Surprised by Oxford, A Memoir by Carolyn Weber

The author’s “Acknowledgement” page begins with the following thoughts: “It takes a village to write a book. And, it would seem, a city to publish it.”

Can this statement be any less true of the journey one travels to complete faith in God and the Trinity? Especially, if one comes from a place that has “… no polite need of a Savior.”

Dr Carolyn Weber has written the story of her spiritual journey that begins at the oldest surviving university in the English-speaking world, Oxford University. It is her first year of graduate school and she uses the University’s three term calendar which coincides with the Christian liturgical calendar to frame her account.

As a young woman, Ms. Weber believed in reason, intellect, and education. God, if she thought about Him at all did not lurk “… among families like mine – loving enough to get by without Him, but broken enough not to deserve his attention.” It is during this year that her unbelief is challenged and her reason and intellect tested. Using an abundance of literary quotes, and poetry Dr Weber tells the story of her conversion.

In the end, she is able to acknowledge God’s real presence in her life because of the love and support of the community, including TDH* and her own unique village of faithful friends and colleagues.



*TDH is the very handsome, tall and dark American student.

A copy of this memoir was supplied by Thomas Nelson in exchange for a published review. This review is based solely on my own opinion.