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A review by bookishevy
Perfume: The Story of a Murderer by Patrick Süskind
dark
funny
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-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
4.25
I added this book to my TBR when I learned that it was one of Kurt Cobain's favorite reads. When I saw that it was included in my Audible, I downloaded it immediately and was introduced to my most-hated character yet.
Jean-Baptiste Grenouille is born in the slums of 18th-century France with a superhuman sense of smell. As a boy, he lives for the odors of Paris. He apprentices himself to prominent perfumer Baldini, who teaches him how to mix precious herbs and oils. The first chapter of the book focuses on how everyone stinks in France during this time, so perfume sales are at an all-time high. He makes Baldini a lot of money.
But that's not enough for Grenouille. He wants to capture the smells of everyday objects. His obsession graduates to wanting to create the "ultimate perfume"—the scent of a beautiful young virgin.
I added this to my list of creepy reads because Grenouille heebied TF outta my jeebies. He's a hateful, little man, capable of doing depraved things as he seeks to preserve the virgins' odors in a bottle. Odors that inspire love, something his repulsive self has never felt. He experiments with animals before going on a killing spree to maintain these young women's scents.
My biggest concern was that Grenouille would get away with it. Hell, he doesn't even want to get away with it. He's sick of people. He welcomes death. But one must never underestimate the power of a good scent. It could make you do things you wouldn't normally do. Like, have an orgy in the town square 🥴
I wanted Grenouille to hang, but the ending was far more poetic.
Nigel Patterson's voice was made for narration. So crisp. 🤌🏾
I recommend this disturbing read to anyone interested in the origins of serial killers and can appreciate how scents transport us.
Jean-Baptiste Grenouille is born in the slums of 18th-century France with a superhuman sense of smell. As a boy, he lives for the odors of Paris. He apprentices himself to prominent perfumer Baldini, who teaches him how to mix precious herbs and oils. The first chapter of the book focuses on how everyone stinks in France during this time, so perfume sales are at an all-time high. He makes Baldini a lot of money.
But that's not enough for Grenouille. He wants to capture the smells of everyday objects. His obsession graduates to wanting to create the "ultimate perfume"—the scent of a beautiful young virgin.
I added this to my list of creepy reads because Grenouille heebied TF outta my jeebies. He's a hateful, little man, capable of doing depraved things as he seeks to preserve the virgins' odors in a bottle. Odors that inspire love, something his repulsive self has never felt. He experiments with animals before going on a killing spree to maintain these young women's scents.
My biggest concern was that Grenouille would get away with it. Hell, he doesn't even want to get away with it. He's sick of people. He welcomes death. But one must never underestimate the power of a good scent. It could make you do things you wouldn't normally do. Like, have an orgy in the town square 🥴
I wanted Grenouille to hang, but the ending was far more poetic.
Nigel Patterson's voice was made for narration. So crisp. 🤌🏾
I recommend this disturbing read to anyone interested in the origins of serial killers and can appreciate how scents transport us.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Violence, Cannibalism, and Murder