How Does "Theo of Golden" by Allen Levi End? All of the Twists and Spoilers!

How does "Theo of Golden" by Allen Levi end? Have you finished reading "The of Golden" and desperately need to discuss it? Or maybe you've read it, but can't remember how "Theo of Golden" ends, or do you want to skip ahead to discover all the spoilers? Need a refresher on "Theo of Golden" before heading off to book club tonight? Keep reading to discuss this fiction novel and all the twists and turns at the end!

 

 

Spoilers ahead!

 

How Did "Theo of Golden" by Allen Levi End?

What Are the Twists and Spoilers?

Simone performs a song for Theo

During his student recital, Simone performs an original piece, "Fado for Theo," written for Theo. This is a rewarding moment in "Theo of Golden" where we see Theo, who has given so much to his friends and community, receive recognition as well. Basil and Kendrick join Simone on stage for the performance as guitar and vocals.

"Simone turned his full attention to a beaming face with quivering lips. Theo was visibly touched, teary, and surprised. He knew now perhaps how recipients of his bestowals felt." ( page 340)

After the performance, Theo is called to the stage and presents Simone with a large portrait as a present. The portrait was drawn by Asher. Theo also reveals that Simone's parents are in attendance, a surprise as they could not have afforded to travel there without Theo's help. 

Theo goes to sleep thinking about what a wonderful day it was, perhaps the best of his life.

Ellen is attacked at the Fedder

Three drunk men returning home from the local bars see Ellen. They think she is drunk as well, but she is not, and they try to take her large hat from her. She is alarmed when the hat is taken and tries to snatch it back, and then, to make matters worse, they take her bike.

"She fought like one who had done so before, flailing with an energy and agility that were relentless and feline. She was a creature out of control." ( page 348)

Ellen attacks the man who stole her bike, and in return, he hits her hard across the face several times. The author makes it clear that these men were in the wrong and that the man's "self-defense" was disproportionate and driven by rage. Ellen is gravely injured from his actions. 

Simone witnesses the attack and approaches. Theo watches from his balcony. From Theo's perspective, we find out that the attackers are holding Simone down to hit him, injuring his hand, and destroying his cello and bow. Theo yells over the balcony for them to "stop", but the men are unmoved. 

Theo dies falling over the balcony

Theo is found on the ground outside his apartment. Theo fell because he leaned over too far while desperately trying to stop the assailants from his balcony. A tribute of flowers and cards is left where he passed away.

Mr. Ponder calls people around the town to let them know that Theo has died. 

Theo was a famous artist, known by the name 'Zila'  

Theo’s obituary appeared in newspapers and on social media. From these articles, we learn that Theo was known as “Zila” in the art world. He is described as a famous yet reclusive artist, which is difficult to reconcile with how outgoing and warm he was toward the community in Golden. Zila also had a renowned gallery in Chelsea, New York, featuring one of the most highly valued collections in the United States. He is described as a classical realist who achieved meteoric success and as a renowned collector of portrait art.

We also learn that Zila, Theo, was married and had a young daughter. Both his wife and daughter were killed in a car accident in 1987. While the public perception of him was reclusive and brooding, his publicist and long-time friend said that the week before his death he was "happier than at any time since his daughter died."

It is then revealed in the article that Theo, Zila's, last work of art was titled "The Blues of Golden" and would soon be on display.

More community members learn about Theo

Although Theo had a large impact on the Golden community that we met in the novel, most of the town did not know who he was until after his death. As the awareness grows, members of the press try to contact Ellen, who is still in the hospital recovering from her injuries. Tonu keeps her company in Theo's honor, and keeps the press away as well. 

Theo's body is flown to France and buried next to his daughter's. A memorial service is held at St. James in Golden with many people in attendance. Everyone who received a portrait came and sat in the front row. The scene is described in detail as beautiful and reverent. At the front is a portrait of Theo, drawn by Asher. 

"To those in the front rows, Asher's mastery as an artist and Theo's mastery as a man fully alive were movingly apparent." ( page 366)

After Father Lundy spoke, Professor Gobelli played "Fado for Theo" on the cello. Simone watches and listens. He is still injured and worries about his ability to ever return to playing the cello. Father Lundy continues afterwards, telling the story of Jesus appearing to two people after his death. It is linked here for your reference. Father Lundy draws a comparison to their loss of Theo, and the hope and warmth the town felt from him and can continue to after his death.

