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Elixir: A Parisian Perfume House and the Quest for the Secret of Life
A story of alchemy in Bohemian Paris, where two scientific outcasts discovered a fundamental distinction between natural and synthetic chemicals that inaugurated an enduring scientific mystery.
For centuries, scientists believed that living matter possessed a special quality―a spirit or essence―that differentiated it from nonliving matter. But by the nineteenth century, the scientific consensus was that the building blocks of one were identical to the building blocks of the other. Elixir tells the story of two young chemists who were not convinced, and how their work rewrote the boundary between life and nonlife.
In the 1830s, Édouard Laugier and Auguste Laurent were working in Laugier Père et Fils, the oldest perfume house in Paris. By day they prepared the perfumery’s revitalizing elixirs and rejuvenating eaux , drawing on alchemical traditions that equated a plant’s vitality with its aroma. In their spare time they hunted the vital force that promised to reveal the secret to life itself. Their ideas, roundly condemned by established chemists, led to the discovery of structural differences between naturally occurring molecules and their synthetic counterparts, even when the molecules were chemically identical.
Scientists still can’t explain this anomaly, but it may point to critical insights concerning the origins of life on Earth. Rich in sparks and smells, brimming with eccentric characters, experimental daring, and the romance of the Bohemian salon, Elixir is a fascinating cultural and scientific history.
For centuries, scientists believed that living matter possessed a special quality―a spirit or essence―that differentiated it from nonliving matter. But by the nineteenth century, the scientific consensus was that the building blocks of one were identical to the building blocks of the other. Elixir tells the story of two young chemists who were not convinced, and how their work rewrote the boundary between life and nonlife.
In the 1830s, Édouard Laugier and Auguste Laurent were working in Laugier Père et Fils, the oldest perfume house in Paris. By day they prepared the perfumery’s revitalizing elixirs and rejuvenating eaux , drawing on alchemical traditions that equated a plant’s vitality with its aroma. In their spare time they hunted the vital force that promised to reveal the secret to life itself. Their ideas, roundly condemned by established chemists, led to the discovery of structural differences between naturally occurring molecules and their synthetic counterparts, even when the molecules were chemically identical.
Scientists still can’t explain this anomaly, but it may point to critical insights concerning the origins of life on Earth. Rich in sparks and smells, brimming with eccentric characters, experimental daring, and the romance of the Bohemian salon, Elixir is a fascinating cultural and scientific history.
320 pages, Hardcover
Published April 25, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
March 30, 2023
In 'Elixir: a Parisian Perfume House and the Quest for the Secret of Life', Professor Theresa Levitt pulls off the remarkable feat of draping non-fiction in the adornments of fiction. Not that this was her goal in writing ‘Elixir’, but it explains why, even though I seldom read historical non fiction, my request to obtain a pre-release of the audiobook most gratifyingly paid off. Everything about the book appealed to my usual tastes in fiction: the premise, description, the subtitle and that striking cover art (with the blue scrolling border); they all attracted me.
Already a lauded author of non fiction, graduate of MIT and Harvard, Levitt brings to the history of Laugier and Laurent’s struggles against the scientific establishment, a deft humanising (even romanticising) of the historical figures involved. What a passion for the history of science! I'm not familiar with Levitt's other titles, so I can’t compare their style to the way in which, in 'Elixir', she imbues history with narrative, dramatic tension, and character development, with flair.
Throughout, I was wholly invested in Levitt's unfolding of the 'delicate and complex argument[s]' that characterise this slice of the history of science, and perhaps, this is in some part due to Esther Wane's gorgeous narration. I can’t contemplate this audiobook performed by any other.
The subject of the book is, bluntly, the story of men arguing with other men over what lots of men discover when they interfere with nature and muck around with elements of it. (That's perhaps overly disparaging, for - of course - in the current age, my life has benefitted dramatically from the chemical discoveries expounded in 'Elixir'). Yet, it should be marked that Levitt, a female author, has achieved the spectacular, and - through inspired selection of excerpts from letters and textual sources - she succeeds in making this the story, not of the stark facts of how men throughout history have subdued and transmogrified the world around them, but a story of emotion, sympathy, empathy, and pathos.
The imagism employed in Levitt's portrayal of chemical reactions - especially of men's continued expedition to understand the crystalline characteristics of natural matter - is wonderfully visual, highly sensual and pictorial.
