We Read THEO OF GOLDEN by Allen Levi

Hi DeadlinersWe hope you enjoy this latest edition of Reading Between Deadlines. Honestly it might be our FAVOURITE episode yet. It’s a cracker, even if we DO say so ourselves.This episode’s pick: THEO OF GOLDEN by Allen Levi is a book that was self-published and then picked up by a major publisher after it basically went viral. It’s about an old dude who turns up mysteriously in the fiction town of Golden, then starts buying up portraits for half the town.We hope you enjoy our deep dive into this hyped book.Happy Listening and Love lots,Rach and AntheaPS. If you want to watch rather than listen, scroll down.In this episode, we cover:Why authors love the question “what if?”Word length and editingPlot vs characterReligion in fictionAnd we rewrite the ending.💋 And, of course, we rate it: Kiss, Kill, or Marry⏰ Timestamps000 – Intro – Rachael is a newsreader now.. and she’s been robbed..2.24 – Rachael introduces Theo of Golden and reads the blurb. Anthea is already bored.4.35 – Why we read Theo – International hype is REAL5.50 Alan – 70 year old song writer who’s not Willie Nelson6.42 – Should you write about stuff you see in a coffee shop? We’re about to find out..7.19 – The bio you have when you don’t have a bio (is Alan a bit rock’n’ roll?)9.40 – Rach goes Insta Detectives on Theo of Golden with interesting facts.. Anthea checks her watch..12.16 Anthea is all about the rules.. Kiss, Kill, Marry…13.38 – Shiz gets REEL. Anthea and Rach give their verdict.15.21 – Rachael has gone completely crackers. Anthea tries to understand16.58 – Nope, it’s no good – Rachael is crazily trying to justify her rating. Anthea is having a minor breakdown.17.25 – A dead Theo wins Rach’s heart. Anthea passes out.18.02 – Info dumping – Rachael’s new favourite. Anthea casts about for a new bestie…19.02 - Rachael relishes Theo’s dumb AND boring secret baby trope. Anthea astral travels out of her office, to somewhere nice without any Theos.20.12 – Anthea puts on her SURPRISED face on, and refuses to remove it.21.25 – Rach decides she wouldn’t have finished it if she didn’t have to. Anthea wonders if she UNDERSTANDS THE RATINGS SYSTEM??!!!21.45 – Rach admits she was PLODDING along with Theo. PUCKER UP BABY! (STILL a kiss?????????????)22.18 – Anthea feels the phrase ‘this is boring’ is underused. (Not by her, obviously.)22.38 – Dramatic death letter. It’s never too soon. (and stay away from windows.)23.24 – Anthea expresses her disappointment in Rachael’s rating. Again. Seriously. We get it! (also Anthea goes global and kills it for her friend in Colorado)26.07 – Anthea gently rants about the many, many, many problems with this novel. (Put the pen down, Grandad.)27.05 – To the Theo of Golden Community. Well played. Well played, indeed.28.18 – Rachael admits Theo WAS LONG AND BORING. Anthea rests her case. (mentally, you won’t hear that bit.)28.37 – Ellen (the most exciting character Anthea barely remembers) is getting her own novel. Kill me now.29.02 – No ticking clock on Theo’s death (it still wouldn’t have saved this novel, but it would have been nice to see him make the attempt)29.19 – Christian messages. Too much? (Amen!)32.30 – Tension please!! Pleeaase! Anthea and Rach agree Theo is boring. High 5!33.20 – Sorry, but this book needed a good edit34.50 - Old men and books. AB Facey. Owed Anthea’s great granddad money. Scandal!37.14 - The cover - Anthea approves! Rachael approves! (it’s boring)39.05 - Anthea threatens to sack Rachael. Realises Rach is the boss!! Settles to sentencing her to reading the sequel, about the boring Ellen.41.32 – Rachael threatens Anthea with a Theo of Golden keepsake. Anthea feels physically ill..42.29 – Readers Retreat! (Theo free zone!)43.30 – We’re reading The Eyre Affair, Yesteryear and a bunch of other books which are possibly more exciting than Theo. (Sorry, Theo.) (Anthea is swiping LEFT) (But you still have a chance with Rach!)45.00 BYE! (please don’t go around buying portraits and handing them out to people – it’s way less charming and life changing than you think.)Coming up next: 👉Next Ep we’re chatting to Kate Solly about The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde.📅 In July, we’re diving into possibly the MOST HYPED book of the year - Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke and we’re chatting to Tamara Moss about Daddy Long Legs by Jean Webster This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit readingbetweendeadlines.substack.com/subscribe