Summary of Perfume: The Story of a Murderer
“Perfume: The Story of a Murderer” recounts the tale of Jean-Baptiste Grenouille, who grows up as an orphan in 18th-century Paris to become one of France’s most renowned perfumers. However, his path to success is paved with a profound hatred for humanity. An obsessive outcast with an extraordinary sense of smell but no body scent of his own, Grenouille strives to create the most exquisite perfumes, even if it requires him to murder innocent young women.
Reasons to read Perfume
“Perfume: The Story of a Murderer” is a historical fable or a dark fairy tale with elements of the Faustian legend. The author, Patrick Süskind, is a celebrated German novelist and screenwriter. “Perfume: The Story of a Murderer” is his best-known work and has sold over 20 million copies worldwide, making it one of the most successful German novels of the 20th century. It was included in the BBC’s 2003 Big Read list of the British public’s best-loved novels. The English translation by John Woods won the 1987 PEN Translation Award.
Setting: Paris, Cantal, Montpelier, French Riviera (France)
Book set in France: Paris, Plomb du Cantal (Massif Central), Montpelier, Grasse (French Riviera)
Original title: Das Parfum: Die Geschichte eines Mörders
Year of publication: 1985
Nr of pages: 255
