leannaaker's review against another edition
2.0
Love the first few in the series, and this one just did not capture me. Not sure if the series is too formulaic and getting boring, or something else.
lau_lau_maria's review against another edition
2.0
"O lama Yeshe, com o qual Robbie estudava o budismo, dissera certa vez que a autoconfiança não era um sentimento de superioridade, mas de independência."
A minha autoconfiança foi-se embora quando uma das primeiras personagens que nos é apresentada consegue diferenciar mais de 400 cheiros e eu, nem distinguir salsa de coentros consigo.
Demorei a encarrilar na história devido à quantidade de personagens, espaços físicos e temporais e sobretudo à temática mística e religiosa. A autora apresenta uma obra fictícia com uma quantidade de factos - entre os quais as crenças e rituais tibetanos, nomeadamente a reencarnação.
"-É um mito. Você é que me ensinou que os mitos são o sonho coletivo de uma cultura. Pequenas histórias acerca de uma cultura. Pequenas histórias acerca de indivíduos que, de entre as milhares contadas, foram as que melhor se coadunaram com a maioria das pessoas devido aos padrões existentes no nosso inconsciente colectivo. À medida que as histórias são transmitidas, mudam, crescem, tornam-se mais extravagantes e mágicas.(...)
-Tanto o Robbie como o Griffin me avisaram de que seria difícil convencer-te. Disse-lhes que estavam errados; que tinhas um espírito mais aberto. Pelos vistos, estava enganado.
(...)
-Eu sou uma eterna cética."
Excluindo o meu ceticismo religioso, a minha mentalidade ocidental rígida e o meu nariz não ser comparável com o de Cleópatra, a história em si também não me cativou. Quando finalmente as histórias dos diferentes personagens é explicada, quando os seus caminhos se cruzam e temos acção, o livro termina. Cito abaixo um excerto do próprio livro:
"-Tudo o que sei é tirado de filmes que vejo em viagens de avião e de livros que leio quando estou numa escavação. Tenciono sempre ler os romances que recebem críticas no New York Times, mas não consigo evitá-lo; não resisto a thrillers cheios de ação. Se os meus autores preferidos fizerem bem a sua pesquisa, estamos safos. Se não... bom..."
A minha autoconfiança foi-se embora quando uma das primeiras personagens que nos é apresentada consegue diferenciar mais de 400 cheiros e eu, nem distinguir salsa de coentros consigo.
Demorei a encarrilar na história devido à quantidade de personagens, espaços físicos e temporais e sobretudo à temática mística e religiosa. A autora apresenta uma obra fictícia com uma quantidade de factos - entre os quais as crenças e rituais tibetanos, nomeadamente a reencarnação.
"-É um mito. Você é que me ensinou que os mitos são o sonho coletivo de uma cultura. Pequenas histórias acerca de uma cultura. Pequenas histórias acerca de indivíduos que, de entre as milhares contadas, foram as que melhor se coadunaram com a maioria das pessoas devido aos padrões existentes no nosso inconsciente colectivo. À medida que as histórias são transmitidas, mudam, crescem, tornam-se mais extravagantes e mágicas.(...)
-Tanto o Robbie como o Griffin me avisaram de que seria difícil convencer-te. Disse-lhes que estavam errados; que tinhas um espírito mais aberto. Pelos vistos, estava enganado.
(...)
-Eu sou uma eterna cética."
Excluindo o meu ceticismo religioso, a minha mentalidade ocidental rígida e o meu nariz não ser comparável com o de Cleópatra, a história em si também não me cativou. Quando finalmente as histórias dos diferentes personagens é explicada, quando os seus caminhos se cruzam e temos acção, o livro termina. Cito abaixo um excerto do próprio livro:
"-Tudo o que sei é tirado de filmes que vejo em viagens de avião e de livros que leio quando estou numa escavação. Tenciono sempre ler os romances que recebem críticas no New York Times, mas não consigo evitá-lo; não resisto a thrillers cheios de ação. Se os meus autores preferidos fizerem bem a sua pesquisa, estamos safos. Se não... bom..."
cook_memorial_public_library's review against another edition
4.0
This book has it all: romance, suspense, lush settings in China, Paris and ancient Egypt, and a hefty dose of the supernatural. It also contains well-researched information about the history and craft of perfume, which adds an unusual and interesting dimension to the book. An enjoyable page-turner.
Recommended by Andrea
Check our catalog: http://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search/C__Sbook%20of%20lost%20fragrances%20rose__Orightresult__U1?lang=eng&suite=pearl
Recommended by Andrea
Check our catalog: http://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search/C__Sbook%20of%20lost%20fragrances%20rose__Orightresult__U1?lang=eng&suite=pearl
hldavids's review against another edition
3.0
The House of L'Etoile is in financial ruins. Jac has decided the best course of action is two sell their two flagship fragrances. Her brother Robbie believes instead that they can recreate the mythological memory fragrance instead. Then Robbie goes missing and is accused of murder. Jac comes back to France to find Robbie and her visions return. Perhaps the memory fragrance is more than just myth?
