Scan barcode
lenabump's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cannibalism and Murder
sotiny's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Murder
kathfoxh's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Suicide and Cannibalism
satanstan's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I interpret this book as a fictional and symbolic case study of sociopathy. I didn’t have many expectations going into this but was surprised that it leaned more toward the Horror genre than anything else. There are definitely moments that disturbed me. The unique writing grew on me and I just kept coming back to this strange story. I can only imagine recommending this book to perfume enthusiasts or people who are fascinated by the development and inner world of sociopaths.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Minor: Incest and Pedophilia
mme_carton's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Gore, Incest, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Kidnapping, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
jennyspencer's review against another edition
challenging
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Cannibalism, and Murder
Minor: Animal cruelty, Gore, Incest, Pedophilia, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Stalking, and Abandonment
caroline2's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.25
Really dark and disturbing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Gore, Rape, Sexual violence, Violence, Stalking, and Murder
onceupon_longago's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Rating this book is difficult. I despised the main character and the ending, and the whole story is rather disturbing. But it’s also very well written, and I found the descriptions of scents and perfumery really interesting.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pedophilia, Suicide, Cannibalism, and Murder
Minor: Animal cruelty and Animal death
robinainthood's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
God, this was brilliant. I've fallen in utter Love with Süskind's writing style and, as I read, couldn't shake the feeling that it was written exactly to my taste. And what a ride it was! It's one of those I wish I could experience for the first time, again...
I struggled at first with describing this book and why I adore it so much. I'd seen it categorized as a horror novel on many occasions, and while the book certainly does have elements of horrific morbidity, I wouldn't call it a bonafide horror (especially when recommending it, because that title is misleading). It's also not really a fantasy either, nor a mystery, nor is it merely historical fiction.
Then it hit me. If this book is anything, it's a philosophical exploration of a strange young man's obsession with scent in pursuit of self; it's a character study.
Anyone who knows anything about me knows that character studies are my bread and butter, so I was bound to love this novel. If you go into Perfume expecting graphic depictions of murder from beginning to end, a cat-and-mouse chase to uncover and apprehend a murderer, or endless descriptions of a sick man's twisted thoughts, you're setting yourself up for disappointment. Instead, understand that this is about obsession, identity, desire, indulgence, morbid curiosity, humanity; but understand it's about all of these in small, understated doses.
Understand, above all, that it's about Jean-Baptiste Grenouille and scent. Only then can you begin to appreciate the lyrical genius taking place within these odd 260 pages.
This won't be for everyone; some will find it offputting or dull, and that's fair enough, but those whose taste is acquired to what Perfume has to offer will soak it up until they've had too much, and will still want more and more until they're sick with it. Read it, and discover precisely what that's like.
I struggled at first with describing this book and why I adore it so much. I'd seen it categorized as a horror novel on many occasions, and while the book certainly does have elements of horrific morbidity, I wouldn't call it a bonafide horror (especially when recommending it, because that title is misleading). It's also not really a fantasy either, nor a mystery, nor is it merely historical fiction.
Then it hit me. If this book is anything, it's a philosophical exploration of a strange young man's obsession with scent in pursuit of self; it's a character study.
Anyone who knows anything about me knows that character studies are my bread and butter, so I was bound to love this novel. If you go into Perfume expecting graphic depictions of murder from beginning to end, a cat-and-mouse chase to uncover and apprehend a murderer, or endless descriptions of a sick man's twisted thoughts, you're setting yourself up for disappointment. Instead, understand that this is about obsession, identity, desire, indulgence, morbid curiosity, humanity; but understand it's about all of these in small, understated doses.
Understand, above all, that it's about Jean-Baptiste Grenouille and scent. Only then can you begin to appreciate the lyrical genius taking place within these odd 260 pages.
This won't be for everyone; some will find it offputting or dull, and that's fair enough, but those whose taste is acquired to what Perfume has to offer will soak it up until they've had too much, and will still want more and more until they're sick with it. Read it, and discover precisely what that's like.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Cannibalism, Stalking, and Murder
resi1's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder