Oxford

by Matthew Rice

Oxford is one of the jewels of European architecture, much loved and much visited. The city offers an unparallelled collection of the best of English building through the centuries. Matthew Rice's Oxford is a feast of delightful watercolour illustrations and an informed and witty text, explaining how the city came into being and what to look out for today. While the focus is on architectural detail, Rice also describes how the city has been shaped by its history, most of all by generations of patrons who had the education and the resources to commission work from the greatest architects and builders of their day, an astonishing range of which still stands.  More than anywhere else in England, it is possible in Oxford to take in the history of English architecture simply by walking today's streets, lanes, parks and meadows. 'A lovely book extensively illustrated with his idiosyncratic and witty watercolours' Daily Telegraph on Building Norfolk. 'His pictures sing from the page. Unlike photographs, the medium allows him to 'emphasise, exclude or exaggerate', and its washes are ideal for rendering, say, the uneven colour of a wall of carrstone. Architectural features have annotations in the author's own hand, and these can range from the witty to exasperated' World of Interiors on Building Norfolk

Genres: Nonfiction, Art, Travel

Kindle Edition

First published October 15, 2019

Reviews

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free copy of, Oxford, by Matthew Rice, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is a good book for Oxford lovers. This book has beautiful pictures and information on Oxford. All the rich history of Oxford is explored.

[Alisha Trenalone · Rating 3 out of 5]

An informative look at the architectural history of Oxford, paired with illustrations of buildings and some close-up design. I liked that the book was light on text, providing just enough context to get a general overview of the forces that have shaped Oxford's aesthetic. But the handwriting-style script used to caption the illustrations was rather difficult to read.

Thanks to Netgalley and Quarto Publishing Group for this digital review copy.

[Ink · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oxford by Matthew Rice is a gorgeous and insightful visual study of the city of Oxford. This is a city I know very well and as such was absolutely mesmerised by the beautiful watercolours and pencil sketches within.

My favourite image was that of St Pauls Walton St which reflects two era's1836 and modern day. The painting is wonderfully juxtaposed and reflects the change in the use of the building from day to night, from pious endeavours to celebrations

It the beginning of every chapter, the reader is treated to a very well researched history that is concise and intelligent. This complements the beautifully handwritten notes onn many of the illustrations

This book is absolutely delightful. If you have never been to Oxford, you will love it, if you are of Oxford, you will adore the heart and soul of the images. If you just enjoy art and architecture, you will love, love this book. Stunning

Thank you very much to Netgalley, Quarto Publishing Group – White Lion, Frances Lincoln, and the authorMatthew Rice for this stunning and informative ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

[RE · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a fun, pretty book!

I really enjoyed learning more about Oxford and the history of its stunning architecture. The illustrations were beautiful and brought back the wonder of seeing the place in person.

My only complaint is that the introductions and handwritten notes were often hard to read due to run-on sentences, fragments, and missing words.

I still recommend this to anyone who wants to look at lovely illustrations of Oxford though!

Thank you to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group – White Lion for an ARC.

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

A love letter to Oxford, or at least Oxford's architectural detailing. After an introduction that shows the place to be a living amalgam of classical design theme park and actual lived city (and you may decide into which half the undergrads might fit), what we get is light on the text. Instead we get looks at this era, that age, that epoch, and then just the drawings – watercolour and inks, with hand-lettered captions for the buildings' location and date and designer. My layman's eye saw a little of the Paul Hogarth (witness the white of the moonshine on the Radcliffe Observatory at night, or the colourless void of the Christ Church college gate), but that's merely because he was the kind of illustrator I grew up looking at, and he would never have had the patience for much of the detailing here. All told it's a very reviewer-proof title – if you know you need this, you need this (and should probably have bought it before now, as this came out in 2019 and is just reviewed for a vanilla reissue); if you think you might need it, you probably do; and if you are on the fence you'll not be disappointed by the look, and be happy to have it. If you know it's not for you, I'd back you up on that.

It has actually shrunk a couple of inches since first coming out, but it's still no pocket book, and fits well into the output of a creative who has cast his eye over many architecturally splendid places. It doesn't look out of place in that career, and as the actress said to the college chaplain, a couple of inches either way wouldn't hurt anyone.

[joyce w. laudon · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I think of Oxford, i imagine the “dreaming spires”…Dorothy Sayers (Gaudy Night)…C.S. Lewis…Morse (and his Lewis)and more. Oxford is a place that conjures images in people’s minds.

Whether a person has been to Oxford and wants to go back virtually, wants to know more of its history, or just wants to explore the city virtually for fun, this book is a good resource.

Rice covers the history of Oxford beginning with monastic Oxford (up to 1536) and makes his way to the era of Modern Oxford (1945 to now). He also looks at hotels, streets, houses and more.

The illustrations and maps in this book make it a completely enjoyable experience for book lovers. There are so many and they are just lovely. It can be tempting to look at the art and skip the text but that would be a mistake.

