The Last Sweet Mile

by Allen Levi

When Allen Levi’s brother Gary was diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer, neither realized they were about to embark on the best year of their lives. More than mere brothers, Allen and Gary were best friends, life-long bachelors, one a lawyer turned singer-songwriter, the other a globe-trotting missions worker. Their relationship was one of rare and powerful beauty, and in this rich memoir, Levi captures the small yet telling details of a life lived to the fullest—right up to the finish line.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Biography, Faith, Biography Memoir, Autobiography

203 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 18, 2018

Reviews

[Dan Agman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up because I loved Theo of Golden and wanted more Allen Levi. There’s no question the man can write. His sentences are clean, observant, and often beautiful. He notices the small things that most writers miss, and that gift is evident in The Last Sweet Mile.

I understand the purpose of the book. It feels like an act of devotion and grief, a way of honoring and processing the loss of his brother. But somewhere along the way, the memoir became almost exclusively a theological conversation. Nearly every scene, challenge, or passing thought circles back to Jesus. Faith isn’t the issue. It’s the saturation. After a while, it felt less like a story about a complex human being and more like a sermon with anecdotes.

Ironically, in trying to elevate his brother, Levi sometimes made him harder to warm to. Gary comes across as unwavering in belief, but also rigid, interruptive, dismissive of views that weren’t his own, and, oddly memorably, not big on handwashing. The portrait is honest, but honesty doesn’t always translate to admiration. I kept reading on, hoping for more substance, but I left quite disappointed.



Three stars. Worth reading for the writing, especially if you're devout and loved Theo. Just know what you’re getting into.

[Chrystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm sitting here with tears running down my face as I've just closed the book. I don't know how to put into words how this book has left its mark on me. It is filled with such hope in the midst of great grief. Quoting from the end of the book, you are Left "empty but full" in your grief. One of the biggest lessons for me personally in this beautiful story of friendship, loss, and a life well lived is: Our sadness has purpose, listen to it and led it lead you to the one who loves you more than you could ever imagine. I highly recommend it. Thank you Allen Levi for loving your brother so well and for knowing that this story needed to be told.

[Allen Allnoch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Often humorous, often heartbreaking, yet full of hope throughout, this beautifully written memoir is one of the most poignant and moving stories you'll ever read. Allen Levi is a rare breed: An intellectual who doesn't act like one. Rather, he's a humble and down-to-earth soul who is deeply committed to his family, friends and community, and who has quietly touched more lives for good than most of us will ever even think about. In short, as we say in the South, Allen is "good people." Likewise was his brother, Gary, the primary subject of this book. The world needs more men like the Levi brothers.

[Ian Hassevoort · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Allen Levi. Read Theo of Golden a few months ago and loved it so I read this one too. This is a beautiful book. Suffering and tragedy transformed a way to commemorate and celebrate a life well lived and a God well pleased. Reading about Gary’s life has inspired me to love God better and seek after him more. Everyone should read this book.

[Justin Hollabaugh]

I didn’t feel right assigning a star rating to The Last Sweet Mile. It’s such a deeply personal story that numbers seem irrelevant.

Written by Allen Levi, the same author who gave us Theo of Golden, this book tells the story of his brother, Gary Levi, and the days leading up to his death from brain cancer. At times, it felt like I was reading something meant primarily for family and close friends, yet as an outsider I was still invited in.

Gary loved Jesus more than anything. His life was centered on pursuing his Lord, and that devotion shaped the way he lived, loved, and faced suffering.

More than anything, I’m grateful I read this book because it let me witness such a tender, faithful relationship between two brothers. It left me hoping that my own two boys will grow up loving each other with the same loyalty, warmth, and grace that Allen and Gary shared.

[Hannah Bruxvoort · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book blessed me.

[Laura Ellison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I met the author’s parents last year when I was home for Labor Day. I heard they were about to celebrate their 65th anniversary and I congratulated them and asked what their best and worst years were. Mrs. Levi said, “I’ll have to think about the best year, but the worst year was definitely the one in which we lost Gary. It was so difficult.” After a few moments silence she continued, “Actually, that was our best year, too. The way our family came together to love him and how close we all became, it was both the best and the worst.” It reminded me of the film “Beautiful Collateral” which I had seen a few months before. In this world, there will be ashes, it’s about finding the beauty in those ashes that make it worth living.

