Inside Theo of Golden: Allen Levi on the Cover, the Names, and the M.O.B.

How did Theo of Golden get its name? Why a feather on the cover? Who is the "M.O.B. Consortium" hidden in the credits? In this conversation between Allen Levi and Erik Rostad at the Franklin Theatre in Franklin, Tennessee, Allen walks through his novel page by page and tells the stories behind it. Along the way: the coffee shop portraits that sparked the book, the manuscript that nearly stayed in a drawer, the trip to Portugal to authenticate Theo's name, the real courtroom encounter behind one character, the writers who shaped him, and a closing reflection on what heaven might be like. CHAPTERS 0:00 Welcome 0:30 A reading, and David Brooks on kindness 3:40 Walking through the book, page by page 4:06 Where Theo came from: the coffee shop portraits 6:14 The manuscript in the drawer and the friends who read it 8:22 Why "Golden," and the meaning behind the names 10:52 Why "Theo," and the trip to Portugal 13:52 What Portugal added to the story 15:10 Research as an excuse to study cellos, port, and more 16:18 The dedication to Cubby Culbertson, and 100 book clubs 18:16 Who else he might have dedicated it to 19:44 The copyright page and the real man behind a character 23:11 Writing a parent's grief as a lifelong bachelor 25:14 The "Mob Consortium" and TTK explained 27:53 The surprise dinner and the portrait 31:22 From songwriting to long fiction 33:25 Why the feather on the cover 35:49 Could he have written this book at 20, 40, or 50? 37:18 The authors behind the book: Wendell Berry, C.S. Lewis, Mark Twain 39:31 Edinburgh, Scottish literature, and George MacDonald 41:05 The books he gives away most 42:30 Reading widely, memory, and "adorational attentiveness" 46:14 The book's thesis: little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness 51:14 What do you think heaven is like? ABOUT BOOKS OF TITANS Books of Titans is a lifelong reading project through the great books of the Western canon. Subscribe for weekly essays and podcast conversations.    / @booksoftitans   LINKS Books of Titans: https://booksoftitans.com Theo of Golden by Allen Levi: https://www.allenlevi.com Landmark Booksellers, Franklin, TN: https://landmarkbooksellers.com Subscribe and turn on notifications so you do not miss the next conversation. #TheoOfGolden #AllenLevi #BooksOfTitans