Perfume: The Story of a Murderer - A Detailed Summary

Perfume: The Story of a Murderer - Summary

Perfume: The Story of a Murderer is a novel by Patrick Süskind, narrated in the third person, that tells the life of Jean-Baptiste Grenouille.

Grenouille was born in 18th-century France amidst the most obnoxious odors imaginable. Abandoned by his mother, he barely survived. However, he possessed something special from birth: an extraordinary sense of smell. This gift, coupled with his lack of a personal odor, drove him to become a murderer with a singular goal: to create the most exquisite human scent.

This obsession led him to commit heinous crimes, extracting the most exquisite fragrances from his victims' bodies, culminating in an unexpected and surprising ending.

The Development of Odors in the Book

The book delves into the character's personal conception of odors. Smells are conceived as the essence of each individual, an essence we cannot perceive when in close contact. Süskind describes the smells of the time, unnoticed by others but potent to Grenouille.

This essence is part of the soul, defining each person. Grenouille, born with the power to capture this essence, lacked a soul and emitted no odor. His desire to be normal, to belong, drove him to extremes.

Grenouille's Quest for a Soul Through Scent

Grenouille believed that by stealing the best qualities of others and using them to create a fine perfume, he could assemble a soul, something he never possessed. He used his unique gift and knowledge of smells to achieve this.

He researched the best techniques to extract the purest scents, focusing on elements that others overlooked but were vivid to him.