Portrait of an Oyster

“A decadent horror story (for the oyster) narrated with awe and gusto, Andreas Ammer’s Portrait of an Oyster is must for all who find their joy on the half shell… Funny, thoughtful, and tastebud-piquing… a celebratory tribute to the “bewitching” mollusk that transforms dining experiences from ordinary to great.”—Foreword Reviews“An elegant and illuminating journey through the culture and history of the world’s best bivalve, Portrait of an Oyster gracefully joins the pantheon of essential works illuminating the oyster’s elusive charms.”—Rowan Jacobsen, author of A Geography of Oysters“Pleasingly unlike any other book in the genre, Portrait of An Oyster is a joyful, erudite romp through the history, biology, and symbolism of the world’s favorite bivalve. Ammer’s thoughtful and wry prose ranges from raunchy to morbid, sentimental to scientific with gorgeous results. This is an essential addition to any oyster-lover’s bookshelf.”—Karen Pinchin, author of Kings of Their Own Ocean

Andreas Ammer is a television producer, university lecturer, opera director, and the author of numerous award-winning radio plays in collaboration with different musicians. He lives in Munich.

Renee von Paschen, born in Canada, is a literary translator, conference interpreter, and bilingual poet. She has taught literary translation, as well as theater, film, and media, at several universities. She won a Cine Golden Eagle for best history documentary in 2008.