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.