THEO OF GOLDEN BOOK CLUB - WEEK 8 - CHAPTERS 36 - 40

THEO OF GOLDEN by Allen Levi

This week's chapters caught me a bit by surprise. I found myself reacting internally with a "wow" response versus the ongoing one of sadness or wondering where a part was leading. Allen Levi is a master at keeping us coming back for more by letting us feel intense emotions, but constantly changing them up, so we don't drown in the depths of them.

CHAPTER 36 -

What did we learn about Theo in this chapter? A couple of points we've already considered continue to be verified. Theo is a master at friendships. He and Mr. Ponder have a very special one. More about that in a moment. He has won over Mrs. Gridley. She does still have some lingering questions, but she's been swept away in the magic of his quest. More about that in a moment! Despite all of this, Levi leaves this chapter dangling a bit with the statement about both of them being "unwitting apprentices." Is Theo's mission one of doom or blessing at the core? We don't know the answer to that yet!

Let's talk a minute about the friendship between Mr. Ponder and Theo. I get it. I really get it! Friends can come in a variety of ages that can be a real blessing, but I think we all appreciate having a friend that relates to us in age, intelligence, and interests. Would you agree? You can share your whole life with that person, because they really understand you. That's what we have between Theo and Mr. Ponder.

Mrs. Gidley - We have to say a few words about her! I knew she would be sneaking through the files looking for info on Theo! She doesn't find anything, and she knows that sometimes there were clients that were "off the books." Hmmmm, I'll bet that has you wondering as much as it does me! BUT she's bought into this whole purpose of Theo's, and it's changed both Mr. Ponder and Mrs. Gidley for the better. There's life and energy flowing through those offices now. There's joy! It isn't "business as usual' with clients in and clients out. I really loved how this quote sums up the change, " Theo's creative generosity was a welcome disruption to business as usual." How are you and I adding creative generosity in to disrupt the mundaneness of life for others?

CHAPTER 37

We learned in this chapter that Theo has a formidable temper when certain circumstances happen.

I've got to mention the genius of the names that Allen Levi chooses sometimes for his characters - in this case, Cleave Torber. As soon as I read his name, my brain immediately went to "cleaver," and that's kind of what popped out in this encounter!

The jealous boyfriend - the one who thinks he is acting out of protection for his girlfriend but is really acting out of a desire to control her. All I could hope as the scene unfolded was that Clarise was okay and not hiding away in a house, nursing bruises from the latest beating. We get an allusion to this possibility by the picture of Cleave stomping his boot print across the destroyed portrait leaving a mark "like a bruise." The erupting temper that doesn't listen to reasonable explanation, we've all seen it, and it's destructive.

Then, a new side of Theo emerges. One that rises up in fury. One that is a righteous anger based on the destruction of a purpose and property. However, it does leave us a bit shocked at how fast and how furious the hurricane of emotions blew in, and it leaves us wondering if this temper has shown up in any other times or places in Theo's life.

Derrick Prentiss, Minette's husband and an employee of the DA's office who recognizes Cleave, steps in. He's dealt with him before which tells us about Cleave's criminal record. He instructs him to move on. Then, he turns to Theo and warns him about the danger of people who won't understand or care about what he's trying to do. Foreshadowing? Time will tell.

CHAPTER 38

What do we learn about Theo in this chapter? We have a confirmation of his ongoing care for people, and we see how people experiencing his generosity now have a common ground to come together.

There's a cool interaction between Simone and Kendrick involving music. I really liked this chapter. Through the course of their discussion, they figure out that they have a common friend in Theo. I think it's going to be a lot of fun to watch different threads from the story cross and bring people together with Theo at the heart of those crossings.

CHAPTER 39

What do we learn about Theo in this chapter? He will not be thwarted from his goal or moved from where he is trying to work!

We never really learn anything about Lena in this chapter. Instead, we have a run-in with a very rude man who isn't paying attention to what is going on around him. How many times do we run into people like this? How many times do we behave like this man? Theo slides over next to him and begins humming to get his attention. I had to chuckle at this choice of intervention. But who is this rude man? He is none other than Minnette's dad/Asher's brother. Something tells me, we'll meet him again.

CHAPTER 40

This is the chapter that really got to me. Ellen's planned afternoon for Theo. What do we learn in this chapter? We learn the true depth of kindness that Theo has. How many of us would go on an excursion with a homeless, mentally-struggling woman? How many of us would share a peach without wondering where it came from or where it's been that she packed? I probably had a continuous smile on my face as I read and imagined their time together. The true beauty and joy that washes over us as Ellen shares all of her special spots with Theo is borderline baptizing in nature. The theme of birds comes back into the picture again as she shows him all of their nests hidden away with baby birds in them. The whole thing is Ellen's best gift, her best offering given in trust and gratitude to Theo. It is so incredible moving! Then, the featherwood! I think I laughed outloud at the hatbird. Ellen is still Ellen, and we love her for it!