction with Simone and the Penny Loafers. The Penny Loafers hang out at the store without spending money, and Tony is okay with it He gives them a place to congregate. What is Theo's reward from Tony? The building of a friendship and information about Ponder House.

CHAPTER 10

What did we learn about Theo in this chapter?

We learned that Theo's story is powerful enough to open doors that appear to be locked shut.

This chapter had me feeling like I stepped into a John Grisham book with the description of the office and apartment which raised my antenna just a bit. (Maybe I just read too many mysteries!)

Notice, again, how Theo is able to control the situation through a humble attitude. Mr. Ponder is not taking clients, and he doesn't rent the apartment upstairs out. What happens by the end of the chapter? Mr. Ponder has taken on a new client and has rented the apartment out! Rabbit Trail for a moment: how fitting is Mr. Ponder's name? It's perfect! I'm pondering what's going on with Mr. Ponder!

Both Theo and Mr. Ponder size each other up. Theo imparts some information to Mr. Ponder that we are not privy to. I didn't like that . I want to know what was said. I am channeling my Rachel Lynde busy-bodiness over this! Clearly, whatever was shared was enough of a "wowzer" to change Mr. Ponder's mind. BUT, the secretary isn't fooled. She doesn't like what's going on one bit. Again, this feeling of mystery inserts itself strongly.

I hope you are as hooked as I am with this book! I am very curious to see how this one continues to build! I'd love to hear your thoughts and comment! See you next week!