This book is the obituary of a man who lived more intentionally than anybody I’ve ever met. It’s told by a brother who loved him well. There are some sad parts, there are many funny parts, but overall, you will come away being blessed by a deeper knowledge of Gary, Allen, and Jesus. The way these two brothers love each other and others will make you wish you loved everyone in your life as deeply and intentionally as they do. It was a joy and a pleasure to see Christ’s love and servant attitude demonstrated throughout the pages of this book.

[Ellie Firman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, this is a book about Gary Levi’s life, but ultimately it’s a book that points to the One who gives us life. What a beautiful picture of how joy and sorrow can exist together, and that’s only made possible because of Jesus.

“Increasingly, I am convinced that the Kingdom of God moves forward most enduringly when ordinary people do small things kindly and well over a long period of time.”

“But I hope- and I know Gary would concur- that you’ll have the wisdom to listen to your sadness. Accept it for what it says and follow it to the One who can explain it, heal it, and redeem it.”

“He reminded me often to set my heart on things above.”

[Maggie Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t think I can accurately describe the impact this book has left on me. I think I ended up highlighting the entire thing, but I’ll share a few of my favorites below. This book captured everything I love and believe in. Not only do I get to love the gift of hospitality, but we’re actually called to be hospitable. It reminded me of the incredible gift and joy of siblings — a bond truly like no other. Most of all, this book points to the goodness and sovereignty of Christ. I want to love others & love the Lord like Gary did - like Allen does.

“A dinner table is a good place to put the gifts of God on display: the living word (conversation), the bread of life (a well-prepared meal), the rose of Sharon”

“so a sunrise was simply beautiful. A beehive was simply fascinating. An old friend was simply wonderful. God good. Christ enough.”

“what is friendship, rightly lived, but the unheroic call to a thousand small conversations, countless prayers, and a myriad of encouraging words from one person to another over a lifetime? What is it but the bearing of burdens, the sharing of gifts, the asking of uncomfortable questions, and the possible discomfort of necessary confrontation?”

“You cannot love Christ too much. You cannot serve Him too fervently. You cannot enjoy Him too deeply. You cannot know Him too well.”

[Santiago Frank · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to go live with this man on his farm for two weeks and learn from him. A sad yet beautiful story.

[Caroline Lambert · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading Levi’s writing and beautiful story-telling in Theo of Golden, I wanted more of his stories. This one is heart-breakingly personal, sharing his last sweet mile with his brother, Gary. Most notably, Gary loved the Lord and loved those around him, and his brother recounts many stories showing those things. Lots of wisdom about friendship, grief, laughter, and appreciating “the choreography of coincidence” tied up in a wonderful little book.

“But maybe the way we best do all those things is by accepting at the outset that our call is to be servants, not heroes; to be storytellers and not necessarily story subjects; and to decrease so that Christ might increase.”

[Anna Goodwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I did not save the world today, Or change the course of history, I walked the small and quite way, The life that God has given me.” - song Allen Levi wrote about his brother Gary.

I loved this book. Honest look on death and dying but full of hope of what is to come. The gospel is soaked in the words and actions of Levi family during Gary’s last year of life together.

[Amy Toney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a beautifully written memoir about 2 brothers spending their last year together when one was diagnosed with a brain tumor. I was expecting it to be sad, but it was inspiring. The way the Levi brothers loved, served & lived their lives for Christ was encouraging & hopeful.

[Christy Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

By the author of Theo of Golden. I loved getting a glimpse of this author's life with his dear brother. So sweet and inspiring.

[Ginnie Holcomb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so sweet - the memories Allen has of his brother Gary are descriptive, thoughtful, and tender. His brother was portrayed in such an honorable and loving way. I wish I had known Gary and have come away with many tidbits of wisdom, encouragement, and inspiration! I highly recommend this book!!
The author, Allen Levi, wrote one of my most favorite books “Theo of Golden” and Gary is who he based the character Theo off of.
Both Allen and Gary never married, this book has given me a new perspective on how to steward and view my singleness as a Christian.
The last chapters had me in tears- you must read!