In the end, 'Elixir' boasts the most wonderfully satisfying cyclical narrative that snakes back round to where it began, as Levitt expounds her conclusion that 'the forces in play in our laboratories differ from those which govern vegetable nature.' The book accelerates and accelerates to a truly captivating final few chapters; the last chapter alone is astonishingly information-dense and scintillating. We have travelled, carried by Levitt's stirring narrative, from the early 1800s to the concluding vision of a modern space probe lying on its side on a comet, its drill broken and inoperable, unable to take an uncontaminated amino acid sample, travelling off and onward in space. What a memorable closing image in a truly memorable book.
My great, great thanks go to John Murray Press UK Audio and Basic Books, for a review copy through NetGalley.
Already a lauded author of non fiction, graduate of MIT and Harvard, Levitt brings to the history of Laugier and Laurent’s struggles against the scientific establishment, a deft humanising (even romanticising) of the historical figures involved. What a passion for the history of science! I'm not familiar with Levitt's other titles, so I can’t compare their style to the way in which, in 'Elixir', she imbues history with narrative, dramatic tension, and character development, with flair.
Throughout, I was wholly invested in Levitt's unfolding of the 'delicate and complex argument[s]' that characterise this slice of the history of science, and perhaps, this is in some part due to Esther Wane's gorgeous narration. I can’t contemplate this audiobook performed by any other.
The subject of the book is, bluntly, the story of men arguing with other men over what lots of men discover when they interfere with nature and muck around with elements of it. (That's perhaps overly disparaging, for - of course - in the current age, my life has benefitted dramatically from the chemical discoveries expounded in 'Elixir'). Yet, it should be marked that Levitt, a female author, has achieved the spectacular, and - through inspired selection of excerpts from letters and textual sources - she succeeds in making this the story, not of the stark facts of how men throughout history have subdued and transmogrified the world around them, but a story of emotion, sympathy, empathy, and pathos.
The imagism employed in Levitt's portrayal of chemical reactions - especially of men's continued expedition to understand the crystalline characteristics of natural matter - is wonderfully visual, highly sensual and pictorial.
In the end, 'Elixir' boasts the most wonderfully satisfying cyclical narrative that snakes back round to where it began, as Levitt expounds her conclusion that 'the forces in play in our laboratories differ from those which govern vegetable nature.' The book accelerates and accelerates to a truly captivating final few chapters; the last chapter alone is astonishingly information-dense and scintillating. We have travelled, carried by Levitt's stirring narrative, from the early 1800s to the concluding vision of a modern space probe lying on its side on a comet, its drill broken and inoperable, unable to take an uncontaminated amino acid sample, travelling off and onward in space. What a memorable closing image in a truly memorable book.
My great, great thanks go to John Murray Press UK Audio and Basic Books, for a review copy through NetGalley.
June 12, 2023
Great collection of not only the history of perfumes and soaps, but the birth of organic chemistry, experimental chemistry, and how chemistry impacted the industrial revolution. Loved learning about how several molecules and lab techniques came to be, and the chemists that worked to discover them. I also enjoyed seeing some similarities between the general public opinion on things (like synthetic vs natural chemicals) in the 1800's and now.
June 2, 2023
Audio ARC provided by NetGalley. All opinions are my own
Great audio narrator who struck the balance in nuance between non fiction and fiction, which was perfect in this book.
Elixir is a wonderful dive into a segment of the history of chemistry, tracing its roots from late alchemy through perfumery and the relationship between perfume and medicine, and thence on to its more modern definition. Levitt tells this all as if it's a story of men arguing - which in fairness most scientific is the story of people arguing until theories are proved or discarded. It makes this book immensely readable without dumbing anything down and all whilst putting each discovery in its historical context. The race for supremacy in the industrial revolution between France and Britain being a case in point. Overall this was fascinating, informative and engaging. Highly recommend.
Great audio narrator who struck the balance in nuance between non fiction and fiction, which was perfect in this book.
Elixir is a wonderful dive into a segment of the history of chemistry, tracing its roots from late alchemy through perfumery and the relationship between perfume and medicine, and thence on to its more modern definition. Levitt tells this all as if it's a story of men arguing - which in fairness most scientific is the story of people arguing until theories are proved or discarded. It makes this book immensely readable without dumbing anything down and all whilst putting each discovery in its historical context. The race for supremacy in the industrial revolution between France and Britain being a case in point. Overall this was fascinating, informative and engaging. Highly recommend.
