Summary Of Perfume The Story Of A Murderer
Introduction
Perfume: The Story of a Murderer is a 1985 novel by German author Patrick Süskind. The book was first published in Germany and has since been translated into many languages, including English. The novel tells the story of Jean-Baptiste Grenouille, an 18th-century Frenchman who is born with no body odor but has an extraordinary sense of smell.
Plot
As an infant, Grenouille is abandoned by his mother and left to die in the streets of Paris. He is eventually taken to an orphanage, where he grows up and becomes an apprentice to a perfumer. Grenouille's obsession with creating the perfect scent leads him on a killing spree, as he seeks out the most beautiful women in Paris to use as the basis for his scents. Grenouille eventually creates the perfect scent, but at a great cost.
Main Character
Jean-Baptiste Grenouille is the main character of Perfume: The Story of a Murderer. Born with no body odor, Grenouille has an extraordinary sense of smell. He becomes obsessed with creating the perfect scent and goes on a killing spree to find the perfect ingredients for his perfume. Grenouille is portrayed as a cold, calculating, and emotionless character who is only interested in his own desires.
Setting
The novel is set in 18th-century France, primarily in Paris. The author paints a vivid picture of the city, with its narrow streets, crowded markets, and foul-smelling alleyways. The city is portrayed as a place of great beauty and great ugliness, where the rich live in luxury and the poor struggle to survive.
Themes
Perfume: The Story of a Murderer explores a number of themes, including obsession, beauty, and mortality. The novel raises questions about the nature of beauty and whether it is worth killing for. It also questions the morality of Grenouille's actions and whether his obsession with scent makes him a monster.
Style
The writing style of Perfume: The Story of a Murderer is highly descriptive and immersive. The author uses vivid language to create a rich and detailed world that the reader can easily imagine. The novel is also notable for its use of scent as a central theme, with the author describing the smells of Paris in great detail.
Critical Reception
Perfume: The Story of a Murderer has received widespread critical acclaim since its publication. The novel has been praised for its vivid descriptions, immersive world-building, and thought-provoking themes. It has also been adapted into a successful film and stage play.
Conclusion
Perfume: The Story of a Murderer is a thought-provoking and immersive novel that explores the nature of obsession, beauty, and mortality. The book's vivid descriptions and immersive world-building make it a must-read for fans of literary fiction. The novel has received widespread critical acclaim and has been adapted into a successful film and stage play.