BOOK REVIEW
Book: Surprised by Oxford: A Memoir
Author: Carolyn Weber
My friend’s husband is one of the most powerful lawyers in America, and one of the most intelligent, well-read people I know. He reads every kind of genre, multiple books at a time. And he loves Jesus. While my son was studying at Oxford University, he read this book – Surprised by Oxford. When he told us that it might be the best book he’d ever read, we took notice! We hoped to gain insight into Oxford. But now our entire family has read it, been deeply affected by the story, and it is mentioned as a shared point of reference and personal experience for us as a family.
Weber relates, in beautiful and alluring narrative, the story of her journey from a broken childhood, the secular attraction to academia, and the stunning encounter she experiences with impressive, exceedingly intelligent people who, shock of all shocks, love Jesus.
My favorite part of this book was the way good, faithful men who were not afraid of her abrasive manner, caused such confusion in her status quo. All she had imbibed from a harsh, worldly perspective about what it means to be a woman was challenged. I love how honestly and brilliantly she communicates this aspect of our culture through her vulnerable heart experience.
Reading this will give you astounding insight into how Christians come across to secularists, and why we are unfortunately so unattractive to the world. It’s convicting and embarrassing, but also very helpful if we’re willing to learn from Weber’s candor. This is one of the most beautifully written books I’ve ever encountered. Her PhD in English Literature sources the power of her language, and is wedded to the Word Who became flesh, Whose Voice woos us all.
