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007medsci's review against another edition
5.0
It took a little bit for me to get into the book, but once I got going I really enjoyed it. True, there are some ways that this book seemed over the top. I mean Weber's intellect is something. She has amazing recall of literary passages that she has memorized or otherwise studied. Perhaps everyone else is like her, but I'm not. Her questions, even handed ponderings and compassion are admirable. The truth of Christianity is such a deep, rich, endless topic to contemplate and discuss. Her prose is also a delight to read.
samara_surface's review against another edition
5.0
I cannot recommend this book too highly! At the same time, I feel that this book may have been written just for me.
Carolyn Weber's memoir is beautifully real yet magical and hilarious all at the same time =) I especially appreciated her creative imagery and countless literary allusions. The witty quotes and U2 lyrics were delightful as well. If you choose to read this, I highly doubt you will be disappointed.
****************************
Updated as part of my series "31 Days of Books" over at Wait and Hope
Title: Surprised by Oxford
Author: Carolyn Weber
Published: 2011
Year I read it: 2011
One sentence summary: In the memoir of her first year of grad school studying English at Oxford, Weber recalls her journey into new realms of academia, relationships, and faith.
Interesting fact: My cousin had the author as a professor and I found this out only after she had moved - missed connection.
Three reasons to read it:
You want to talk about intertextuality? Weber, now a lit professor, weaves her story with marvelous connections to famous authors, beautiful passages, and a load of U2 lyrics. It's a beautiful read for any fellow bibliophile.
While reading this book, I walked into my mom's room and said, "Mom, I have a problem. I'm falling in love with a guy in a book. And he's not fictional. And he's not dead." All that to say, the romance in this book is a delight! And the fact that it takes place in Oxford doesn't hurt...
It is so refreshing to hear of an intellectual's journey of faith. Weber gets vulnerable, sharing about her wrestling through skepticism, feminism, and a host of other things. I loved reading about her wrestling and the revelation she got through it.
One reason you maybe shouldn't:
I really can't think of any detractors for this one. Highly recommend it!
Great quotes:
"Even Oxford's infrastructure was conducive to contemplation, revelation. Its walls seemed infused with mystery... It was tempting to think that resting my head against htis stony chest would betray a heartbeat, or by putting my ear to this shell, I could hear the distant but undeniable advancing and then retreating of whispered wisdom."
"Life is messy. Life is beatuiful and terrible and messy. So why would we expect a faith in this life that is easy to understand?"
"Any student of literature knows that metaphor is far more precise than the literal..."
"Books become alive not only when read, but when shared..."
"A happy ending makes up for a lot."
"Dead authors really do make the best friends."
Carolyn Weber's memoir is beautifully real yet magical and hilarious all at the same time =) I especially appreciated her creative imagery and countless literary allusions. The witty quotes and U2 lyrics were delightful as well. If you choose to read this, I highly doubt you will be disappointed.
****************************
Updated as part of my series "31 Days of Books" over at Wait and Hope
Title: Surprised by Oxford
Author: Carolyn Weber
Published: 2011
Year I read it: 2011
One sentence summary: In the memoir of her first year of grad school studying English at Oxford, Weber recalls her journey into new realms of academia, relationships, and faith.
Interesting fact: My cousin had the author as a professor and I found this out only after she had moved - missed connection.
Three reasons to read it:
You want to talk about intertextuality? Weber, now a lit professor, weaves her story with marvelous connections to famous authors, beautiful passages, and a load of U2 lyrics. It's a beautiful read for any fellow bibliophile.
While reading this book, I walked into my mom's room and said, "Mom, I have a problem. I'm falling in love with a guy in a book. And he's not fictional. And he's not dead." All that to say, the romance in this book is a delight! And the fact that it takes place in Oxford doesn't hurt...
It is so refreshing to hear of an intellectual's journey of faith. Weber gets vulnerable, sharing about her wrestling through skepticism, feminism, and a host of other things. I loved reading about her wrestling and the revelation she got through it.
One reason you maybe shouldn't:
I really can't think of any detractors for this one. Highly recommend it!
Great quotes:
"Even Oxford's infrastructure was conducive to contemplation, revelation. Its walls seemed infused with mystery... It was tempting to think that resting my head against htis stony chest would betray a heartbeat, or by putting my ear to this shell, I could hear the distant but undeniable advancing and then retreating of whispered wisdom."
"Life is messy. Life is beatuiful and terrible and messy. So why would we expect a faith in this life that is easy to understand?"
"Any student of literature knows that metaphor is far more precise than the literal..."
"Books become alive not only when read, but when shared..."
"A happy ending makes up for a lot."
"Dead authors really do make the best friends."
lehughes19's review against another edition
3.0
I really wanted to love this book. I love Oxford and I love God, but I couldn’t make myself love this book. I enjoyed following Carolyn’s journey to finding the Lord and I’m so glad she did. And in such a beautiful place as Oxford! What a gift. However, I had a hard time connecting to the characters and the overall storyline. Everyone and everything felt two dimensional.
And it was so long. I’m no stranger to a long book, but this story could have described the same events in a much more efficient way. I also have to say that it was hard to follow at times. I thought, “hang on, where are we now” or “who is she talking to” multiple times. We bounced around to different events for seemingly no reason. Many of the events did not feel connected. And lastly, the ending felt very rushed. Overall, I’m glad I read it and I would recommend it to certain readers, with caveats.
And it was so long. I’m no stranger to a long book, but this story could have described the same events in a much more efficient way. I also have to say that it was hard to follow at times. I thought, “hang on, where are we now” or “who is she talking to” multiple times. We bounced around to different events for seemingly no reason. Many of the events did not feel connected. And lastly, the ending felt very rushed. Overall, I’m glad I read it and I would recommend it to certain readers, with caveats.
edhyndman's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
rebekah_rei's review against another edition
5.0
Rating 4.5 rounded up
Carolyn Weber invites readers into the questions and conversations about faith that she had while attending Oxford University. She came to know Christ and His deep Fatherly love for her. I'm thankful that Carolyn documented her testimony and chose to share it with the world.
I really enjoyed this memoir! The descriptions of Oxford are beautiful. I listened to it as an audiobook.
Carolyn Weber was a guest on the That Sounds Fun podcast with Annie F. Downs. In the interview, Carolyn shares details about memoir wiring and turning the book into a movie. She also talks about honoring her parents with her story and the role of her husband in her testimony. I definitely recommend listening after you finish reading the book!
Carolyn Weber invites readers into the questions and conversations about faith that she had while attending Oxford University. She came to know Christ and His deep Fatherly love for her. I'm thankful that Carolyn documented her testimony and chose to share it with the world.
I really enjoyed this memoir! The descriptions of Oxford are beautiful. I listened to it as an audiobook.
Carolyn Weber was a guest on the That Sounds Fun podcast with Annie F. Downs. In the interview, Carolyn shares details about memoir wiring and turning the book into a movie. She also talks about honoring her parents with her story and the role of her husband in her testimony. I definitely recommend listening after you finish reading the book!
bookishdutchie's review against another edition
5.0
What a wonderful book.
I randomly stumbled upon its title while googling “books set at Oxford”. It took me a while to track down a copy. (This was before it was turned into a movie, so it was not yet widely available.) When I finally got my hands on it and sat down to read, I loved it instantly.
Carolyn’s (non-fiction) story resembled my own in so many ways. I too became a Christian in college. I had a lot of the same questions she had.
It’s refreshing to read about an intelligent, academic woman’s conversion. And other well educated people’s (students and professors) walks of faith. So often people think you have to leave logic and intelligence behind when you become a Christian. But you really don’t.
At some point someone tells Carolyn: “If you read what Jesus actually had to say, and not the culturally regurgitated garbage…” I loved that. Can we put that on a banner somewhere? People’s idea of Christianity rarely resembles true Christianity. Once those preconceptions crumble away and God reveals Himself…that’s where true life is found.
Aside from the story itself being wonderful, the way it is written is terrific too. The book is filled with so many literary, musical, cultural and biblical references. Those words felt familiar, hemming the story in like walls that I had run my hands over for years. A familiar element in a skillfully penned down personal account.
Well worth a read if you are a thinker and a fan of literature and academia. Or if you’re just curious about how someone finds God in the midst of student life at Oxford.
