Perfume The Story Of A Murderer Book Analysis
Introduction
Perfume: The Story of a Murderer is a novel by Patrick Süskind that was published in 1985. The book is set in 18th-century France and tells the story of Jean-Baptiste Grenouille, an orphan who is born without a sense of smell but possesses an extraordinary sense of smell. He becomes obsessed with creating the perfect scent, which leads him down a dark and dangerous path.
Plot Summary
The novel begins with the birth of Jean-Baptiste Grenouille in Paris in 1738. He is abandoned by his mother and left on the steps of a fish market. Grenouille is later taken in by a woman named Madame Gaillard, who raises him until he is sold to a tanner at the age of eight.
Grenouille discovers his extraordinary sense of smell while working for the tanner. He becomes obsessed with creating the perfect scent and begins to experiment with different ingredients. Grenouille eventually moves to Grasse, a town known for its perfume industry, where he becomes an apprentice to a perfumer named Baldini.
While working for Baldini, Grenouille creates a scent that is so perfect that it awakens the emotions of everyone who smells it. He becomes obsessed with creating more scents and begins to kill young women to extract their scent. Grenouille is eventually caught and put on trial, but he uses his extraordinary sense of smell to manipulate the judge and the crowd and is acquitted.
Grenouille eventually creates the perfect scent, but he realizes that it is meaningless without someone to share it with. He pours the scent on himself and is immediately torn apart by a crowd of people who are overwhelmed by the scent.
Themes
Perfume: The Story of a Murderer explores several themes, including obsession, power, and the nature of humanity. Grenouille's obsession with creating the perfect scent leads him down a dark and dangerous path, and his desire for power over others drives him to commit murder. The novel also raises questions about the nature of humanity and whether people are inherently good or evil.
Style
Süskind's writing style in Perfume: The Story of a Murderer is often described as lyrical and poetic. He uses vivid descriptions and sensory details to bring the world of 18th-century France to life. The novel also features several extended allegories, including the idea of scent as a metaphor for power and the sense of smell as a way of experiencing the world.
Reception
Perfume: The Story of a Murderer has received critical acclaim since its publication. The novel has been translated into numerous languages and has sold millions of copies worldwide. It has also been adapted into a successful film and stage play.
Conclusion
Perfume: The Story of a Murderer is a dark and disturbing novel that explores the nature of obsession, power, and the human condition. Süskind's vivid descriptions and allegorical style make the novel a powerful and thought-provoking read.