What do you see in your mind’s eye when you think of Oxford? Is it the university? The annual boat race? Is it all those famous people who studied there? All those glorious buildings and all those films and series taking place there? Whatever pops up in your mind, you must know that Oxford is a city with a rich history. What many people aren’t aware of, however, is that this is quite a biased history, one written by rich, white, educated men.
Last week, I was in Oxford. I got a glimpse of the Colleges, had a tour of the library, bought a couple of books, wandered around in the Botanical Garden, and, frankly, walked around there feeling like I belonged there. Whenever I go on a city trip, I try to read books set in whichever place it is I am visiting. This time, I read not one, but three books taking place in Oxford. And that’s how it dawned on me that this glorious city, with its rich history and its beautiful buildings, this flawless city which I am desperate to study at, has different sides to it.
In the next three blog posts I will shine a light on those parts of Oxford that often go unmentioned, using the three books that I have recently read. All three books were written in the last decade, but take place in different eras and show a completely different side of Oxford.
Will you join me on this trip?
The Open Book 