THEO OF GOLDEN BOOK CLUB -WEEK 5 - CHAPTERS 21 - 25

Sarah

Aug 6

4 min read

THEO OF GOLDEN by Allen Levi

Wow, these chapters are definitely taking us to a deep level emotionally, aren't they? I am reeling a bit, but I can't wait to find out what comes from it all.

CHAPTER 21 and 22 -

What did we learn about Theo in these chapters? We learn there is more here than meets the eye with Theo's desire to spend time with Asher.

My mind is running a mental checklist of possibilities of what's going on here with one standing out from the rest as to what's really going on. I'm sure you have a suspicion as well. Seriously, there are so many clues dropped but no complete explanation.

-The combination of flowers for Asher that Theo brings that just happen to be his mother's favorite. This is not your normal combination! Echinacea (coneflowers) and narcissus? These two don't grow in the same season! No one would naturally put them together!

-The scandal of Asher's mother giving birth only a few months after she married his dad.

-The "bizarre" things Asher's mother says towards the end of her life while dealing with Alzheimer's disease. I sure would like to know what those were!

-The statement that Theo listens to Asher's story about his amazing mother without a "twitch." A twitch? Why would he feel the possibility of one unless emotions are running high?

-The fact that while Asher takes the phone call, Levi tells us that Theo begins viewing Asher's WORLD not his ARTWORK. Why is he so interested in his "world?"

-The mysterious painting - "Me, Painting you, Painting."

-When Theo leaves, they each put their hand on each other's upper arm, a sort of first step into an embrace and something deep passes between them. Theo walks away blinking hard (tears). Levi tells us there is much to "ponder, cherish, and lament." What an odd combination of words for a "first visit" with someone. There is something so much deeper here.

There are so many parts to talk about in these two chapters. I'm going to hit on one more before moving on, the love of a mother. This precious mother is etched all over her son's story. Every where he turns, there is a memory where she lifted him up, encouraged him, loved him. I almost get the feeling of a mother pulling double duty even though 'dad' was in the picture. No more comments from me on this for now, but I'm sure there will be a lot more to come on this story.

Chapter 23

Why does Theo never give his last name? Clearly, it must be it would be recognized even though his face must not be. He has established his credibility in the eyes of the community by staying in Mr. Ponder's apartment. I've been thinking on that quite a bit - how it plays out in my own life. Isn't it interesting if a friend of mine knows someone, or is a part of a certain organization, or holds a particular office, etc the guard drops a bit when meeting them? And then, I just love the little cliff hangers, the hooks that Levi drops at the end of chapters that just won't let us go. In this case, Theo appears to be aa "average, law-abiding citizen" - or so the people of Golden think.

CHAPTER 24 - 25

Ellen. My heart hurts with this meeting. Before we get into that, though, we've got to talk about a couple of other things.

Theo picks up his speed meeting with people. To only do one portrait meet up a week would take him longer than a year. Time continues to be a big theme in this book. He starts meeting people with their portrait 2-3 times a week.

Mrs. Gidley's work has just increased, but she refuses to have additional help. Is Theo's mission winning her over, or is she trying to gather as much info on him as possible?

Ellen. Oh my! What a juxtaposition she is. Clearly, she struggles with an intense mental disorder that affects her life greatly. It may even be the key reason she is homeless. But Levi doesn't leave her defined by that. He shows us her brilliant side that encompasses logic and deep thought alongside the moments of outburst and irrational behavior. She's so much more than what her surface suggests. She is a woman in pain that celebrates her hardest and happiest moments of her life on the same day. Could you believe what we found out about her? Levi is so brilliant in his storytelling. In the midst of our outrage and struggle to know what to do with her situation, he gives us the policeman and the nurse who understand a mother's need. Oh how we hurt for Ellen, but how thankful we are that two people saw her as a human being and not an animal. And blonde, we understand it, don't we? I was thinking when she stated that was her favorite color, who chooses blonde? A mother who hasn't seen her daughter in years. Ellen was wrong about one thing. Theo does understand, doesn't he. I'm wondering what he'll do about this.

Can't wait to hear your thoughts on this week's reading!