October 5, 2023
Really this was a 3.5 stars. The book starts with the some history of perfumes and scents from France but really it is more a history of early French organic chemistry from the mid 1700's to the early 1900's. This time frame includes the French Reign of Terror and Napoleon and ends with Pasteur. It was interesting to see how much perfume and scents played a role in such historic moments. Soap and Gun powder used the same ingredients during the Reign of terror. This causes lots of drama. I enjoyed the book but it really didn't move my needle.
September 20, 2023
If you want to learn about the history of chemistry, perfume, France, French revolutions, or the science of smell then this is the book for you. I would not recommend the audiobook though. Mostly just because it’s really really hard to keep track of. 3 star book. 2 star for me for the audiobook experience
February 26, 2025
An intriguing account of the origin of organic chemistry as it emerged from the alchemical beliefs of the 18th century into the great age of discovery in the 19th century. The French chemist Lavoisier successfully classified all minerals, but living essences seemed to defy simple classification. The story of Auguste Laurent and Edouard Laugier, the two friends whose work on living substances set them at odds with the establishment, is vividly and movingly told. I also enjoyed reading about the great events of history (French Revolution, Napoleon’s reign, 1848 revolution) from the perspective of scientists. This book is very readable and full of fascinating anecdotes.
April 9, 2023
I love a non fiction book that tells a story. And this one enchants you and sweeps you into a historical France and take you through the discovery and science of perfume in the most immersive way.
The narration made for very easy listening and was superbly executed. It was greatly written, and made the history behind the discovery and chemistry of perfumes and scents so interesting.
It’s a topic that could have been a little dry and boring but it was far from the case in this instance, as it was transformed into a way that couldn’t help but draw you in and keep you fascinated. It was a topic I found so much more interesting than I initially thought it would!
A stroll through scientific history and venture, from apothecarists, to the formation of pharmacy, the use of scents in medicine and royalty. Want to know how obsessed Napoleon was with perfume? Read on. what couldn’t these miracle little bottles cure in these times? There was a scent for everything !
So glad I picked this one up, thoroughly enjoyed!
Thank you to the author and publisher for this book on NetGalley in return for my honest thoughts and review.
The narration made for very easy listening and was superbly executed. It was greatly written, and made the history behind the discovery and chemistry of perfumes and scents so interesting.
It’s a topic that could have been a little dry and boring but it was far from the case in this instance, as it was transformed into a way that couldn’t help but draw you in and keep you fascinated. It was a topic I found so much more interesting than I initially thought it would!
A stroll through scientific history and venture, from apothecarists, to the formation of pharmacy, the use of scents in medicine and royalty. Want to know how obsessed Napoleon was with perfume? Read on. what couldn’t these miracle little bottles cure in these times? There was a scent for everything !
So glad I picked this one up, thoroughly enjoyed!
Thank you to the author and publisher for this book on NetGalley in return for my honest thoughts and review.
December 27, 2023
This was an excellent book but not the book I expected. I expected a book about the business history of a Parisian perfume company. Instead, this is a detailed history of the development of chemistry in France over a span of years (1700-1850? I wasn't paying close attention to that detail). I worry that those who would be most interested in this well-researched, well told story may not pick it up not understanding what it covers. Also, it delves very deeply into the chemistry details, likely more than the typical reader would enjoy. It also covers very aggressive academic politics and it's impossible to not feel bad for one of the genius chemists.
April 6, 2023
This was a very different sort of book to my normal type of reads. I enjoyed hearing about the history of events in France, the way elixirs were developed and the people who were involved with it. It was a very informative book, covering the French Revolution. Thanks to NetGalley and publishers for a pre publication audio book version for my enjoyment.
October 26, 2023
I picked this book up at the airport thinking it would be the history of perfume. It is really the story of organic chemistry. Interesting, but you kind of have to nerd out to enjoy. My favorite sections were reading about the French Revolution & how the lack of soap & perfume were big instigators in the fight.
August 18, 2023
If you're a history buff, a Francophile, or a chemistry enthusiast, this book's for you. I am none of those things, so this book was a slog.
March 7, 2024
The podcast episode was more interesting.
