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anhedonia_n_anomie's review against another edition
The book is a slow-burner—so takes a while to get to the meat of the plot—and with the main character being this inhuman creature (so to speak) who doesn't engage with anyone else in the story, doesn't speak, doesn't have much of an inner life (outside of what his superpowered olfactory sense brings to him), and who is just constantly behaving incredibly revoltingly—I just couldn't stick it out until things started going somewhere.
Graphic: Murder, Sexual violence, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Stalking, and Blood
pascalthehoff's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Sexual violence, Misogyny, and Murder
maxire's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Gore and Death
Moderate: Child death, Murder, Sexual violence, and Violence
Minor: Death of parent
savvylit's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Despite the evocative and sensual writing, the story itself was ultimately underwhelming. Being subtitled "The Story of a Murderer" seemed to imply some suspense. However, the plot was predictable more often than not. Grenouille's cave era was the only part of Perfume that truly surprised at every turn. Sadly, the cave era was a short-lived segment of the novel.
Overall, Perfume is a classic horror story that would fit happily on the shelves alongside titles such as Dracula or Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde. However, this horror story ultimately was not to my taste. The incredible misogyny - which does fit the monstrous characterization of Grenouille - was something that I personally found incredibly grating. At this point in my life, I am tired of reading "classics" in any genre that are so deeply steeped in hatred for women.
Graphic: Sexual violence, Stalking, Death, Murder, Misogyny, Violence, Animal cruelty, and Pregnancy
pigro's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Self harm, Addiction, Stalking, Cannibalism, Animal cruelty, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Mental illness, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual violence, and Violence
poloniumblood's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Torture, Stalking, Sexual violence, Pedophilia, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Blood, Vomit, and Physical abuse
liilykke's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
From other reviews I realized most people read it out of school obligation, and that kinda ruins it, it's definitely not a book for everyone, but I wouldn't consider it a "bad" book.
I think it's similar to a) Narcissus and Goldmund - Hermann Hesse b) A Certain Hunger- Chelsea Summers and c) My Year of Rest and Relaxation- Ottessa Moshfegh
It contains long descriptions of olfactory stimuli, 18th century France in a beautiful and enchanting way.
I think you can read this book again and again and always find something unique. The prose is beautiful, it contrasts the gore descriptions that are presented.
Süskind has done immersive research into perfumes, everything is articulated in such detail...
I think if you enjoy dark and gore themes, but would also appreciate a discussion about humanity and death, this book is for u <3
Graphic: Murder and Gore
Moderate: Pedophilia
Minor: Cannibalism, Sexual violence, Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, and Torture
laurapeirs's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Cannibalism, Murder, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, and Body horror
Minor: Incest, War, Torture, Stalking, Sexual violence, Gore, Child death, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, and Pedophilia
emmaslibrary's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Graphic: Abandonment, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Cannibalism, Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Excrement, Gore, Infidelity, Kidnapping, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Stalking, Torture, and Violence
miranda_mercer's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Murder and Sexual violence