Theo of Golden

It’s a published phenomenon. An article in the New York Times last Christmas caught my attention. A 70 year old man who self-published his first book in late 2023 sold 3,000 copies by word of mouth. He asked his niece to help him spread the word about it through social media.

1st Book. No agent. No publicist. No publisher.

In 2024, against all odds he had sold 25,000 copies!

In 2025: one of the biggest publishing companies, Atria Books, (imprint of Simon & Schuster) got the rights and sales exploded. Over 1 MILLION.

What has captured the attention of so many readers? Was it the action and adventure? No. The main setting is a park bench! I downloaded the audible version and was delighted by the old man’s Portuguese accent and journeyed with Theo through the unfolding of a story full of mysteries. Along that journey, we see each character through Theo’s eyes. In a recent interview with OPRAH, Mr. Levi talks about his inspiration for the book and what he hoped to achieve. I’d say judging from the unprecedented sales of his book, he succeeded!

By June (2026), it became THE New York Times Bestseller! Last month (August) it became the highest selling print book in America:

3.5 Million copies have sold and translated into 43 languages. Numbers don’t lie. Levi’s message points to something the world craves.

Now are you curious?

Click on the image for his interesting interview with Oprah. Please tell me what you think of the book or the interview (or both) in the comments.

Allen Levi, author of Theo of Golden, talks with Oprah.