Book Review: Perfume

Perfume by Patrick Suskind

I have just finished reading a masterpiece, or very close to one, I’m still bathing in the gloriously mischievous ending as I write this. I an author, one hoping to achieve greatness in magical realism, I have now been won over by another. I have found a peer.

Perfume is the story of a murder most sadistic and magnificent, at times I felt like I was watching Six Feet Under. In other moments I knew I was reading a poet at work, someone who instinctively knows how to string words as they create the allure of smell. Patrick Suskind has written Perfume with the utmost sensibility and understanding of pleasure, from words and of smell. He has crafted Jean-Baptiste Grenouille to be at the same time saint and mad man.

This novel creates just that, the sense of smell through words, its immaculately researched and true to turn of the century Paris, in all of it’s stink. Ultimately the story is about love and what turns a monster into a glorious criminal. It is about the human need for love, I couldn’t stop wondering about the path Grenouille was set upon and with such certainty accepted because he knew no other road to take. He reacted to the human need to demolish each other. The main character is, at the same time loveable and horrific. I felt immersed in the era, I was thankful for our current times of apparent “civility”.

I can go into much detail about the book itself, it’s rich with plot and memorable characters, yet I’m sure the guys over at Amazon have done better then I possibly could. I was simply addicted to this book and have instantly fallen in love with the author. I hope you can pick up a copy; the book will not let you go. I have dishes in the sink that are just now allowing themselves to be washed.

I found this book while poor on a Barnes and Noble table. I like to read when I’m impoverished. The novel was recommended by my most ardent editor, who assured me it’s a must read for someone “that writes the way you do.” So I’ve read it and I’m in love.

Get it from Amazon. I’m sure you’ll love it, even if you aren’t’ into the morbid subject matter of murder most foul, you’ll be blown away by the shear prowess of the author.

Comments

[eric a]

i think i heard they're making this into a movie.

[Karim Fanous]

Olfactory sensation, it's a sweet damnation! This book is simply brilliant. Never before have I been grasped so intensely by a book. Especially considering how bizarre and twisted the story and concept are. I have a terrible sense of smell and to read the literal embodiment of all these scents is an epiphany, a real mind bender.

Suskind frames the world in a way that many of us will not have experienced before, not with landscapes and visualisation, but with references to smells! Not only are his descriptions vivid and powerful, but his story telling is first rate. You will feel this as you find yourself surprised as you begin to sympathise and feel sorry for a man who is at the end of the day a spiteful, jealous murderer!

Brush all the high brow aside, and this book is simply a great read.

I am a singer-songwriter and this book is one of my most faithful companions. I have read it so many times and found myself meditating on the concepts and writing so often that it has inspired me to write a song - please please please check it out and let me know what you think!!!!! You can find the song and more trivia about the book at www.myspace.com/patricksuskindsperfume

[do pheromones work]

I agree that choosing the right perfume can be difficult because we need to considered intimate buying the wrong perfume because everyone interprets odors in their own way.

cletsey

[air yeezy]

No matter how gluttonous devouring all the time, we need to breathe at this time, and strive to win our reputation, the sickle of time can not hurt us. - William Shakespeare