Oxford Girl (Kindle Single) [Kindle Edition]

Plum Sykes (Author)

Book Description

Plum Sykes always dreamed of going to Oxford as a young girl. When she arrived (wearing a black lycra mini-skirt, in 1988) she was plunged into a world of punting and Pimms, snobs and suicide attempts. Sykes' mini-memoir of her first term at the famed university is as comical as it is touching. Think Mean Girls meets Brideshead Revisited.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Plum Sykes doesn't stray far from her inside stories about the social elite in Oxford Girl. In fact, this short narrative could serve as the prequel to her bestselling novels Bergdorf Blondes and The Debutante Divorcee--life in England before arriving in the Big Apple, and before arriving at all. Sykes spent her teen years dreaming of herself at the hallowed institution, Oxford. That's because she coveted not only an education, but also the chance to befriend the rich, the powerful, and the lookists--and to meet her real-life Lord Sebastian Flyte, the fictitious aristocrat in Evelyn Waugh's Brideshead Revisited. Before us, she transforms from awkward child to graceful debutante to college party girl, and you really can't help but feel as though you're right alongside her the whole time.--Shirley Hong

Product Details

• File Size: 140 KB
• Print Length: 25 pages
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B004V5HZS0
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Not Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #53,485 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
  • #16 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Arts & Photography > Graphic Design > Commercial > Fashion Design
  • #18 in Kindle Store > Kindle Singles > The World Stage
  • #27 in Kindle Store > Kindle Singles > Memoirs

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The fun years of fun girls May 21, 2011

By Susanna Hutcheson TOP 500 REVIEWER

Format:Kindle Edition

Like the author, I too wanted to marry Prince Charles and have a pony. Where we differ is I wanted to go to Radcliff, not Oxford. But then, I would have never met the prince I guess. Oh, well. Turns out it was a good thing.

As an older woman of a certain age, I can oh so relate to the author. Yes, I wanted to play at Wimbledon. After all, my uncle did. But, I didn't. I did, however, win some championship matches. And such is life for all girls. And such were the memories it caused me to recall with a warmth.

This is a delightful, well-written short story about a young girl's dreams and how reality sets in, bringing with it that bittersweet fact of life. The adventures she has are a fun read. They're adventures we can all relate to to one degree or another. This is a story all girls (of any age) will enjoy.

-- Susanna K. Hutcheson

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Okay, but not her greatest June 5, 2011

By Amanda

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I normally love Plum, but this seemed to be a bit all over the place. It was the first Kindle Single I had read, and the only one at this point. However, it was not as enthralling as her novels. It didn't provide me much insight into her or her life or how she creates her quirky characters. It was a bit disappointing.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Short AND obnoxious July 28, 2012

By Emily Joy

Format:Kindle Edition

This short, autobiographical read was a complete disappointment. I've enjoyed both of Ms. Sykes's other books as extreme guilty pleasures, but this was simply a waste of my time. Ms. Sykes brags about how beautiful and cool she was in her Oxford years, but in reality she is only conveying her selfishness. Upset about her parents' divorce... because she thought it would make her look bad. Wouldn't talk to girls who weren't popular... because she thought it would make her look bad. Spent more time partying than studying. Ms. Sykes absolutely exposed herself as a complete social climber in this book. As a best-selling author, it looks like she has finally gained the popularity, fame, and wealth that she desired while at Oxford.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Uncomplete Ending October 21, 2012

By missmay

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I thought that the book was decent, but that the ending was incomplete. I felt like it just 'ended' or I was missing some chapeters or that my Kindle didn't finish the download. It's written well, but I much prefer her other books

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Plum Sykes fan, great read, but "amputated" ending. September 17, 2011

By Sandra E Ritchie

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I am a great fan of Plum Sykes' fun romps through the lives of glamorous social girls and so, naturally, I was excited to hear of a new Plum story. Oxford Girl reads much as her previous books, so I loved it, was reading along happily, and *CHOP!* it ended! I was surprised and disappointed that it was over. The Kindle Singles are shorter, but this really felt truncated. Maybe Ms. Sykes will soon finish the story and publish it as another of her delightful full-length novels! Here's hoping.

5.0 out of 5 stars A Highball Please, With a Dash of Introspection January 31, 2013

By propertius

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is a truly delighful reminiscence of a young girl entering the college and more importantly the world of her dreams. No, this is not "A Seperate Peace" or "Catcher In The Rye," nor does it pretend to be. Thankfully, it lacks the pretentiousness and solemnity of those tomes. Think of it as a flyer for "Zuleika Dobson, or an Oxford Love Story" and not "Brideshead Revisited."

Its charm is in its spontaniety and youthful naivete and paradoxically some gentle sophisticated self-analysis. Too short, no, it is what it is. A brief sojourn to the memories of innocence that the youth have when seeking what they think are their dreams.

I feel that this book may have been written in a few weeks? days? and that Ms. Plum has novel in her about women in present day Oxford - if Max Beerbohm hovers over her. A little fun and a little insightful commentary.

I did find amusing the small details she includes, such as "pigeon mail". Also I was releaved to find that the Oxford male undergraduate is as sophomoric and clumsy as his American counterpart vis a vis dealing with co-eds (if they are still called that).

3.0 out of 5 stars Two and a half if I could. December 31, 2012

By Stephany

Format:Kindle Edition

Plum Sykes is by far my favourite author. She's always so witty and word things with such ease, but this was not by far her best work. I feel her articles in Vogue have more umph than this. It was a cute story though, I suppose. Personally the ending was too short and abrupt for my liking. I say borrow it from the kindle library, I'm not sure if it's worth the $1.99.

3.0 out of 5 stars VERY Short November 23, 2012

By DI Booklover

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I knew this was going to be a quick read, but not much there there.
I've enjoyed her books (do read them!), but this seemed to be tossed off quickly and
much too precious.

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