I randomly stumbled upon its title while googling “books set at Oxford”. It took me a while to track down a copy. (This was before it was turned into a movie, so it was not yet widely available.) When I finally got my hands on it and sat down to read, I loved it instantly.
Carolyn’s (non-fiction) story resembled my own in so many ways. I too became a Christian in college. I had a lot of the same questions she had.
It’s refreshing to read about an intelligent, academic woman’s conversion. And other well educated people’s (students and professors) walks of faith. So often people think you have to leave logic and intelligence behind when you become a Christian. But you really don’t.
At some point someone tells Carolyn: “If you read what Jesus actually had to say, and not the culturally regurgitated garbage…” I loved that. Can we put that on a banner somewhere? People’s idea of Christianity rarely resembles true Christianity. Once those preconceptions crumble away and God reveals Himself…that’s where true life is found.
Aside from the story itself being wonderful, the way it is written is terrific too. The book is filled with so many literary, musical, cultural and biblical references. Those words felt familiar, hemming the story in like walls that I had run my hands over for years. A familiar element in a skillfully penned down personal account.
Well worth a read if you are a thinker and a fan of literature and academia. Or if you’re just curious about how someone finds God in the midst of student life at Oxford.
gosia_maria99's review against another edition
2.0
I was hoping to love this, but the pretentious condescension of an academic voice the author adopts was super annoying.
brendaclay's review against another edition
4.0
Surprised by Oxford, a memoir by Carolyn Weber, is a relatable and inspiring account of a journey to faith. A Canadian academic, Carolyn comes to Oxford for a graduate degree in Romantic-era literature, dragging heavy baggage both literal and metaphorical. She grew up poverty-stricken, with an erratic and usually absent dad, and this scholarship to Oxford is her big break. As soon as she arrives in England, she falls in with a new group of friends, several of whom are Christians. Her old perceptions of Christianity as an antiquated, intellect-killing belief system are shattered by these fun, brilliant, vibrant people – especially a man she refers to as TDH (Tall, Dark, and Handsome). As the year goes on (the memoir is structured around the term calendar), Carolyn's mind and heart are further opened by discussions with friends and respected teachers. She teeters on the edge of faith, afraid to fully commit. Finally, she becomes a Christian, but of course, that's not the end of the story. Even as she finds deep joy and fulfillment in her new faith, she continues to struggle with the Big Questions of life and how God fits into her personal past and future.
My favorite thing about this memoir is that it doesn't pull any punches. It's raw and honest, deeply thoughtful, asks hard questions, and doesn't provide easy answers. I appreciated the emphasis that becoming a Christian has consequences and might cost you things, and relationships, that you hold dear. That's not a message you'll hear often. At the same time, this is a personal story – I enjoyed Carolyn and her friends, and to be honest, I wasn't totally hooked until I started wondering where this thing with TDH was going. :) Her descriptions of Oxford are also beautiful. I was already interested in the town and campus because of Lewis and Tolkien, but now I really want to see it for myself!
I felt that this book got bogged down by exposition at a few points. Some of the conversations were so heavy and fact-laden that they seemed made up, and I even got a little bored – I was like, Who talks like this? But if anyone does, I believe these people would. My academic friends can probably back that up.
Overall, I highly recommend this memoir.
My favorite thing about this memoir is that it doesn't pull any punches. It's raw and honest, deeply thoughtful, asks hard questions, and doesn't provide easy answers. I appreciated the emphasis that becoming a Christian has consequences and might cost you things, and relationships, that you hold dear. That's not a message you'll hear often. At the same time, this is a personal story – I enjoyed Carolyn and her friends, and to be honest, I wasn't totally hooked until I started wondering where this thing with TDH was going. :) Her descriptions of Oxford are also beautiful. I was already interested in the town and campus because of Lewis and Tolkien, but now I really want to see it for myself!
I felt that this book got bogged down by exposition at a few points. Some of the conversations were so heavy and fact-laden that they seemed made up, and I even got a little bored – I was like, Who talks like this? But if anyone does, I believe these people would. My academic friends can probably back that up.
Overall, I highly recommend this memoir.
bookishlybeauty's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.5