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Summary: I've read it 6 times and I still love it....
Review: Born in a century of stench, an unusual child with the gift to define scents grows up to be the greatest collector of these prizes. At all costs, his main goal is to prefect a perfume that will make the world fall to feet, even if the secret ingredient can only be found in his victims..... It's a well detailed novel, with a enough gore and twisted scenes to keep my friends and I (all of us are in high school) talking about it for weeks, and we all loved the ending which DID NOT come to a disappointing end, I might add.
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Summary: Read the first two pages.
Review: If the first two pages don't get you, put the book back on the shelf. It starts off running and picks up speed. If you never had an interest in perfume, which I didn't, you will now. Don't even try to anticpate what will happen next. You won't. You can bet your nose on it
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Summary: Your nose will never be the same
Review: Do you ever stop to smell the rain, musty and green, as it falls on a spring day? Do you revel in the warm musky scent of your lover's hair? Do you, with a furrowed brow, plug your nose when you pass a garbage truck as it rumbles down a suburban road? If not, read this book. And, like a flower, a new sensuality will open to you. What was once a dry account of 18th century France in your old high school book has come alive. Seize it. And inhale
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Summary: Your sensory perception will be transformed.
Review: You can actually feel new neural connections forming in your own brain as the pages (quickly) turn. Travelling along with the main character, the reader's experience of the plot is not limited to sight and sound, but is significantly expanded through the introduction of humankind's arguably least-developed, though highly versatile, sense: smell. This book is just as useful in its capacity as a memory-identification, life-enhancing manual. One warning: don't make the mistake, as I did, of reading it in the New York City subway. One hint: if possible, find the original German version
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Summary: "Gripping" is an over used word but it surely applies here
Review: One sees words such as 'gripping' and 'spellbinding' tossed around in reviews so frequently that they seem to have the validity of 'super' and 'star' when applied to humans. Thisbook however is both gripping and spellbinding and a super star. The unique premise, fine characterization, and well toldstory hold the reader's attention. It's the kind of bookthat makes you think of 'calling in sick' so you can finish it.A first rate read
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Summary: A thriller woven around scent.
Review: Maybe one of the most innovative books that I have read in the last few years. Suskind explores the place of scent in general within society and in particular with one that become murderously obsessed by it. Perfume calls to question our sense of smell and the enormous influence it has over all of humanity. A gripping page turner and unique thriller that you will not be able to put down
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Summary: This work is genius.
Review: The true power of scent is revealed is this dark and pungent tale of creation and destruction. From beginning to end the reader will be left with distinctly rich and lasting impressions of the story unfolding before him/her. Recommendation is a must; re-reading is highly recommended. I can only compare Suskind's writing style to that of Isabelle
Allende's careful attention to detail and sensual perception.
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Summary: Excellent and Imaginative! Couldn't put it down.
Review: A child is born in 18th(?) century paris with anuncommon gift of smell. His ultimate goal is to create t he ultimate scent. The olfactory writing style makes it almost possible to follow your nose through the book. Great characterisation, and very descriptive with a most unusual subject.
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Summary: Great Book, nevermind Lori Dee
Review: This is a book not quite like any other you've read. That alone makes it worth reading, but you'll also love the character development, the intriguing personalities, and some of the most interestingly depicted settings I've ever read.
However, this book didn't quite make the grade for one Ms. Lori Dee, who basically panned it in her spotlight review. Look closer, though: she gave five stars to Rosie O'Donnel's memoir. Hmm. Well, I guess this highly original novel isn't quite as gripping as, say, the thoughts of a daytime talk-show host. I guess the intimate psychoanalysis of a killer is somehow a little less interesting than what K-Mart's spokesperson had to say. Nothing about Suskind's beautiful prose can match the awesome talents of a woman who filled lulls in her broadcasts by flinging koosh balls at her audience. I guess if you're so deeply into daytime talk shows that you are compelled to give five stars to a host's memoir, this might not be the novel for you. Maybe you'd rather read Maury Povich's thoughts on life. Or Jerry Springer's.
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Summary: Why you should get this book
Review: There are some stories you just don't forget, even if you don't like them. This is one of those. It is not a happy fable, with a happy ending. It is disturbing and dark and very few of the characters are likable. But it will grab you and you will use it to measure other works. I've read it several times. It's not a "slasher" book, but one of deep horror, the more you think about it. If you do read this book, you probably would also like the early works of Harlan Ellison. And, if you like this one, see if you can find "The Last Lovers". Again, not a happy book, but an effective one. The mark of a good book to me - or an effective one - is how long it sticks in the memory. These are good books.
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