Atria Books
Theo of Golden: A Novel
A novel about a stranger who hands out portraits in exchange for stories.
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Where it ranks in our guides
A medal marks a podium; the score on the right is the product’s score for that recipient.Scores by criterion
Our verdict
86 / 100The plot is itself about giving, which makes the book a natural thing to hand to someone. It is the kind of novel people pass along after finishing.
Frequently asked questions
What is the story about?
A stranger buys portraits of townspeople and gives them away, asking only for their stories.
Where is it set?
In the small Southern city of Golden.
Which publisher is it from?
Atria Books.
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How we score
The CTG score out of 100 is the weighted average of five criteria rated for every product: proven reliability (36%), perceived value (18%), bond and memory (18%), originality (14%) and novelty (14%). Each criterion has its own published scale, identical for every product: it rates generously, because every product in our selection is already good. The score does not depend on the guide. 60 to 69: average gift. 70 to 77: good pick. 78 to 85: safe bet. 86 to 89: favorite. 90 and above: the perfect gift, a label reserved for excellent products that customers like, one winner per occasion. In a guide, the score for the recipient combines this score with the place in the ranking. The budget is an indicative range: the exact price is shown by the store at checkout. Read our full selection method →