Rating: 
Summary: Interesting idea, poor execution
Review: I read this silly book on the recommendation of a friend that proclaimed it was the most brilliant book he's ever read. I guess he hasn't read that many truly brilliant books. (We both agree on Henry Miller, though.) While the basic premise of this book is intriguing, the plot was heavy-handed and contrived. The gory details seemed to be over-exaggerated and superfluous in order to create an effect, and it ended becoming just a cartoonish, feeble, awkward mess. I'm not going to blame it on the translation, as two of my favorite writers are French and I devoured the English translations...if you want sensual, delicate, brilliant soul-satisfying reads by French writers, PLEASE read Honore Balzac's "Old Goriot" or Colette's "My Mother's House".
Rating: 
Summary: a mouth still gaping 2 years later
Review: FEVER OF BRILLIANCE
the ending rocked my armadillo.
Rating:
Summary: Perfume
Review: I highly recommend this book. A friend in France sent me a copy of it as a birthday present years ago, and I have read it several times since. The story, about a man who ultimately murders young virgins to obtain the perfect scent, may initially turn off some people. But the writing is so impeccable, the 18th century world so hauntingly evoked that you may find yourself, like me, totally engrossed after the first few pages. It is also a fascinating look into the manufacturing of perfume, how precious essential oils are extracted from plants. The only thing I didn't care for much was the ending - a bit too gruesome.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointed
Review: Granted the language was lovely, the anticipation great but the climax was so very disappointing. I kept waiting for the brilliance to culminate in a brilliant finale but instead it was so painful to follow the exaggerated effort to the final page.
Rating:
Summary: What's worse . . .?
Review: The flimsy, abusurdist plot? The inconsistent, underdeveloped characters? The erudite descriptions? What a disaster! The only way I got through to the finish is that I would be too embarrassed to show up at book club otherwise. Don't waste your time or money--read a thesaurus instead.
Rating:
Summary: che novella e' beuno beuno
Review: There are not enough positive adjectives in the english language to praise this book to the extent it deserves....[This] is clearly the greatest novel of our time.
Rating: 
Summary: Terrible Title, Wonderful Book
Review: I read this book a few years ago. It's a wonderful book. Intelligent, sensual, clever. Magical. I've recommended it to many friends, all of whom loved it.
Rating:
Summary: sensual, creative and brilliant
Review: "Perfume" is a creative, well-written, erudite and sensual work of literature. The author demonstrates a dark sardonic sense of humor that I really enjoyed. I found the character of the main protagonist, Grenouille, to be absolutely fascinating, and was captivated by the story. I'm looking forward to reading more of Patrick Suskind's work.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent resource for exploring one's senses!
Review: This book presents an incredible new world perceived through the sense of smell. The author must have done a hefty research in perfumery as well as in psychology of one-sense dominant people. I enjoyed reading every word of it.
Rating:
Summary: Kudos
Review: Let's not forget to note the accomplishment of the translator, John E. Woods, who made for those of us, who were not able to read the story in its original language, a very effective and easy read. He chose the best possible words to describe what the author wanted us to know.
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