December 28, 2023
Every wonder what happened in the development of chemistry between say 1715 and 1850, in France's crazy period of queens declaring "let them eat cake", citizen committees declaring "off with their heads", decimal days, and napoleonic nightmares? If so, here's the book for you.
Focused on parfumier chemists, "Elixir" is a firehose of patrician chemists set in chaos, living with revolutions, turns of fortune, institutional upheavals, soap & gunpowder chemical shortages. Even prominent and powerful scientists like Antoine Lavoisier, tax collector and discoverer of oxygen, are not safe, lives cut short at the guillotine.
Aristotelian and alchemic natural philosophy morphs to modern chemistry in France in crazy times which bring both chaos and opportunity. With so many hand in the alembics and pots, proud patrician sniping at citizen scientists, there's lots of professional backbiting, not much mention of England, some mention of German chemistry, and a few landmarks in the history of pharmacy.
The philosophical debate centers on whether there is chemical answer to the question of whence life? Can "the elixir" can be distilled? A worthwhile search, since great alcoholic and aromatic concoctions are dissected, designed and developed along the way. Even if the elixir eludes, you can still say it was a great trip.
Focused on parfumier chemists, "Elixir" is a firehose of patrician chemists set in chaos, living with revolutions, turns of fortune, institutional upheavals, soap & gunpowder chemical shortages. Even prominent and powerful scientists like Antoine Lavoisier, tax collector and discoverer of oxygen, are not safe, lives cut short at the guillotine.
Aristotelian and alchemic natural philosophy morphs to modern chemistry in France in crazy times which bring both chaos and opportunity. With so many hand in the alembics and pots, proud patrician sniping at citizen scientists, there's lots of professional backbiting, not much mention of England, some mention of German chemistry, and a few landmarks in the history of pharmacy.
The philosophical debate centers on whether there is chemical answer to the question of whence life? Can "the elixir" can be distilled? A worthwhile search, since great alcoholic and aromatic concoctions are dissected, designed and developed along the way. Even if the elixir eludes, you can still say it was a great trip.
March 19, 2023
I doubt I would every have picked up the written book, but I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the audio presentation. History books are not my usual cup of tea, but this book intrigue me, and I was rewarded with an interesting listen and entertained by so many little anecdotes. The listener is presented with so many different sides to the story of perfume and the discoveries it led to. I found the book gave such an insight into the history of chemical research and apparatus in the 19th century, when it was often a past time of the rich. The history as the ‘Elixer of life’ was searched for. The story of perfume favour, use and production in 19th century France, along side the political unrest. The ups and downs of chemical research and commercial success, often determined by King or ruling authority. And in that, the political shenanigans to claim ownership, prestige and financial benefit by both individuals and Countries. Thank you to John Murray Press UK Audio and NetGalley for the audio ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.
June 14, 2024
I am a chemist (physical, not organic because organic molecules are too big) so really enjoyed this book. The focus was on the difficult and gradual understanding that knowing the number of kinds of atoms in a molecule is not sufficient. As one French chemist noted paying attention only number and kinds of atoms in a molecule is like sweeping all chess pieces off the board and then sorting them into classes and claiming you understood that specific chess game. The shape of a molecule is absolutely vital in determining its functionality. Even mirror images will not necessary have the same effect. This disagreement was rancorous and the chemist arguing that stereochemistry matters died before the validity of his work was recognized.
April 25, 2023
Elixir is a wonderfully, elegant insight into the world of 18th & 19th century perfume, alchemy, chemistry and medicine in Paris. Read and narrated like a novel, it was easy to get lost in and hard to put down. I loved the narrator's voice and accent, it was so beautiful to listen to. Such an enjoyable way to learn about an interesting topic and vivacious time period. (then again, aren't they all in their own ways?)
An enormous Thank You to NetGalley, Basic Books, and Theresa Levitt for allowing me the opportunity to read this title in exchange for my honest review.
An enormous Thank You to NetGalley, Basic Books, and Theresa Levitt for allowing me the opportunity to read this title in exchange for my honest review.
September 4, 2023
A little advanced for me as a lay person with only a passing interest and basic background in chemistry but fascinating and informative nonetheless. I loved reading about the history and evolution of scent, essential oils, and perfume in France but I couldn’t quite keep up with the author when she started delving into molecular structures and concepts like chirality. Still, a very engrossing and fun read.