Mr. Ponder manages Theo's affairs

 "The front door of Ponder House, the same door at which Theo had stood a year or so earlier, became a well-visited site of dejection as Mrs. Gidley, in full sergeant-at-arms mode, denied entry, one by one, to the steady flow of inquirers." ( page 372)

While most are sent away, one guest, Olivia Reese, comes to Ponder House to visit with success. Initially told Mr. Ponder is busy, she refuses to leave until she sees him. Mrs. Gidley does not revel in the idea of sending her away, a change since Theo positively affected her. Olivia tells Mr. Ponder that she is trying to locate a woman in the area. Olivia hands Mr. Ponder a letter; upon finishing, he addresses her as Willa. Who is Willa? Willa is the name of Ellen's daughter who was taken from her and placed for adoption.

Asher is Theo's son

Mr. Ponder asks Asher to visit because Theo had left some items for Asher. Theo didn't know he was going to die, but he was also 87 and had items prepared. Mr. Ponder offers Asher the chance to go to Theo's old apartment to open the box left for him. At the apartment, Asher finds a portrait that Theo made of Asher. Asher notices in that he resembles Theo in the portrait.

Inside the box, Asher finds three letters. The first is a letter from Theo to Asher. In the letter, Theo reveals that he actually received a letter from Asher when Asher was a child. Asher wrote to Theo asking him about being an artist. Theo wanted to meet Asher, and that is why Theo was in Golden. 

Theo shares about a female student he met in Spain when he was teaching. While they were close, they grew apart as Theo became more famous for his art. The young woman returned home from Spain to Golden. Mr. Ponder was hired back then to investigate the woman because Theo was thinking about moving to be with her. Mr. Ponder told Theo that the woman was now married with a young son.

Theo had also recognized Minette, the first woman he gave a portrait, because she was the granddaughter of his lost love in Spain.

The other two letters are - the original letter Asher sent to Theo and the letter Asher's mother sent to Theo. In his mother's letter, she talks about her happy life with Asher in Golden. She asks gently that Theo stay out of their lives. His mother reveals that she knew she was pregnant with Theo's son, but her husband was willing to help her hide her secret. 

In the box, Asher also finds a necklace. Through the letters, he learns that the necklace was a gift Theo had given to his mother when they were together in Spain. Asher's mother had returned the necklace to Theo with her letter. Theo wanted Asher to have it. Asher also discovered underneath his own portrait from Theo, a second portrait that Theo had made of his mother when she was painting in Spain.

Epilogue of what happens to the characters after "Theo of Golden"

Disappointingly, we learn that the assailants were never caught and charged for assaulting Simone and Ellen. 

Asher is managing Theo/Zila's art empire, but little has changed, and he still prefers drawing portraits instead of being a businessman.

The Chalice is a successful coffee shop. Theo's portrait hangs there, next to Tony and Ellen's.

Latisha wants to be a physical therapist and artist. Theo left money to pay for Latisha's education. Latisha is also still friends with Maria, the daughter of the "little man" who accidentally caused the death of Latisha's mother. 

Simone's hand miraculously healed. Simone has moved to Massachusetts, where he works as a musician. Through crowdfunding, the city of Golden was able to gather enough funds to purchase Simone a new cello.

Minette has a son whom she named Theo.

Katherine Lesker, the local reporter, collected stories about Theo from people he gave portraits to at the Fedder. Katherine published them as a book titled "The Bestowals of Theo".

Ellen still regularly rides her bike, The Noble Invention. After the attack, Ellen was convinced to seek medical care and move into a shelter so that she could pursue her featherwood ventures. Her business is now thriving, and despite protest from her friends, she donated all of the money she saved, $1600, to Simone's cello fund. 

Asher gave his daughter the necklace that Theo left for him. 

Tony occasionally attends Mass with Ellen, and his bookstore is still always on the verge of closing. Tony also had a bench next to the Fedder fountain dedicated to Theo.

What else were you surprised by reading "Theo of Golden" by Allen Levi? Did you see the ending coming for each character? Did "Theo of Golden" end how you had hoped? Comment down below and let me know!