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Molly's Reviews > Perfume: The Story of a Murderer
Perfume: The Story of a Murderer
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I want my last 2 weeks back. I dove into this book expecting a hell of a lot more than I dragged out of it. From the very beginning I did not like the author's writing style and should have known then that this book just wouldn't be for me.
This book is set in the mid-1700's France and centers around a horrid man who has no redeeming qualities other than the fact that he has likely the most perfect sense of smell in the history of mankind. But he uses this skill for selfish and evil purposes and we get to come along for the story of his life - if you could call it that.
The premise of the story seemed interesting enough, and of course the title tells us that there is going to be murder so that always makes for interesting reading. But I just found it to be extremely boring and tiresome.
The author obviously did his research relating to all things perfume - the methods involved in it's creation - both chemically and artistically - and the importance of it's purpose in that point in history. But he goes overboard with list after exhaustive list of ingredients or steps within a process or varieties to be found. He can't help but describe every minute detail, not just of perfume, but of the landscape or the people. I love descriptive writing - I truly do - but I do also like to have an exciting plot to keep me involved. By the time he finished describing a scene I forgot why we were there.
This book lulled me to sleep and caused me to welcome distractions rather than turning the page so it took me a lot longer than a book of this length normally would. I know that it is loved by many and was recommended to me by several whose opinions I value. But this one just didn't cut it. Even when the action picked up in the last 50 pages or so, it became extremely bizarre and made me wonder what the heck the point was exactly.
This book is set in the mid-1700's France and centers around a horrid man who has no redeeming qualities other than the fact that he has likely the most perfect sense of smell in the history of mankind. But he uses this skill for selfish and evil purposes and we get to come along for the story of his life - if you could call it that.
The premise of the story seemed interesting enough, and of course the title tells us that there is going to be murder so that always makes for interesting reading. But I just found it to be extremely boring and tiresome.
The author obviously did his research relating to all things perfume - the methods involved in it's creation - both chemically and artistically - and the importance of it's purpose in that point in history. But he goes overboard with list after exhaustive list of ingredients or steps within a process or varieties to be found. He can't help but describe every minute detail, not just of perfume, but of the landscape or the people. I love descriptive writing - I truly do - but I do also like to have an exciting plot to keep me involved. By the time he finished describing a scene I forgot why we were there.
This book lulled me to sleep and caused me to welcome distractions rather than turning the page so it took me a lot longer than a book of this length normally would. I know that it is loved by many and was recommended to me by several whose opinions I value. But this one just didn't cut it. Even when the action picked up in the last 50 pages or so, it became extremely bizarre and made me wonder what the heck the point was exactly.
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Reading Progress
August 22, 2008
– Shelved
August 22, 2008
– Shelved as:
fiction
Started Reading
April 20, 2009
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-43 of 43 (43 new)
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message 1:
by
Donna
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rated it 4 stars
Apr 08, 2009 05:52AM
I really liked this book, such an unusual main character.
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Donna wrote: "I really liked this book, such an unusual main character."I barely got past the opening pages last night - his descriptions of scent were so repulsively effective! I am looking forward to the story as several people whose recommendations I trust enjoyed it so much.
You'll have to let me know what this is like. I have it on my tbr list. The film was very odd.
Jenny wrote: "You'll have to let me know what this is like. I have it on my tbr list. The film was very odd."Seriously - there is a film? Do they make movies out of every book these days? I am having a hard time getting into this one - the writing style is keeping me from staying focused - maybe it is the translation?
I'm assuming it's based on the book
That would be the one. I'm 2/3 of the way through and still considering giving it only 2 stars. I keep getting people telling me how much they loved the book and his writing. I hate his writing - comes across as "look how many things I can list that have to do with the making of perfume." I get it - you did excellent research. Just get to the damn action already.
oh good.someone else who did not like this creepy very popular story about a misfit hunting down red-haired virgins.
misogynist crap in my view.
sure there are some nice descriptions. landscapes and cityscapes. the perfume industry.
but that's not enough to counter the putrid stench.
Jessica wrote: "oh good.someone else who did not like this creepy very popular story about a misfit hunting down red-haired virgins.
misogynist crap in my view.
sure there are some nice descriptions. landscapes ..."
Haha! Dude was a wacko. I am sure Jenny's comment was right - the movie must have been really odd.
I hated the movie too.don't know why I saw it?
I think I was with someone who insisted...
Molly wrote: "Seriously - there is a film? Do they make movies out of every book these days? I a..."Molly,
Well done review.
It was actually a pretty good movie. I watched it on DVD about 30 minutes at a sitting. It is not a movie for the squeamish or faint-hearted. Dustin Hoffman is wonderful as a failing perfume maker who adopts Jean-Baptiste Grenouille, the protagonist, and trains him.
