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Insightful,
Inspiring,
Romantic

16 reviews

Oxford Messed Up
by Andrea Kayne Kaufman

Published: 2011-11-17
Paperback : 336 pages
112 members reading this now
17 clubs reading this now
19 members have read this book
Recommended to book clubs by 15 of 16 members
Oxford Messed Up is a unique literary love story that transports readers on a meaningful and emotional journey where the academic world of Oxford, the music of Van Morrison, and an old claw-foot bathtub serve as a backdrop for learning, self-discovery, and transcendent love. Rhodes Scholar Gloria ...
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Introduction

Oxford Messed Up is a unique literary love story that transports readers on a meaningful and emotional journey where the academic world of Oxford, the music of Van Morrison, and an old claw-foot bathtub serve as a backdrop for learning, self-discovery, and transcendent love. Rhodes Scholar Gloria Zimmerman is an academic superstar who has come to Oxford University to study feminist poetry. Yet the rigors of the academy pale in comparison to her untreated Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, fueled by her overachieving parents and manifested in a deathly aversion to germs and human contact. Her next-door neighbor (who is also, to her mortification, her loomate) is Henry Young, the appealing but underachieving musician son of an overbearing and disapproving Oxford don. Still mourning the death of his supportive mother while enduring the mockery of his disapproving and merciless father, Henry is haunted by the unexpectedly serious ramifications of a reckless and tragic youth. Gloria and Henry's relationship evolves from a shared obsession with Van Morrison's music into a desire on the part of each to fill in the gaps in the life of the other. Yet the constraints of a debilitating illness and the looming revelation of a catastrophic secret conspire to throw their worlds into upheaval and threaten the possibilities of their unlikely yet redemptive love.

Editorial Review

No editorial review at this time.

Excerpt

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Discussion Questions

Suggested by Members

What inspired the author Andrea Kayne Kaufman to write so eloquently about the topic of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder?
by ReadingGardener (see profile) 05/14/12

What did you know about OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder) before reading this book?
Was there a moment that Oliver entered the picture or was he always there?
What music are you drawn to in times of stress? What role did music play in this story?
by PSAnderson (see profile) 02/03/12

Notes From the Author to the Bookclub

No notes at this time.

Book Club Recommendations

Music
by Beth4Books (see profile) 05/30/12
Definitely play Van Morrison while you read the book. It sets the mood.
an English tea
by ReadingGardener (see profile) 05/14/12
In honor of the Oxford University setting, consider serving tiny scones, teacakes, finger sandwiches and fresh berries with cream and an assortment of teas.

Member Reviews

Overall rating:
 
 
  "Oxford Messed Up"by Wendy R. (see profile) 07/18/12

I loved this book! This is a story of two extremely flawed characters, coming from dysfunctional families who find each other - and help each other. The author uses the music/poetry of Van Morrison to... (read more)

 
  "Oxford Messed Up"by Beth O. (see profile) 05/30/12

Our book club absolutely loved this book. Wonderful discussions.

 
by Alyssa K. (see profile) 10/27/19

 
  "Disappointing "by ralph b. (see profile) 06/04/13

I had average expectations and even those weren't met.

 
  "I blew through this book in a weekend!!"by SARA D. (see profile) 11/19/12

 
  "Oxford Messed Up"by Jeanne B. (see profile) 11/17/12

 
  "Oxford Messed Up"by Linda H. (see profile) 05/14/12

To use an oft quoted baseball analogy, Andrea Kayne Kaufman, has hit a home run clear out of the park with this brilliant, compelling first novel. It’s my favorite book to date of books re... (read more)

 
  "Literary romance"by Amy C. (see profile) 03/18/12

The intersection of music, poetry, and academia make a wonderful backdrop for the very cool romance of two 'messed up' students. I found myself cheering for them early on, and thinking of them long after... (read more)

 
  "Loved It!"by Alethea S. (see profile) 03/06/12

The best novels are the ones which sweep you away into a different time and place and where you emerge a better person for having learned something along the way. Oxford Messed Up is such a novel. The... (read more)

 
  "Oxford Messed Up"by pam a. (see profile) 02/16/12

Wonderful characters thrown in a thought provoking adventure.
Such an unlikely paring and beautiful love story.
I would recommend it on so many levels.

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