Surprised By Oxford: A Memoir by Carolyn Weber

Read on my Kindle!

Genre: Biography/Autobiography

Book Summary: Carolyn, a Canadian student in English, gets a scholarship to receive her post-graduate degree at the University of Oxford in England. While there, through many a conversation, event, and friendship, she meets Jesus, who changes her life and the way she thinks about everything.

Indulgent Book Talk: This was really an indulgent read for me, to be honest. A woman, who is just about as crazy about literature as I am, gets to go study at the University of Oxford, which any self-respecting English  major would do in an instant given the opportunity, and not only gets to have literary discussions with British professors and drink pints in pubs and have "high tea" (the anglophile in me jumps and shrieks in glee), she also comes to faith in Christ in the process. This book is peppered with quotes and references from literature, and is really a jewel when it comes to the writing style. It was just a beautiful book to read. It made me want to go sit on a lawn at Oxford and gaze up at the blue sky and ponder academia and life.

Glorifying Elements: Many. Much. Gobs. I think the real strength this book has though is the way it reminded me that rarely do people come to faith in Jesus in some radical, life-changing, single moment. Instead, like many people, Carolyn's testimony is one of many conversations, many events, lots of struggling and arguing and messy thoughts and attempts to behave and failures and successes. It's very real. I think Carolyn reminds us Christians that in our attempts to share the truth and love of Jesus and the salvation He offers, we would do well to be bold and forthcoming. Words and actions are equally important. With that though, we should be patient with those we are befriending, knowing that God works on people slowly sometimes, and to not rush what God may be deliberately taking His time on. That was an important for me to remember as I continue to witness to people I love.

Worldly Elements: Don't read this book expecting systematic theology. That's not its purpose. It's one woman's story. There are a couple uses of profanity, but it is well-thought-out, appropriate profanity. I know that's weird, but if you read the book, it makes sense. Also, the conversations Carolyn recounts seem a little far-fetched to have actually occurred exactly as they are recorded, but then again, I have hung around academics, so it's possible people really do sprinkle poetry into their sentences. And of course, no memoir is a legally verifiable account of events, they are of course shaped by the author's memory and emotions. So I really don't fault her for that.

General Recommendation: I fear this book may not be quite as delightful for people who aren't as obsessed with literature and England and academia as I am. It may come across as stilted or overly philosophical. But I just loved it, and I love stories about people coming to faith, and it is beautiful just for that reason.