[Daniel · Rating 1 out of 5]

Going into this I was EXCITED as I had just read his other book Theo of Golden which I absolutely loved with all my heart. This was an ode to his brother who died of brain cancer similar to my own dealings with my brother. He explains how his brothers Christian faith shaped his life as a person and missionary and he even added multiple times that he wasn’t trying to impress his brothers religion onto anyone. I made it to 65% putting up with the constant biblical scripture recitations and then he full blown makes it know it’s his religion as well and just starts preaching. I was sooooo saddened and upset that it literally became proselytizing and I got the IMMEDIATE ICK!!! I felt literally duped! It went from a loving tribute to his brother to a full blown Christian sermon which I’m not here for!

[Jennifer S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a tender testimony of the bond between two brothers, namely how one cared for the other during his final days. The perspective the author's brother had on life was humbling and encouraging, a living witness of meekness in God's kingdom.

". . . . a life well-lived meant doing small things well over a long period of time. He was heroically unheroic, at peace with his obscure place in a very big picture. This does not mean he didn’t want to be impactful. He did, and precisely because he took his small role seriously, he was.
. . . . the unheroic life of secret generosity and radiant goodness."

[Andrew Cowart · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book about a man named Gary. It is, of course, also a book about death. Allen Levi walks us into that shadowy valley with an oxymoronic combination of seriousness that knows the weight of death well and hope that seems to be unimpressed with its limitations.
This book is orients us towards the Kingdom, both on earth and in heaven.
“The best is yet to come”.
Maranatha.

[Stella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Better the second time :)

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Precious. Encouraging. Inspiring.

[Brittany Worthington · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot critique a life well-lived in Christ. I can, however, share what stood out to me, made me think, broke my heart, or deemed never-ending truth. Gary Levi was the kindest, Christ-centered man and I’m sad I will never know him, even though I feel like I do. What a privilege to read about his life and know we will be united in Christ one day.

“The death of my brother was far more hurtful, and far more final, and far more beautiful, than I could ever have imagined.”
“It can do us no harm, and may possibly do us good, whether we are Christian or not, to sit at the feet of the one who lived and died the unimaginable affection of so many.”
“In everything he did, and everywhere he looked, and in everything endeavor he undertook, he saw the Kingdom of God.”
“Every day there is something to remind me I am small. Cancer, I would learn, is one of those things.”
“We never gave up that hope. But we did surrender. Not to the disease, but to God. We would trust Him.”
“… he wants to live life in such a way that people can see, through him, what God is like.”
“Sometime the real help is to listen to someone…”
“One does not learn of Christ or read the Bible for information, but for transformation.”
“What sort of glorious God must He be who could make and oversee such a universe?”
“… a man well-loved because of a life well-lived.”
“Jesus came to set us free, after all…”
“… you’ll have the wisdom to listen to your sadness. Accept it for what it says and follow it to the One who can explain it, heal it, redeem it…”
“Every encounter was a chance to show the love of God to others.”
“The God revealed in Scripture is a God of grand things…”
“Gary’s hope that deeds done in the spirit of Christ and with the love of Christ might crack a heart open and draw someone toward the sweetness of the gospel.”
“Death is an awful, hideous thing. But thankfully, it is a defeated thing that betrays itself every time it tries to take a child of God.”
“… death is not a wall but a door, not a conclusion but a graduation.”
“… quietly persistent commitment to the comprehensive work of knowing Christ and making Him known.”
“… our call is to be servants, not heroes; to be storytellers and not necessarily story subjects; and to decease so that Christ might increase.”
“He knew your faults, as he did mine, but considered them a small thing next to the goodness, the kindness, the generosity, and the graciousness that have made and still take you such a clear reflection of his Lord Jesus.”
“You cannot love Christ too much. You cannot serve Him too fervently. You cannot enjoy Him too deeply. You cannot know Him too well.”
‘Loves,’ rather than ‘loved,’ because if the Gospel is true, he is more alive and his love for us is deeper and sweeter and more real today than it has ever been before.”

[Rosie Carroll · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most hope filled books I've ever read. I fear I've highlighted the whole book. Phenomenal, moving, beautiful. This one left a mark. I promise you'll be enriched by reading it.

