A review by gingervandorsten
Het parfum: De geschiedenis van een moordenaar by Patrick Süskind

adventurous challenging dark tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

I have rarely read a book as weird and gross and generally unpleasant as this one, but I also think this book is so, so good. The writing, the descriptions, the tension, the ingenuity of everything in here is striking and so impressive.
And then
he murders a dog. And then there's a detailed description of a young girl's breasts. And then there's a father borderline lusting over his daughter. And then there's a huge orgy.
And I think I understand the reason that Süskind put in these things, made these choices; they clearly have the desired effect of making the reader uncomfortable, and showcasing just how f-ed up Grenouille really is, but some of this was a little too messed up to me to be pleasantly disturbing in the way that horror can be, you know?
Regardless - I don't think you should avoid this book because of the amount of disturbing things that happen in it, because if you appreciate the weirdness (to an extent) it's honestly a really masterful tale of hubris and humanity and gross and beautiful olfactory imagery. And the last line. Good lord.

Side note: it's very amusing to me that most people who read this book seem to consider it with a kind of "What in the actual fuck is going on here this is sick"-view but also see it as one of the best books out there. Mainly because I agree. I guess Süskind enamoured us with this gross little book through the perfume of his gorgeous, ironic and self-aware prose. 

Also, the Dutch translation by Ronald Jonkers is very good! 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings