Review: Surprised by Oxford

Posted by Paul | Filed under uncategorised

The 1995 film Before Sunrise famously focusses on the part of a relationship that most romantic stories leave out — the process of getting to know another person through talking and time spent. Most worry about how to get the couple together, Before Sunrise explored what happens once they’ve met.

The new memoir Surprised by Oxford takes a similar path in its description of a conversion to Christianity. It looks not at the way life led Carolyn Weber to hear about God, but her wrestling once she had. Starting from her arrival in Oxford as a post-graduate, the book takes us through the events, conversations, thoughts — and romantic entanglements — of one year.

The result is an honest description of the issues of someone confronted with faith. It makes clear that, even for a thoughtful person, the process of conversion is not just a matter of addressing intellectual issues but is wrapped up with emotional struggles as well.

It is not perfect. It would have been a stronger book — and be open to a wider audience — if it was more self-contained, if did not assume so much knowledge about Christianity. And the reported conversations are mixed: Some had me gripped, such as a description of the discussion at a college High Table. On the other hand, some felt a little too neat and unrealistic.

But given all that it is a thoroughly enjoyable and immensely readable book. Both Weber and the people who populate her life are a pleasure to spend time with.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Read more | Comments (0) | October 13th, 2011