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A review by okiecozyreader
The Perfumist of Paris by Alka Joshi
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
This is the 3rd book in the Henna Artist series, the Jaipur Trilogy. I liked this one almost as much as the first. It is the story of Lakshmi’s younger sister, Radha. In the first book, she became pregnant young and was sent off to Paris. Her baby was given to one of Lakshmi’s friends to raise.
In this book, she has been living in Paris and is a mother of two daughters. She works as a Perfumist, helping to create scents. She is put in charge of developing one for a piece of art, Olympia, 1863 by Edouard Manet. While working on this scent, some of her things mysteriously change. She also is given some freedom to develop the scent, and she goes on a journey which also helps her find herself.
I liked how the story of the perfume merged with her past in several ways. Alka Joshi definitely has a beautiful way of telling a story.
“The measure of us isn’t in the day-to-day. And it’s not in our past or our future. It’s in the fundamental changes we make within ourselves over a lifetime.“ part 2, 52%
“We can’t go back and change anything, beti. But think of what the past has taught you. What it’s taught me is that keeping secrets has a cost.“ part 3, 63%
“I mix my Olympia formula again. I sniff the blotter. It’s her. The goddess of the divan herself. Proud. Wounded. But not defeated. … I realize Olympia is also me, isn’t she? I’ve given my best, but I’ve been used.“ part 3, 75%
“This is a woman betrayed. She doesn’t want revenge. She wants merely for her pain to be witnessed, noted.“ part 3, 78%
In this book, she has been living in Paris and is a mother of two daughters. She works as a Perfumist, helping to create scents. She is put in charge of developing one for a piece of art, Olympia, 1863 by Edouard Manet. While working on this scent, some of her things mysteriously change. She also is given some freedom to develop the scent, and she goes on a journey which also helps her find herself.
I liked how the story of the perfume merged with her past in several ways. Alka Joshi definitely has a beautiful way of telling a story.
“The measure of us isn’t in the day-to-day. And it’s not in our past or our future. It’s in the fundamental changes we make within ourselves over a lifetime.“ part 2, 52%
“We can’t go back and change anything, beti. But think of what the past has taught you. What it’s taught me is that keeping secrets has a cost.“ part 3, 63%
“I mix my Olympia formula again. I sniff the blotter. It’s her. The goddess of the divan herself. Proud. Wounded. But not defeated. … I realize Olympia is also me, isn’t she? I’ve given my best, but I’ve been used.“ part 3, 75%
“This is a woman betrayed. She doesn’t want revenge. She wants merely for her pain to be witnessed, noted.“ part 3, 78%
Content Warnings
Minor: Infidelity