Reviews tagging 'Incest'

Perfume: The Story of a Murderer by Patrick Süskind

67 reviews

challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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challenging dark
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

this book FREAKY (derogatory)

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dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: N/A
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
dark mysterious tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
dark funny medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
dark mysterious tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

30th June 2025: Just did my second re-read and the book has attained a more introspective tone.
Grenouille has done a lot of terrible things but it's interesting how the world and even the narrator themselves treat him without love, even though all of them but the narrator know nothing of his actions. Everyone either uses him as an object of convenience (whether it's Baldini, Grimal or even the Marquis) or a way to satisfy their ego (like Father Terrier). He's never seen as a human, even after his ultimate perfume. I guess it's not just the people around him but it's also Grenouille who can't see him as a human.


Wow, this book was a wild, wild journey. And there was no chance I could have ever predicted the ending! The story felt very immersive, especially with the extensive descriptions of all the smells that 18th century Paris and France had to offer, both the mesmerising and the hideous. 

It wasn't as gruesome as expected, but still the gruesome deeds done were enough to form our opinion of Grenouille. Despite these deeds, there is also humour in some parts, especially with the narrator's descriptions of Grenouille. Holy hell does the narrator loathe him sometimes! 

Perhaps there are some themes about the loss of meaning and identity when you can't smell yourself, but all in all, it was a thrilling, entertaining story of a guy who smells. Or doesn't smell? It's complicated! 

I do feel like I have to pay more attention to perfume after reading this!

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
dark mysterious medium-paced
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
adventurous dark funny fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

25 murders + cannibalism?
very demure and very mindful, felt like an LSD trip, but a good read regardless. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Expand filter menu Content Warnings