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Summary: Read the first two pages.
Review: If the first two pages don't get you, put the book back on the shelf. It starts off running and picks up speed. If you never had an interest in perfume, which I didn't, you will now. Don't even try to anticpate what will happen next. You won't. You can bet your nose on it
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Summary: Your nose will never be the same
Review: Do you ever stop to smell the rain, musty and green, as it falls on a spring day? Do you revel in the warm musky scent of your lover's hair? Do you, with a furrowed brow, plug your nose when you pass a garbage truck as it rumbles down a suburban road? If not, read this book. And, like a flower, a new sensuality will open to you. What was once a dry account of 18th century France in your old high school book has come alive. Seize it. And inhale
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Summary: Your sensory perception will be transformed.
Review: You can actually feel new neural connections forming in your own brain as the pages (quickly) turn. Travelling along with the main character, the reader's experience of the plot is not limited to sight and sound, but is significantly expanded through the introduction of humankind's arguably least-developed, though highly versatile, sense: smell. This book is just as useful in its capacity as a memory-identification, life-enhancing manual. One warning: don't make the mistake, as I did, of reading it in the New York City subway. One hint: if possible, find the original German version
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Summary: "Gripping" is an over used word but it surely applies here
Review: One sees words such as 'gripping' and 'spellbinding' tossed around in reviews so frequently that they seem to have the validity of 'super' and 'star' when applied to humans. Thisbook however is both gripping and spellbinding and a super star. The unique premise, fine characterization, and well toldstory hold the reader's attention. It's the kind of bookthat makes you think of 'calling in sick' so you can finish it.A first rate read
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Summary: A thriller woven around scent.
Review: Maybe one of the most innovative books that I have read in the last few years. Suskind explores the place of scent in general within society and in particular with one that become murderously obsessed by it. Perfume calls to question our sense of smell and the enormous influence it has over all of humanity. A gripping page turner and unique thriller that you will not be able to put down
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Summary: This work is genius.
Review: The true power of scent is revealed is this dark and pungent tale of creation and destruction. From beginning to end the reader will be left with distinctly rich and lasting impressions of the story unfolding before him/her. Recommendation is a must; re-reading is highly recommended. I can only compare Suskind's writing style to that of Isabelle
Allende's careful attention to detail and sensual perception.
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Summary: Unique Perspective
Review: There really is no way to go in-depth into the book without giving away it's secrets (which are marvelous.) It's really a very simple tale. What's extraordinary about it is how startlingly Mr. Suskind changes the normal point of view of the average reader. One usually picks up a book and is swept away on a narrative based on visual, and sometimes auditory, interpretations. This book, however, reaches a deeper, more primitive level - the olfactory level. It's disturbing, in a way, because it feels three dimensional and is far more universal that mere sight or sound. For example, if someone said "the blue ocean," many people would see different shades of blue in their mind. However, when Mr. Suskind describes the particular scent of an 18th century fish market in Paris during the peak of summer, one's nose begins to crinkle and twitch with an uncanny recognition (even though we've never been to Paris, or a fish market nor traveled to the 18th century.) We're THERE. The visual images that follow are more similar to those of memory rather than fiction. The entire book is written in this manner. Sometimes it's a difficult read because it can be overwhelming. But, it's an extraordinary and completely unique experience.
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Summary: Great Book, nevermind Lori Dee
Review: This is a book not quite like any other you've read. That alone makes it worth reading, but you'll also love the character development, the intriguing personalities, and some of the most interestingly depicted settings I've ever read.However, this book didn't quite make the grade for one Ms. Lori Dee, who basically panned it in her spotlight review. Look closer, though: she gave five stars to Rosie O'Donnel's memoir. Hmm. Well, I guess this highly original novel isn't quite as gripping as, say, the thoughts of a daytime talk-show host. I guess the intimate psychoanalysis of a killer is somehow a little less interesting than what K-Mart's spokesperson had to say. Nothing about Suskind's beautiful prose can match the awesome talents of a woman who filled lulls in her broadcasts by flinging koosh balls at her audience. I guess if you're so deeply into daytime talk shows that you are compelled to give five stars to a host's memoir, this might not be the novel for you. Maybe you'd rather read Maury Povich's thoughts on life. Or Jerry Springer's.
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Summary: Why you should get this book
Review: There are some stories you just don't forget, even if you don't like them. This is one of those. It is not a happy fable, with a happy ending. It is disturbing and dark and very few of the characters are likable. But it will grab you and you will use it to measure other works. I've read it several times. It's not a "slasher" book, but one of deep horror, the more you think about it. If you do read this book, you probably would also like the early works of Harlan Ellison. And, if you like this one, see if you can find "The Last Lovers". Again, not a happy book, but an effective one. The mark of a good book to me - or an effective one - is how long it sticks in the memory. These are good books.
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Summary: A gReAt BoOk. hOwEvEr....
Review: I loved this book, it's terrific. The only problem I found is that it is annonced as the story of a murderer, but he starts killing 20 pages before the book ends. How come!!
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