Patrick S???skind's Perfume is a classic novel of death and sensuality in Paris, published as a Penguin Essential for the first time. 'In eighteenth-century France there lived a man who was one of the most gifted and abominable personages in an era that knew no lack of gifted and abominable personages. His name was Jean-Baptiste Grenouille, and if his name has been forgotten today, it is certainly not because Grenouille fell short of those more famous blackguards when it came to arrogance, misanthropy, immorality, or, more ...
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Patrick S???skind's Perfume is a classic novel of death and sensuality in Paris, published as a Penguin Essential for the first time. 'In eighteenth-century France there lived a man who was one of the most gifted and abominable personages in an era that knew no lack of gifted and abominable personages. His name was Jean-Baptiste Grenouille, and if his name has been forgotten today, it is certainly not because Grenouille fell short of those more famous blackguards when it came to arrogance, misanthropy, immorality, or, more succinctly, wickedness, but because his gifts and his sole ambition were restricted to a domain that leaves no traces in history: to the fleeting realm of scent . . .' 'An astonishing tour de force both in concept and execution' Guardian 'A fantastic tale of murder and twisted eroticism controlled by a disgusted loathing of humanity ... Clever, stylish, absorbing and well worth reading' Literary Review 'A meditation on the nature of death, desire and decay ... a remarkable d???but' Peter Ackroyd, The New York Times Book Review 'Unlike anything else one has read. A phenomenon ... Everyone seems to want to get a whiff of this strange perfume, which will remain unique in contemporary literature' Figaro 'An ingenious and totally absorbing fantasy' Daily Telegraph 'Witty, stylish and ferociously absorbing' Observer
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Seller's Description:
Dispatched, from the UK, within 48 hours of ordering. Though second-hand, the book is still in very good shape. Minimal signs of usage may include very minor creasing on the cover or on the spine. Aged book. Tanned pages and age spots, however, this will not interfere with reading.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Dispatched, from the UK, within 48 hours of ordering. This book is in good condition but will show signs of previous ownership. Please expect some creasing to the spine and/or minor damage to the cover. Aged book. Tanned pages and age spots, however, this will not interfere with reading. Grubby book may have mild dirt or some staining, mostly on the edges of pages.
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Seller's Description:
Fair. Dispatched, from the UK, within 48 hours of ordering. The book is perfectly readable and fit for use, although it shows signs of previous ownership. The spine is likely creased and the cover scuffed or slightly torn. Textbooks will typically have an amount of underlining and/or highlighting, as well as notes. If this book is over 5 years old, then please expect the pages to be yellowing or to have age spots. Aged book. Tanned pages and age spots, however, this will not interfere with reading.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Dispatched, from the UK, within 48 hours of ordering. This book is in good condition but will show signs of previous ownership. Please expect some creasing to the spine and/or minor damage to the cover. Aged book. Tanned pages and age spots, however, this will not interfere with reading. Grubby book may have mild dirt or some staining, mostly on the edges of pages.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Dispatched, from the UK, within 48 hours of ordering. Though second-hand, the book is still in very good shape. Minimal signs of usage may include very minor creasing on the cover or on the spine.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very good. All orders are dispatched within 1 working day from our UK warehouse. Established in 2004, we are dedicated to recycling unwanted books on behalf of a number of UK charities who benefit from added revenue through the sale of their books plus huge savings in waste disposal. No quibble refund if not completely satisfied.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Good. All orders are dispatched within 1 working day from our UK warehouse. Established in 2004, we are dedicated to recycling unwanted books on behalf of a number of UK charities who benefit from added revenue through the sale of their books plus huge savings in waste disposal. No quibble refund if not completely satisfied.
I read some reviews of this book before buying it and did not really know how it was going to read. I found it hard to get through the first chapter, and read the remainder over several days. The story was fascinating and unlike anything else I had read. Once I got about a quarter through I was amazed by the author's ability to describe the protagonist.who is a very strange person. It's almost like science fiction - another universe. I am going to re-read it since it was so full of interesting characters, locations and a description of France in the 19th century. Fascinating unusual book. Cannot imagine how the author thought of this tale.
ohrenberg@gmail.com
Oct 30, 2007
Read This Book
Perfume is brought to life by a powerfull narrative crafted by Suskind. Never before have smells been described so deftly. The reader becomes intimately involved in the life of Jean-babtist, set in 18th century france this books does not read like a boring historical drama. Perfume is a refreshing tale about of all things a serial killer. Dont take my word for it go read it yourself
ewag
Sep 20, 2007
eclectic
very bizzare, and set back centuries. Keeps you on your toes, and you want to know what will happen next. surprising ending.
daughter2
Aug 21, 2007
Haven't seen the movie, glad I read the book!
We experience our world with all of our senses, at times one sense being stronger than another, as we take in our environment. But our character, Jean-Baptiste, experiences his world through his sense of smell. He trolls his world in search of the perfect scent. The author's descriptions are so tangible! The scents of Paris are so unpleasant, almost to the point of unbearable, that you may well find yourself repulsed and gagging as you read. Yet, when we are taken into the perfumeries of Paris and Grasse our entire experience is transformed into a world of beauty, fragrant like the flowers and citrus Jean-Baptiste uses in the art of perfume-making! But then again we are pulled down into the dark place that is Jean-Baptiste's soul. . .or lack of one? The ending is superb! Totally unexpected! It is almost like a. . .well, I'll leave you to interpret it for yourself.
