Sunday, September 25, 2011

Best Memoir I've Read in a Long Time

Surprised by Oxford by Carolyn Weber.
This good natured and upbeat author’s memoir of an academic year spent studying at Oxford University in England is a high point of my reading this year.
As I read this outstanding memoir I also read a different memoir by a well known restaurant owner and chef, and found that I read the chef's tale of nasty vignettes quickly, longing to escape, and in contrast I carefully and happily read the spiritual memoir "Surprised by Oxford." The chef's tale was riveting and repugnant yet this other story, written by Carolyn Meyer, of her upward climb toward a joyful relationship with God and church members made my days brighter as I read it.
Wow! The author shares her unexpected journey toward becoming a Christian while what she was seeking at Oxford was a more comfortable year of academic learning. Weber meets many people, some of them Christians, who all play a part in her transformation. The most intriguing of these people she calls TDH in her memoir, which stands for Tall, Dark and Handsome.
Read this book to find out what the delightful “fish walk” in Oxford is.
Weber includes snippets of poetry and Scripture which I added to my list of favorite quotations.
One quote she includes here that is new to me that I love is by Father Pierre Teilhard de Chardin. “I pray, O master, that the flames of hell may not touch me or any of those whom I love. And even that they may never touch anyone. (And I know, my God, that you will forgive this bold prayer).”
Weber’s friend Rachel explained to her that she chose her home church because the gospel was taught with all due respect and it was apparent that the congregation was having fun. Those are two criteria I use myself.
Reading this memoir is like inhaling a fresh breeze; I inhaled it deeply and felt it is cleansing.
Thank you to Booksneeze for provide this book to review.

12 comments:

Rosaria Williams said...

Ah, always nice to find a little treasure!

Tanna said...

thank you for your review. blessings ~ tanna

Lady Jane said...

This looks like an excellent book will look for it. Thanks for the heads up on this one. Lj

Catherine Anne said...

Thanks for this! I am also goign to ck out your other blog. Blessings

Laura said...

Hello Terra, thank you so much for dropping by my blog...shine on:-)

My Farmhouse Kitchen said...

i'll have to check this out...

be fun for Fall....

kary and teddy

~*~ saskia ~*~ said...

Have a happiest of Thursdays, Terra xxxx

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

Thanks for the recommendation sweetie, I'm always on the hunt for my winter readin' list and this sounds great.

God bless ya and have a fantastic weekend sweetie!!! :o)

David C Brown said...

Interesting. The upward way is always the more interesting way!

Rebecca Nelson said...

I'm going to check this out, Terra! I LOVE TO READ!

xoRebecca

dandelionfleur said...

Thanks for the review!

Denise said...

I am so far behind in my reading.. I will put that on my list..... Thanks for sharing..

Have a wonderful fall day!