A review by lizflynn
Perfume: The Story of a Murderer by Patrick Süskind

5.0

Oh. My. God. This book. So disturbing. So fascinating. So beautiful. What else can I possibly say about this book? After finishing it, I mulled over the story and its message for days, trying to figure out why I was appalled. Was it the characters in the book that so repulsed me? Or was I appalled by the truths about human nature that this book exposed so well? Süskind writes the book as if it is a legend, a fable. The main character is a truly rotten human being, but I didn’t feel strong hatred towards him because this story was written in such a detached but beautiful manner. Grenouille was simply a vessel in which Süskind carried his message. What is that message? Well, I imagine it’s a little different for everyone, and I can’t tell you the message I received from this story because it changes for me every time I think about it. All I know for certain is that Perfume is a beautiful, eerie story that entertains, terrifies, and makes one look at the deeper corners of the soul. You should read it.