" I tell people, to their obvious surprise, that the year you and I shared with cancer was the best year of my life. Difficult and hurtful, yes. But by any measure that really matters—depth of purpose, intensity of focus, freedom from triviality, honesty of affection, genuineness of love and joy and peace, reliance on and trust in God—it was “The Year” for me. To be with my favorite person every day, to relive so much shared history, and to be free from the petty cares that so often clutter my life added up to something for which I can find no words. I wish, of course, that I’d never experienced it, especially knowing how difficult it was for you, but I’m grateful."

"And so a sunrise was simply beautiful. A beehive was simply fascinating. An old friend was simply wonderful. God good. Christ enough. And all that he saw, everything he read, every mystery that presented itself to him, and every human achievement or failure that he observed pushed Gary Christ-ward somehow."

[Diane Rusert · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book because Allen Levi’s book Theo of Golden was one of the best books I have ever read. I was really disappointed in this book. We know from Theo of Golden that Levi is a Master at providing details needed to understand his characters and the reasons they were the way they were. He skimps on information that would have helped us understand him, his brother and family. He states early on in book that maybe it should be kept to family and close friends and it is obvious that he and his brother had deep affection and love for them. If writing the book as a thank you, it should have been kept at that. If the book was written to bring people to God through Christianity, it should have stated that too. I think the antidotes about the things done for others, especially the one about taking the school student to a Nascar race, were more reflective of dedication to God than the incessant Bible references. Although Levi admits that being life long childless, un partnered men, allowed them to travel and work minimally, he should have fessed up to having quite a bit of privilege. Both of them living on the huge family “farm”. Having no televisions or not. I guess all in all I didn’t buy into it.

[Mei Piao · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading is more of a discipline for me than an enjoyment. I read to refine my thinking more than for pleasure. This book offered me a better reason to read. Now I want to read to be changed, to be inspired, and to be transformed.

This book is Allen Levi's memoir of his brother Gary's life, a man who lived faithfully, single-mindedly for the Kingdom of God in his ordinary life! I cried through the book, not only because of sadness, but more because of the beauty, joy, and hope I see in the midst of sadness! I am convinced that the most beautiful, joyful, and hope-giving thing is also the most sorrowful thing; the cross is the proof of that!

My favorite quote from the book:
“Increasingly, I am convinced that the Kingdom of God moves forward most enduringly when ordinary people do small things kindly and well over a long period of time”

[Candy Asmus · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not for sure where to begin other than that this book will stick with me for a while. I decided to read more from the author after reading Theo of Golden. I’m pretty sure Theo was based off of his kind & loving, Spirit filled brother Gary. That’s who this book is about, his brother Gary Levi. He was many things to many people. He lived well, loved well, and will be remembered by those whose lives he touched. He has surely touched mine. This book walks through Gary’s life, their shared brotherhood, funny stories, & again how a life can & should be well lived. I will reread this book again and soon. I feel so encouraged to go out & love others with kindness & have eternity on my mind. Perhaps today….

[Chase Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good one. I’m a huge fan of hearing and learning about good people as not many exist these days (just my half glass full perspective). It brought me happiness to see all the love that was given to others and received. Such an impactful story that allowed me to connect and reflect. I underlined or starred lessons that I plan to reference down the road. Great reminder that we should continually grow as good people.

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading Theo of Golden, I purchased The Last Sweet Mile. Oh, my goodness, these two books have been my undoing. They have changed my life. Even though, one is fiction and the other is non-fiction, they both cover the beautiful paradox of grief and joy. Levi has helped me understand that both are necessary for growth and wisdom and a life well-lived.

[Eva Marie Everson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I lost my brother to cancer 7 years ago--perhaps it was yesterday. Seems like it happened to someone else and yet the pain is as real as if I were experiencing it right now.

A friend sent this book to me and I'll be forever grateful. As the author talks about Gary, I remembered Van. I laughed and I cried with the author and for myself. There is a brother-shaped hole inside of me that will never be filled . . . and after reading this book I believe that's okay. Why should it ever be filled?

And, like Allen, I know I'll see my brother again one day. It's one of those things that keeps me upright and faithful.

[Reagan Mcneil · Rating 5 out of 5]

By the author of Theo of Golden - I LOVED this book. I will read it again. And maybe again after that.

[Abbie Lockie]

3.5!