Jessica, I can't speak for the book but the movie was satirical rather than serious. It poked fun at everyone involved. I did not pick up any hatred of women rather it showered disgust on those who tried to exploit Jean-Baptiste.
BTW, I'm not sure I want to read the book given the reviews by people I respect.
I liked Hoffman, yes, he was fantastic. So was what's-his-name whom I love in the HP films (Scape) as the young girl's father.The movie was very tiresome however. And predictable.
The only good scene was the orgy at the end.
Ed wrote: "Molly wrote: "Seriously - there is a film? Do they make movies out of every book these days? I a..."Molly,
Well done review.
It was actually a pretty good movie. I watched it on DVD about 3..."
I didn't find much humor in the book. I wasn't offended by it either. But it was creepy and bizarre. I can't imagine how visually they could have created the same world since the book was so descriptive of the scents.
"I didn't find much humor in the book. I wasn't offended by it either. But it was creepy and bizarre. I can't imagine how visually they could have created the same world since the book was so descriptive of the scents."It was done in a very drawn-out way...a way that --to me--was too faithful to the book & lacked artistry. anyway...I'll stop dissing.
Haha, Molly, your comment "look how many things I can list that have to do with the making of perfume" describes the book so well! ^^I really liked the idea of the story, but the way it was written really wasn't all that good. I had the impression the author wanted to imitade someone else's style, but I don't know whose.
´¡²Ô»å°ùé wrote: "Haha, Molly, your comment "look how many things I can list that have to do with the making of perfume" describes the book so well! ^^I really liked the idea of the story, but the way it was writte..."
Happy to give you a chuckle after this read ;0)
Yes, those lists seemed to be a cheap way of using the poetry of craftsmanship to create a feeling of atmosphere.
Sandra, I agree with you. I really enjoyed and appreciated the writing. I even became more interested in perfume and how it is created and did further reading on the subject.
Perfect review. Exactly sums up my feelings about this excruciatingly dull book.
I totally agree with your review ;)
Hi,the same for me.
thank you i spend the last 3 week trying to finish. ....finally i gave up ,abd the book goes to 'too boring to finish' shelf
Totally agree with your review. Found myself forcing myself to finish it!
Same, I had to read this for school a couple of years ago, and it won't be one I'll be revisiting at a later age, because I found it so utterly boring. He could have condensed it down to a third, going by only the plot.
You really have to have an appreciation for perspective...Its for people who really like to take the time to think and reflect. I found myself pausing a lot and just being deeply touched. I didn't appreciate the end as much as the rest but I found that most who did not like this book found the opposite to be true
Not only are your literary tastes juvenile, but you can't do simple math. 2.5 × 2 doesn't equal 6.
I agree. I’m only up to page 58 and already been reading it for 2 weeks! I’m really not sure I can be bothered getting to the last 50 pages to find out what happens. I don’t usually give up on books but with the amount of others waiting to be read I think I’ll have to. This one just might be going back to the second hand book store.
I should have given up at page 58, now I'm at page 228 I think I might as wel finish it, but it's a struggle. Giving up you'll miss that incredibly tedious section where he lives in a cave and eats bats... lucky you... Why so many good reviews?
Sandra wrote: "Are you kidding me. Those over flowery descriptions were chock-full of symbolism and literary significance. Yes, if you're reading from a shallow, plot-based perspective, than this book kind of fal..."Shallow readers abound, even on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ.
This is my thoughts exactly! You worded it much better than I but it took 20 days to finish this book because I kept falling asleep.
I thought the book was absolutely beautifully written, at lots of times throughout the book the prose was simply stunningWonderful character development, too.
I couldn't help but be captivated by the in depth descriptions of the work that goes in to the art perfumery.
This was amongst the most bizarre but well crafted and wonderfully written books I've ever read.
Agree! However I stopped short of 50%.
Couldn’t agree more!!!
Appreciate this review!
I agree. It was on my 2024 reading list because some celebrities I like read it but I just can’t get through it. It’s become boring with how it just drags on. I wanted a bit more meaty story with actual dialogue but it just reads like a textbook of perfume obsession. I can’t finish it.
Perfect way to describe this almost painful read
You’ll have some weird taste
Completely agree! From A to Z!
This was so boring I quit the audiobook after listening to him drone on about perfumes.
Didn’t like it at all but forced myself to finish it, hoping it would improve� it didn’t�
I totally agree with you! I feel like the descriptive language definitely dragged out and made the book seem boring and hard to keep turning the pages
I’ve wanted to read this for years! And I’m halfway through literally forcing myself to finish it. Sick of the waffle! Glad I’m not alone