I highly recommend this title to anyone who has an affinity with Oxford. They are sure to enjoy it.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own.

[Nicola Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve never been to Oxford but I’ve always wanted to. I’ve heard of and (digitally) seen the beautiful buildings and the rich history and architecture and it was nice to view the city through the eyes of this book.

It covers a great mix of old and more modern, breaking down eras into sections and heading each chapter with a few pages of writing followed by images. And can I just say, the artwork in the book was absolutely STUNNING. It was so easy just to stall on the pages and just appreciate the beauty of the art.

I think it will mean more to those who have been and know Oxford and can see places they recognise within the pages but still a wonderful little flow through for those wanting to see and know more about the place. It’s so rich in history!

It’s very easy to flick through or read from cover to cover. A great read for any lover or student of Oxford.

Thank you to the author and publisher for this book on NetGalley in return for my honest thoughts and review.

[Michelle Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I originally thought to read this because CS Lewis’s and J.R.R. Tolkien’s (former Oxford professors) works have been a profound influence in my life.

I’m probably a bit of a different reader type for this, considering that I’ve not been able to visit Oxford (it’s on my list of things to do when my family and I take our first visit to England), so seeing the buildings that are so familiar to some was a new experience for me.

This book was a delight - the watercolor paintings and pencil sketches are gorgeous and full of life. As I read a PDF of this, I did have a difficult time with the size of the font ( I imagine the size in the book will be easier to read) but the writing is rich with history.

A wonderful coffee table book, perfect for Oxford lovers, Anglophiles, architecture appreciators, and armchair historians.



Thank you to Frances Lincoln and NetGalley for the DRC

[Melissa Kh · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 ⭐️
I’ve never been to Oxford and all my ignorant’ self knew about this city was “the University of Oxford is prestigious”, but let me tell you, Matthew Rice and his book, made to want to pack a carry on luggage, drive to the airport, and board on the first plane to Oxford.

This has been a very delightful read, providing the reader not only with an historical background of the city and its architecture but also with beautiful illustrations and watercolour/pencil drawings.
I loved it so much and I’m definitely going to check more books by this author.

Thanks to Netgalley and the published for providing me with this eARC.

[Lisa Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the one hand, I decided after reading this that I needed to go to Oxford, even going so far as to price tickets on the train and the London to Oxford tube (how cool is that?) This book has all the history and architecture you need to have a great trip. On the other hand, I wanted at least a few photos to get perspective on what it will actually be like. The most interesting thing to me, that I'd never thought about, was how much isn't associated with the university. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this

[Randal White · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always been enthralled with Oxford. Even as a teenager, I would imagine what it would be like to be a student there. The history, the buildings, the libraries, and all the people! Unfortunately, I was too afraid to leave the Midwest, cross the Atlantic and take a chance on an Oxford education. But now that I'm retired, it's on my bucket list!
The author has awakened the dreamer in me. His telling of the history, the stories, and the buildings sounds fascinating. And the illustrations are fantastic.
If, like me, you're a dreamer and romantic, you'll really enjoy this book!

[Laurieanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this eARC from NetGalley and the publisher in return for an honest review.

This is a very niche book: it focuses on the architecture of Oxford—the University and the city—providing context in the way of historical influences on the choices made in different eras.

There are numerous detailed, colored drawings of many buildings, and a few sketched maps; this book is predominantly illustrations. It’s well down but probably too detailed and esoteric for a general audience.

[Ines · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming read with very charming illustrations about the historical architecture of Oxford. Whether you've been to Oxford or not, this will surely make you want to book a city break to visit it ASAP.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely illustrated guide to the architecture of one of England's premier educational institutions. Filled with history, notes and facts about the buildings and their creation. This is a great guide if you want to learn more about Oxford.

[Katia Dzepava · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simply holding this book in my hands felt magical. I loved the story through watercolour pictures, the humour (Phoenix Picture House's comment made me chuckle) and, although I sometimes struggled with the handwriting, the sense of magic remained throughout.

[Laura Derbyshire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning book full of gorgeous architectural illustrations in Rice's wonderful style.

[A J HOOPER · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful coloured drawings of Oxford buildings. Rather gorgeous.

[Meandmy Tea · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's been a few months since I've been to Oxford and this book helped me feel like I was walking the streets again, it is Beautifully Illustrated and full of wonderful information!

[Andréa]

Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gorgeously rendered and delightful illustrated history of the architecture of Oxford.

If you’re familiar with the town and the university you’ll recognize pretty much every building featured here, though the illustrations are wonderful regardless, and Rice zeroes in on many intriguing details that you may not have noticed previously. The book would also be a terrific way to get to know the architecture of Oxford.

It’s a good blend of history and some more technical architectural content, and the illustrations are both abundant and gorgeously done. If only Rice would choose to tackle the interior architecture of the university’s structures as his next project!

*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*