Reviews

Virology: Essays for the Living, the Dead, and the Small Things in Between by Joseph Osmundson

lyriclorelei's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

4.0

I felt like some of these could've been more cohesive, but I especially loved the use of actual audio recordings made from 2020 used in the On Activism and the Archives essay in the audiobook.

annirox16's review against another edition

could not get into it. cool concept, a bit too technical, maybe will come back to

reneethebookbird's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative reflective

3.75

cdbennett1998's review against another edition

challenging informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

nbicks's review against another edition

hopeful informative inspiring medium-paced

4.5

cinnamonpizza8's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative tense slow-paced

5.0

I really enjoyed reading and reflecting on this book. As a burgeoning scientist/virologist, I think it beautifully captured how science can serve humanity when fought for, how science can be disconnected when there isn't someone connecting it to who it will benefit. I love how the author discusses living with viruses, how culture is influenced by viruses, how humanity is shaped by these little things. I felt like I gained a deeper understanding of how the HIV crisis played out in the United States, how it still impacts us, and how it compares with the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, a fantastic, inspiring, thought-provoking book.

mj_reading's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

A beautiful, well-written collection of essays that tackle a number of intersectional topics as they relate to viruses and queerness. A fascinating read and I highly recommend. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: War, Death, and Homophobia

mad_taylh's review against another edition

challenging informative reflective medium-paced

4.25

"We could invest in saving lives in the same way we currently do in 'national defense.' We could reimagine national defense not as something to defend our borders or our national body, but as a way to insist on the longest and best life for everyone in our nation. Not war, but care."

znguyen's review against another edition

emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

3.75

camilleberedjick's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful informative medium-paced

5.0