Virology

Starred review from May 9, 2022
Microbiologist Osmundson (Capsid) probes the relationship between humans and viruses in this superb essay collection. “On Replication” reminds that, while “there are 250 million viruses in every 0.001 liter of ocean water,” they can’t replicate on their own. In “On War,” Osmundson questions the use of martial rhetoric to describe outbreaks: “Wars are won through mass death. A virus will never be dominated,” he suggests, recommending an approach to quarantine and social distancing that’s based on care and community. “On Going Viral” is a sharp look at “viral” content online, in which Osmundson makes a case that “most viruses do nothing. How boring, how painfully banal.” “On Endings” is a moving reflection on the HIV epidemic, in which Osmundson considers how “queer people provide a model... for living rightly in a wrong world.” Indeed, throughout, he cannily interweaves queer theory and science: “Queer childhood is waiting for the possibility to be—to make—one’s full self. Quarantine is putting the full possibility of social relations—one way to make oneself with others—on hold out of respect for the desire of living beings to keep on living,” he writes in “On Risk.” Original and bubbling with curiosity, this is a masterful achievement.

December 1, 2022

In his second book, Osmundson (microbiology, New York Univ.; Inside/Out) pulls from his PhD in microbiology and his life growing up queer in the United States to publish a series of essays on viruses, HIV, COVID, lockdowns, being gay, and the dangers of racialized whiteness. In short, he offers a series of essays on love, good food, and life. Narrating his own book, Osmundson voices his meandering thoughts during the lockdown as only he could, effectively communicating excitement, enthusiasm, and despair. His narration is so affecting that after hearing some of his more painful essays, listeners may find themselves wanting to reach out and see if he is okay. Osmundson explains viruses to readers, making this potentially dry and academic topic understandable and even enjoyable. He goes on to chronicle his fears and frustrations as the pandemic unfolded, drawing parallels between the COVID pandemic and the HIV epidemic, as well as the emotional fallout from each. VERDICT Osmundson brings passion and emotion into these thoughtful and insightful essays while presenting citable facts to back up his point of view. This is one biology lesson readers won't want to skip.--Laura Trombley

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