Oxford and Magical Books

This weekend I went to Oxford, mainly to see the Magical Books exhibition at the Bodleian — but also because the city looms large in my readerly imagination and was currently number one on my mental list of literary places to visit in the UK.

Magical Books: From the Middle Ages to Middle-earth is an exhibition dedicated to children’s fantasy literature, particularly the work of “the group of writers informally known as the ‘Oxford School’: C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, Susan Cooper, Alan Garner and Philip Pullman”. In addition to this, it focuses on “some of the books and manuscripts that contain the myths, legends and magical practices on which these Oxford-educated authors freely drew for inspiration.” In short, if there ever was an exhibition whose subject was closer to my heart I haven’t had the good fortune to find it.

Read More
Needless to say, I found it beautiful and inspiring and had a most wonderful time. For obvious reasons I couldn’t take picture of any of the manuscripts on display, but I invite you to take some time to browse through the exhibition’s excellent website. Or, if you have the chance to visit Oxford before the end of the month, you can still go see it in person. Some of the highlights include a first edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone illustrated by Rowling herself, a manuscript of The Owl Service, a replica Alethiometer on loan from Philip Pullman, and replicas of the Six Signs from The Dark is Rising made for Susan Cooper by her husband. Also, behold the Wall of Books of Awesome:


I wanted to hug them all.
After the exhibition, I took advantage of the unexpected sunshine to make my way to the Botanical Gardens, where I wanted to visit a certain bench:


My heart.
The bench and its surroundings. Also, I have now vowed to reread His Dark Materials over the Christmas holidays. Best idea ever or best idea ever?


And lastly, the view from the bench.
The fact that this bench actually exists and is so close to Magdalen Bridge, also important to me because of reasons, was almost too much for my poor heart. I’m not entirely sure why visiting real places associated with imaginary events has the power to move me this much — I suppose it’s because these tangible locations are as close as I can get to touching imaginary worlds that have added so much to my life. Also, being there was a reminder of why I love these stories, and being alive on a crispy autumn morning and feeling flooded with affection for words on a page and the worlds they conjure is a most wonderful thing.

Magdalen Bridge. I didn’t exactly help myself by walking into a bookshop and reading the last page of Gaudy Night. ALL THE TEARS.

A few more photos of the gorgeous Botanical Gardens:









An Austrian Pine rumoured to have been favoured by Tolkien and to have helped inspire the Ents.

And here is the city in all is autumnal glory:





The Museum of the History of Science is full of strange and fascinating objects and it made me wish I wrote fiction.



















The Hall at Christ Church College, where the Hogwarts Dining Hall scenes were filmed.


Charles Dodgson portrait in the Hall.






All the Oxford World Classics Wilkie Collins. *pines*

Books as far as the eye can see: the Norrington Room at Blackwell’s.


The Vaults & Garden tea room.

Friends, I do not say this lightly: possibly the best scones I have ever had.

***
There was plenty I didn’t have time to see or do — the extended tour of the Bodleian, the rest of the colleges, the Natural History Museum, which is currently closed for refurbishment, etc — so I’ll definitely have to go back some day. I believe this is it for me this year as far as trips are concerned, but hopefully my literary pilgrimage will continue in 2014. Will it prove to be the year I finally make it to Hay-on-Wye?