September 27, 2024
3.75 - Epic and truly fascinating story that would translate well to film (or make a great subplot to a Pynchon novel). A bit too beholden to the academic conventions of the historical narrative - I don't need the names of everyone's family members e.g. - which bogged it down and resulted in an awkward choppiness. The book, or at least I, would have greatly benefited from MUCH more context around the science.
December 31, 2024
Such a great book, and really a text for those interested in the history of science (particularly chemistry). I read it because of my interest in metabolism and it did not disappoint. Liebig is extensively discussed, and a rather unlikable and petty person, as well as a very extensive treatment of one of Liebig's rivals Auguste Laurent, a left-wing / socialist chemist involved in interesting revolutionary politics. (Hopefully will return soon to share more thoughts.)
April 28, 2023
I will admit that from the description I thought this book was a novel. After the first chapter I soon discovered it was more of a documentary style study of the art of science.
This is not at all the kind of book I would normally read but I was very presently surprised! A very enjoyably book dealing with social, economic and scientific history.
This is not at all the kind of book I would normally read but I was very presently surprised! A very enjoyably book dealing with social, economic and scientific history.
April 28, 2023
The scientific side of perfumery’s history.
If you are interested in perfumes, flowers, and fragrance notes, look elsewhere. This is about distillation, molecules before microscopes, and competing chemists, plus a few odd habits of French rules. An absolute delight for the geek side of me that lurks behind my love of fragrance & sensory delights.
If you are interested in perfumes, flowers, and fragrance notes, look elsewhere. This is about distillation, molecules before microscopes, and competing chemists, plus a few odd habits of French rules. An absolute delight for the geek side of me that lurks behind my love of fragrance & sensory delights.
September 18, 2023
Book on early chemists of France. Slot in the history of chemistry after the alchemists but before the big rise of German coal tar companies. But with a focus on perfumes and scents. Kekulé's dream (snake eating tail and staple of Chem 101 lecture) is less impressive if he may well have read the works of others and refused to cite them.
October 15, 2023
Would be 5 stars because it was well researched and flowed nicely - except the parts about the French Revolution were too long and strayed from the purpose of the book. But I really enjoyed this and learned a ton! Never knew how distilling actually worked until now and the history of alchemy combined with philosophy is so intriguing
December 24, 2023
An exploration of the development of modern chemistry through the lens of determining the difference between living and nonliving things in the sweep of French history.
Here we have a vast cast of characters perfumers, distillers, and scientists in 18th and 19th century France.
A bit dry at times, but still an interesting read.
Here we have a vast cast of characters perfumers, distillers, and scientists in 18th and 19th century France.
A bit dry at times, but still an interesting read.
Read
March 7, 2025Not sure how I ended up listening to this, but I some got wrapped up in decades long feud among 19th century French perfumers. The third act pivot into organic chemistry can rightly be described as “things your pre-med roommate complained about after a night of playing beer pong.” The coda about handedness got a twinge metaphysical. Lots going on here!
August 23, 2025
A very entertaining book that touches on a lot of topics that I personally enjoy. A story within history, though it’s hard to know exactly what was elaborated on or inferred. But unlike other books I have read. There are many things I still remember about this book. Between the historical significance, it touches into alchemy/chemistry and its setting and makes for a wonderful Read.
Want to read
April 23, 2023this is now a v anticipated 2023 read for me:
"Elixir tells the story of two young chemists who were not convinced, and how their work rewrote the boundary between life and nonlife."
what a claim. i'm hooked.
"Elixir tells the story of two young chemists who were not convinced, and how their work rewrote the boundary between life and nonlife."
what a claim. i'm hooked.
April 25, 2023
What's not to love in the story of part of parfumerie ? this is an informative and quite entertaining book, featuring quirky and genial characters, and keeping me hooked.
I learned and I had fun.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine
I learned and I had fun.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine
October 20, 2023
A fascinating read! A tale of the development of organic chemistry, based in Paris, that does not flinch from the mishaps of experimentation or the infighting within the scientific discipline. Would have given it five stars but it made me a little sad.
February 27, 2024
The entire time I was reading this it felt like I had read it before. But I couldn't find any proof of it. Which means, I was thinking this book was out of my norm to read, but in fact it is a subject that I am well versed in and enjoy.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews