Surprised by Oxford

Romantics, dreamers, and thinkers will be captivated by this story of transformation, hope, and love. Based on the award-winning memoir, Surprised by Oxford is the incredible true story of Caro Drake, a young, headstrong American who lands a coveted scholarship to the University of Oxford for her postgraduate studies. Burdened with trust issues and intellectually hostile towards the abstract, Caro begins her time in Oxford with the singular goal of attaining her PhD. But through a tempestuous friendship with a charming young man and the wise counsel of the college’s first female provost, Caro begins to open herself up to mystery, vulnerability, and the possibility of love. Surprised by Oxford invites audiences into a world of romance, reason, and high calling. The true-life story of college-aged American Caro Drake is a wonder-filled exploration of life’s beauty and complexity, experienced in a manner not entirely dissimilar to C.S. Lewis’s famous awakening nearly a century ago in the hallowed halls of Oxford, England. This special screening includes a conversation between bestselling author Carolyn Weber and author, podcaster and speaker Annie F. Downs, recorded exclusively for movie theatre audiences. Full of love and laughter, hear Carolyn and Annie discuss the significance of the book and the journey from the page to the screen.