Oxford Messed Up
Being from Chicago, Jewish and having lived in the UK and treated for an anxiety disorder with CBT (Cognitive Behavior Therapy) while living there I felt particularly attuned to this book. I alternated feeling that the OCD aspects were very accurate to being incensed about the way it was treated as quirkiness. I thought the friend to lover relationship between Gloria and Henry was interesting but knew nothing about Van Morrison’s lyrics or the dead poets’ poems until I researched Van Morrison and realized how closely his anxiety issues paralleled Gloria’s. Further his bio says his lyrics go back to those of visionary poets. He also lived in the U.S. for a time before going back to the UK. Had I read this before getting very far into the book I would have realized how incredibly creative Kaufman was in weaving these two elements into Gloria and Henry’s lives. I enjoyed the book but was disturbed in parts also having a close family member with OCD who also will not take her meds. This would be a very good book for a book group and I would heartily recommend it….but read about Van Morrison first, it would make the book make more sense.
Rated of 5
by Shirley L. (Norco, LA)
A Love Story Pure and Simple
I have been a therapist for twenty five years and was intrigued by the topic of OCD and Cognitive Behavior Therapy in the description of this book. I loved how this book was written. It is a love story and like all interesting love stories the lovers must have an obstacle to overcome. Enter OCD and other psychological and medical problems. Mental and emotional disorders are never cured by crafty techniques but rather by relationship. It might be the relationship of therapist to patient or as in this story the healing power of a love relationship. Relationship cures. What a beautiful message contained in a beautiful story of two very flawed Oxford students who grow and flourish by loving each other.
Rated of 5
by Kathy S. (Danbury, CT)
Oxford Messed Up
This book did not immediately grab my attention, but I persevered and found that once Gloria's plane touched down in London, I could not put down this book. This love story, between two psychologically messed up Oxford students, was a refreshing change and I found myself rooting for both Gloria and Henry. Once the book ended I wanted to know what happened next.
This book would be a good choice for a book club as there is a lot to discuss.
Rated of 5
by Charlene M. (Murrells Inlet, SC)
Oxford Messed Up
Ms Kaufman is an excellent writer. She has given us a glimpse into the world of two obsessive strangers & has found a common element in both stories. The trauma, the feeling of rejection & the feeling of isolation. The correlation between two people - one with OCD disease & one with the oppressive sense of loss.
Rated of 5
by Joan B. (Ellicott City, MD)
OXFORD MESSED UP
i really was fascinated by this book. I wanted to finish the book but not end the story. The writing and word choices held my attention. I checked on Van Morrison with my adult daughter and found that I already loved some of his music. I have a friend who complains of having OCD. Being a skeptic, I thought the symptoms were an exaggeration in her mind. This book certainly portrays the mind numbing trauma the condition can cause. Happily, I could also see that recovery is possible.
Henry and Gloria are people I could like. I was thrilled when they could be happy. I even developed a special fondness for Oliver. I hope my book club will pick this book!
Rated of 5
by Beth C. (Sioux Falls, SD)
Oxford Messed Up -a Wonderful Story
I loved this book. Andrea Kaufman has done a marvelous job of creating characters with major personality flaws (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and substance abuse) and turned them into people with heart and substance. Gloria, the obsessive Rhodes scholar, is studying the poetry of feminist writers Sylvia Plath and Sara Teasdale, and Henry, ex-addict and scholarly failure, share a bathroom in their graduate student housing. Kaufman lets the reader into Gloria's OCD in a way that is both instructional and humane. Henry's issues also become a source of realistic information. I especially enjoyed the intellectual aspect of the book as Gloria writes and comments about her women poets and the collaboration she does with Henry regarding the poetry/music of Van Morrison. For me, the book worked on many levels and I was truly pleased with the results.
I would definitely recommend "Oxford Messed Up" to friends and to book groups.
Rated of 5
by Bobbie D. (Boca Raton, FL)
Oxford Messed Up
The book is very well written with a combination of happy and sad moments. Loved Gloria and Henry.
Putting 2 post graduate students at Oxford who each come with terrible baggage and connecting them by the "loo" was very clever. Hard to imagine how one of them was a germophobe with OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder) who spent hours cleaning (Gloria) and the other (Henry) was a dirty slob who often didn't change his clothes for days. Bringing them together with the Van Morrison music was such a clever idea. Finding out about Gloria and Henry and their history as the story goes along kept you wanting more and hoping that there was some way they could work out their problems. This book should appeal to everyone. It's different and quite special.
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of 5
by Lisa G. (Riverwoods, IL)
