Andreas Ammer's Portrait of an Oyster is pure pleasure--an immersion in the science, art, philosophy, history, and gastronomy of a deceptively simple creature, the oyster. The oyster is no stranger to study; M.F.K. Fisher's classic Consider the Oyster probed facets of its importance. What sets Ammer's work apart is its sheer scope and the wealth of visual materials he includes. Falk Nordmann provides exquisite illustrations alongside facsimiles of paintings (for example, Édouard Manet's Luncheon in the Studio), photographs, detailed diagrams, and other historical artworks, even including a set of French collectible cards that pose the question, "What is an oyster?"
The many images complement the narrative, which explores the oyster's biology, evolution, and role in coastal ecosystems, in addition to its cultural significance. Portrait of an Oyster gracefully navigates the microscopic intricacies of oyster anatomy and the grander narratives of oyster cultivation and global trade, as well as the periods of individual indigenous oyster extinction and the expansion of non-native species.
It's all shared via elegant, engaging writing translated from the German by Renée von Paschen. Ammer's work is a delight to read for seasoned naturalists and for those with a less persistent fascination with the oyster. Consider this passage, in which Ammer pithily describes the Pacific oyster: "They might be called 'gender-fluid' in the terminology of the contemporary LGBTQ+ community. The scientific term is 'sequential hermaphroditism.' "
Portrait of an Oyster is a beautifully crafted tribute to a remarkable creature and a testament to the power of natural history writing to reveal and revel in the hidden wonders of the world. --Elizabeth DeNoma, executive editor, DeNoma Literary Services, Seattle, WA