Perfume: The Story of a Murderer is a 1985 literary historical horror novel (originally published in German as Das Parfum) by German writer Patrick Süskind.

Set in 18th century France, Perfume relates the story of Jean-Baptiste Grenouille, "one of the most gifted and abominable personages in an era that knew no lack of gifted and abominable personages".

Born lacking a personal odour (a fact other people find disquieting) but endowed with an incomparable sense of smell, he apprentices himself to a perfumer and becomes obsessed with procuring the perfect scent that will make him fully human. In the process, he creates perfumes - presumably based on pheromones - that powerfully manipulate human emotions, murdering 25 girls to take their scent.

The book features detailed descriptions of the techniques of scent extraction such as maceration and enfleurage.

Adaptations

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A film adaptation of the book is currently in production, directed by Tom Tykwer, scheduled for 2006 release.

The song "Scentless Apprentice," by the American rock band Nirvana, was inspired by Perfume. It appears on their 1993 album, In Utero. The band's singer and guitarist Kurt Cobain often described it as one of his favorite books.

The single "Du riechst so gut" from the German industrial rock band Rammstein is also said to be influenced by the novel.

External links

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• Perfume: Internet Movie Database
• German fan site about the book and the movie (in German)
• Scentless Apprentice lyrics from nirvana.lyrics.info
• Perfume Books collection Binliography about perfume, from a personal collection: more than 700 books about perfume

1985 novels | German novels | Historical novels | Horror novels

Das Parfum | Le Parfum | Il profumo | Kvepalai (knyga) | O Perfume