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Summary: A HAUNTING AND MESMERIZING TOUR DE FORCE
Review: In 18th century France, Jean-Baptiste Grenouille, born with no scent of his own, but with with a supernatural ability to detect the scent of others is driven to murder in order to create the perfect perfume. This extraordinarily original premise encompasses the most elegant, aristocratic and erotic novel I have ever read. Flawlessly written and drenched in irony, Perfume tells a haunting tale of a man reminiscent of the Phantom of the Opera, the Hunchback of Notre Dame, Beauty and the Beast (beast), and even Faust. Amd finally! A writer with enough talent to let us experience Grenouille's thoughts and emotions. Although, of course, identification with him is impossible, (Grenouille is the most chilling character in literature) I did manage to understand Grenouille's all-consuming passion, much to Suskind's credit. Suskind's prose is lush and evokative (the decadance of 18th century France simply comes alive) without spilling over into the purple prose of books like Violin or The English Patient. Perfume is a bizarre tale, but it is also lyrical and hypnotic--almost a fairy tale of terror. If you're looking for something different, something special, I highly recommend Perfume. The only other book I've found to equal it in originality is Jose Saramago's Blindness. Perfume, however, remains my alltime favorite.
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Summary: Original and fascinating
Review: A friend of mine recommended me this book, and I bought it as soon as I could. I wasn't dissapointed at all. I loved the idea that a whole book was centered around the sense of smell, which has such a big impact in our relationships with people, yet is so often overlooked; the author has reflected that in a flawlessly written novel, dripping with irony and sensuality. I can't wait until I'm able to read the book in its original language.
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Summary: Bestsmeller!
Review: This is not a cheap thriller, horror, sci-fi or romance pocket; it's an opulent fairy-tale that will take you to another level of existence and make you realize that there are more ways to describe the world and its people than words. I'm glad that someone took the time and space to scrutinize, reflect, respect and write about a supposed illiterate, unscented boy who is probably smarter, more talented, more charming and more humble than any diplomate or intellectual could ever wish for. As a reader with no social skills, this book could offer quite a bit of therapy and if you haven't read it yet, pick it up now and trust me, you won't put it down until you've read it twice.
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Summary: The audacious opening isn't sustained
Review: This is an original and enjoyable read, but most of the best writing is concentrated in the Parisian episodes. The book is entertaining from the first page to the last, but after the fall of the House of Baldini, the novel drifts in search of an ending. Many of the sub plots in the latter half seem like space fillers rather than a continuation of the brilliant opening chapters. Uneven, but funny, clever and highly recommended.
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Summary: PROPUESTO PARA EL NOBEL EN LITERATURA
Review: CREO QUE SUSKIND DEBE SER CANDIDATO AL PREMIO NOBEL EN LITERATURA. SU LIBRO ES CONSIDERADO UNO DE LOS MEJORES EN LA HISTORIA DE LA LITERATURA.MUCHOS CRITICOS EN EUROPA LO HAN CATALOGADO COMO EL GARCIA MARQUEZ DE ESE CONTINENTE.
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Summary: The smell of talent.
Review: What a great entry in the world of classic literature. Nowadays it is hard to write an original love story. Shakespeare did it all. However, there is more than love between man and woman. The Perfume is the proof. Patrick Suskind shows us the beatitude of or most unspoken fear: our smell. He created a man, Jean-Baptiste Grenouille, whose nose drove him to obsession and murder. Forever he will be a monster in the eyes of the reader. I wonder. Is passion not only for the good?
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Summary: Perfume By Patrick Suskind
Review: When I was thirteen a friend of the family Martin Grief lent my sister a book. My sister however is 9 years older than I and wouldn't let me read it. People had stopped me from watching shows on TV and reading magazines but had always told me that books were to be highly regarded. I was intrigued. So one day I saw the book lying around and took it to my room. It took me two days flat to read it. Have you noticed what a tremendous impact smell has on us? You could be walking down the street in Dublin and smell something that takes you back to your childhood or to the holiday you've just comeback from. Smell seems to have a direct link to our subconscious, we hardly notice it but without it our memories would be in turmoil. Patrick Suskind by writing a book based entirely around this sense has made reading into a new experience. He describes beauty, ugliness and the human condition from this original standpoint. By using a sense that effects us so deeply he is able tap into our emotions and pull us completely into his book. I was transported into a city of grime, disease, and lechery and into the mind of a murderer. After re-reading the book I feel like I know the main character Jean-Baptise Grenoullie intimately. I have smelled what he a has smelled and walked where he has walked. The only negative thing I have to say about this book is that I find the ending unconvincing and a little less believable than the rest of the plot. Please go out and read this book for a new perspective. But don't be surprised if while walking passed a dump or a dustbin in the summer heat you find yourself thinking about the pages you read in this book.
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Summary: Scent of a genius
Review: I first noticed the book in the hands of my best friend, in July 1996. I shall never forget that occasion - I virtually tore the book out of her hands and could not put it down. I do not know whether the landslide effect this novel worked on me is traceable to its ingenious style&story or to the warm midsummer days and nights (full of spicy fragrances) during which I've been reading it... Still, this is the case, I am a devoted fan of it ever since. Got it in German, French, Hungarian - plan to have it in English... Absolutely fascinating book. I have browsed through the reviews and found an overall impression similar to mine. It's great to see so many of you share my delight over this wonderful reading. My own parents find the book disgusting and kinky, others criticise other aspects. Let them have their points, I remain an admirer. So do you. So should you.
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Summary: Kurt Cobain Wrote A song about this Book
Review: I read this book because it was Kurts favorite book , he couldnt put it down, he wrote a song about the book called scentless apprentice , the lyrics are "Like most babies smell like butter his scent smelled like no other he was born scentless and scenceless he was born a scentless apprentice.....every wet nurse refused to feed him , electrolytes smell like semen , i promise not to sell your perfume secrets, there are countless formulas for pressing flowers.....i lie in soil and fertilize mushrooms, leaking out gas fumes made into perfume, you cant fire me because i quit , throw me in the fire so i wont have a fit" Great song , great book , i suggest you read if you are a Nirvana fan or if you just want to read a wonderful book. So Read It !
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Summary: SUBLIME
Review: El libro más que la historia de un individuo nos provee un retrato costumbrista de una época en que el mundo solía ser muy diferente a lo que conocemos. Increíblemente descriptivo. Les aseguro que después de leerlo jamás volverán a percibir los olores de igual manera.
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