I was impressed with the variety of history and information woven throughout the tale, unfortunately I simply did not connect with the characters. Probably the librarian in me, but plagiarizing my dissertation in yours is an unforgivable sin - even for a fated true love.
This review was written from a copy received as a Goodreads first reads giveaway.
I was impressed with the variety of history and information woven throughout the tale, unfortunately I simply did not connect with the characters. Probably the librarian in me, but plagiarizing my dissertation in yours is an unforgivable sin - even for a fated true love.
This review was written from a copy received as a Goodreads first reads giveaway.
klherring's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoy reading M. J. Rose. I'm not much on suspense novels, but her works have so much history, philosophy, etc that I can overlook the adventure aspects that are less exciting to me. The story lines are a background for me and I enjoy the experience of learning something new. I remember being fairly transported in the first three novels in this series. I was very excited by the prospect of revisiting reincarnation again, especially through the lens of varying perspectives (Buddhist, Chinese government, again Egyptian...)This novel really fell short there. I did enjoy learning a little about the world of fragrances, but again felt that Rose left out a lot. I enjoy her great detail to such studies and felt that I didn't learn nearly as much as I would have liked. The plot was okay, about par with the others. I found myself pretty bored throughout this book and actually had a hard time committing myself to finishing it. It's a low 3 star rating for me. I'll continue to read this author's work, but this wasn't her strongest effort in my opinion.
truebookaddict's review against another edition
4.0
Once again, I am fascinated and impressed with Rose's knowledge of reincarnation. By now, everyone knows about my interest and belief in the subject and I truly never tire of reading about it, whether it be in a fictional context or in non-fiction (although some may argue that it's all fictional). What I like about Rose's portrayal of the subject is her incorporation of it with history, as well as the current events of the day.
In this book, the fourth installment in The Reincarnationist series, we are treated to ancient Egypt, another subject of endless fascination for me, and the culture's use of fragrance as a link to past lives, particularly during the Ptolemaic period. From there, we are whisked forward to present day China and the endless struggle between Tibet and the Chinese government to control the reincarnation of the next Dalai Lama. As usual, there is mystery and intrigue, which adds a suspenseful element to the story. For me though, the historical aspects of the story are sufficient to keep my interest. Add in a bit of alchemy, and you have a well-rounded and interesting story of history, science, and mysticism.
The beauty of this series is that you really can read the books without having read the earlier books. I still have not read the first and second books in the series (although they are on my shelf), but I had no problem reading the third, The Hypnotist, and the fourth (this one) books as stand alone novels. Rose is a talented author, with a gift for writing about a subject of which she is clearly passionate. I sincerely look forward to any and all future offerings from her, whether it be more books in this series, or a new set of books down the road.
In this book, the fourth installment in The Reincarnationist series, we are treated to ancient Egypt, another subject of endless fascination for me, and the culture's use of fragrance as a link to past lives, particularly during the Ptolemaic period. From there, we are whisked forward to present day China and the endless struggle between Tibet and the Chinese government to control the reincarnation of the next Dalai Lama. As usual, there is mystery and intrigue, which adds a suspenseful element to the story. For me though, the historical aspects of the story are sufficient to keep my interest. Add in a bit of alchemy, and you have a well-rounded and interesting story of history, science, and mysticism.
The beauty of this series is that you really can read the books without having read the earlier books. I still have not read the first and second books in the series (although they are on my shelf), but I had no problem reading the third, The Hypnotist, and the fourth (this one) books as stand alone novels. Rose is a talented author, with a gift for writing about a subject of which she is clearly passionate. I sincerely look forward to any and all future offerings from her, whether it be more books in this series, or a new set of books down the road.
lazygal's review against another edition
2.0
This had such promise - but too much going on for that promise to really be fulfilled. There's the concept of Jungian archetypes, past-life regression, scent as aide memoire, Tibetan freedom, Chinese triads, former loves, Cleopatra's perfume factory, Napoleon in Egypt... and I'm sure I've left stuff out.
If the author had simply concentrated on Jac and Robbie's world, perhaps with more about the history of perfumes, it would have been interesting. Even the addition of Malachai Samuel's search (and possible theft) of the memory objects would have been great. But as it was, with three major strands trying to come together? Too much. Which is really too bad because I was trying so hard to really like this book (part of it is set in the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, and most is in Paris; plus the Jungian connection).
ARC provided by publisher.
If the author had simply concentrated on Jac and Robbie's world, perhaps with more about the history of perfumes, it would have been interesting. Even the addition of Malachai Samuel's search (and possible theft) of the memory objects would have been great. But as it was, with three major strands trying to come together? Too much. Which is really too bad because I was trying so hard to really like this book (part of it is set in the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, and most is in Paris; plus the Jungian connection).
ARC provided by publisher.
lizjane's review against another edition
3.0
This novel is described some places as a thriller. I wouldn't way it is very thrilling at all, but it is a good enough story about a family in the perfume business who may or may not have found a perfume that stands the test of time. Seriously, thousands of years later BFFs may be able to find each other through scent. Maybe.....
luckyliza13's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting & well paced; loved author's research. Now I want new perfume!!