A groundbreaking, witty, and eloquent exploration of slime that will leave you appreciating the nebulous and neglected sticky stuff that covers our world, inside and out.
Slime. The very word seems to ooze oily menace, conjuring up a variety of unpleasant associations: mucous, toxins, reptiles, pollutants, and other unsavory viscous semi-liquid substances. Yet without slime, the natural world would be completely unrecognizable; in fact, life itself as we know it would be impossible
In this deft and fascinating book, journalist Susanne Wedlich takes us on a tour of all things slimy, from the most unctuous of science fiction monsters to the biochemical compounds that are the very building blocks of life. Along the way she shows us what slime really means, and why slime is not something to fear, but rather something to ... embrace.
Susanne Wedlich studied biology and political science in Munich and has worked as a writer in Boston and Singapore. She is currently a freelance science journalist for Der Spiegel, National Geographic and Spektrum der Wissenschaft. She lives in Munich.
Ayca Turkoglu is a literary translator from German and Turkish. She lives in North London.
A Millions Most Anticipated Book of 2023!
"Wedlich intends to change the perception of slime from something that disgusts to something that fascinates...We hear about snails that surf their own mucus for forward propulsion, digestive secretions that help defend our bodies through a mucosal immunity, and bioadhesives that create “marine snow,” a continuous shower of organic rain that delivers energy to the deep ocean. Wedlich’s knack for unfolding these natural histories makes her book ooze with charm." -- The Scientific American
"A slick dive into the 'secret world' of slime ... Wedlich’s unique angle makes for fascinating revelations infused with fun. Pop science fans will have a hard time putting this down." —Publishers Weekly
"Slime is Susanne Wedlich's lively scientific study that underscores the importance of the slimy life forms and inert viscous interfaces that enervate the biosphere...a meditative and rewarding work..." -- Foreword Reviews
"Oozing with fascinating facts, this natural history will leave readers with a new appreciation for and a deeper understanding of slime." -- Booklist
