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atozbookie's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
asher_the_aurumchitect's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
alisonhp's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
I think I should have enjoyed this book as a person of faith who studied Romantic Literature in Oxford, but instead the storytelling felt hollow. She tells us about her journey to faith, but does not take us into her journey, so instead most of the book was a flowery depiction of a memory — idealizing Oxford, “name dropping” quotes here and there from U2 and literature and turning her time into metaphor. I’m glad she had a powerful experience, but for me the storytelling felt inauthentic especially the way that the characters “speech” at each other. I’m not sure who this book is for, but I guess not for me.
sarahvigue's review against another edition
4.0
Such a gentle book. A little hard to believe the intricate details of daily life and dialogue were remembered and recorded as a college student… but wonderful book
jennaherrington's review against another edition
2.75
I enjoyed the story of Carolyn's surprising journey to faith in the academic environment of Oxford, but to be honest I thought this book was very poorly written. The language was often awkward; there were rapid jumps from topic to topic and weird digressions that didn't fit; the long conversations about matters of faith sounded forced and like she was trying too hard to be deep or clever; and I thought the humor was all pretty cringy. I really wanted to like this book, but I didn't.
sdelcharco's review against another edition
5.0
I savored this story, and soaked in the lyrical words, highlighting just about half the book. I look forward to watching the movie. (I lost the library book for a time which is why it took me a while to read!)
cassiakarin's review against another edition
5.0
Delightfully Sweet.
If you have ever travelled someone magical, or been captivated by love story only to realize it was your own, or sat among giants, or been given advise by a wondering wizard, then this book will enchant your imagination for reality, and bring the heavens closer to touch.
I am coming away from this book moved, revived, and thrilled. Because of it I want to make new friendships and probe deeply into the heart and mind of those I interact with. I want to love deeper the friends and acquaintances that I cherish. I want to read and become wise, and study the great men and woman of my day and centuries past. Most of all, I want to read my Bible more.
What great motivations can come from the story of one woman over the span of nine months.
This book was well written and wonderfully read. Yes, I admit there were a lot of moments where felt it too mushy, too soft, maybe too sentimental, but then again, I could relate to it all. The language was flowery, but well cultivated like an immaculate garden. There wasn't "fluff" but flower. The author kept very much on the topic of her conversion, and did not cloud the story with too much else.
I want to give this book a 4 star... but I enjoyed it just too much to not put 5.
If you have ever travelled someone magical, or been captivated by love story only to realize it was your own, or sat among giants, or been given advise by a wondering wizard, then this book will enchant your imagination for reality, and bring the heavens closer to touch.
I am coming away from this book moved, revived, and thrilled. Because of it I want to make new friendships and probe deeply into the heart and mind of those I interact with. I want to love deeper the friends and acquaintances that I cherish. I want to read and become wise, and study the great men and woman of my day and centuries past. Most of all, I want to read my Bible more.
What great motivations can come from the story of one woman over the span of nine months.
This book was well written and wonderfully read. Yes, I admit there were a lot of moments where felt it too mushy, too soft, maybe too sentimental, but then again, I could relate to it all. The language was flowery, but well cultivated like an immaculate garden. There wasn't "fluff" but flower. The author kept very much on the topic of her conversion, and did not cloud the story with too much else.
I want to give this book a 4 star... but I enjoyed it just too much to not put 5.