Perfume The Story Of A Murderer Plot
Perfume: The Story of a Murderer is a novel by Patrick Süskind published in 1985. The story is set in 18th century France and follows the life of Jean-Baptiste Grenouille, an exquisite perfumer with a remarkable sense of smell. The novel was later adapted into a film in 2006 and received critical acclaim.
Summary
Jean-Baptiste Grenouille is born in a fish market and abandoned by his mother. He grows up in an orphanage and discovers his remarkable sense of smell. He becomes an apprentice to a perfumer, and after discovering the scent of a woman, he becomes obsessed with creating the perfect scent.
He moves to Grasse, the perfume capital of France, to learn more about the art of perfumery. He becomes a murderer, killing young women to extract their scents and create the perfect scent. He eventually creates the perfect scent, but in his final moments, he realizes that he is unable to smell it himself.
Main Characters
Jean-Baptiste Grenouille is the protagonist of the story. He is born with a remarkable sense of smell and becomes obsessed with creating the perfect scent.
Madame Gaillard is the owner of the orphanage where Grenouille grows up.
Giuseppe Baldini is a perfumer who takes Grenouille as his apprentice.
Antoine Richis is the father of one of the murdered girls and becomes obsessed with finding her killer.
Themes
One of the main themes of the novel is the power of scent. Süskind explores the idea that scent can evoke strong emotions and memories, and that it can be used to manipulate people. Another theme is the idea of obsession, as Grenouille becomes obsessed with creating the perfect scent at any cost.
Adaptation
The novel was adapted into a film in 2006 by German director Tom Tykwer. The film stars Ben Whishaw as Grenouille and Dustin Hoffman as Baldini. The film was well-received by critics and received several awards and nominations.
Conclusion
Perfume: The Story of a Murderer is a dark and haunting tale that explores the power of scent and the dangers of obsession. The novel has become a classic and has been adapted into a successful film. The story of Jean-Baptiste Grenouille is a cautionary tale that reminds us of the dangers of unchecked ambition.