Perfume: The Story of a Murderer - Pre-Read

[Joanna Loves Reading]

This is the discussion thread for the July 2019 Modern Classic/Popular group read Perfume: The Story of a Murderer by Patrick Süskind.

*Spoilers are not allowed!* Please see the SPOILERS thread for the spoiler discussion.

Who plans to join this read? Will it be your first time or a reread? What's drawing you to this book?

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[Clarissa]

I’m looking forward to reading this book for the first time. I saw the series on Netflix a few months ago. When I found out it was based on a book I wanted to read it. I prefer to read the book before a series or movie. This is also the first that I have participated in a group read on Goodreads and this group.

[Steffy]

First time for me that I’m joining a group read. I’ve actually seen the movie already and picked up a copy from the library today. I’m German but haven’t read much of German literature yet, so I’m really excited to participate.

[Caramell]

Welcome clarissa and steffy! I'm also looking forward to read this book. It's been on my to-read list for a long time... I'll start as soon as I finish the one I'm currently reading and I have high expectations :)

[Betsy]

I don't think I'll be re-reading this one, but definitely will be around for the SPOILERS conversation. It's a controversial story, at least for me.

[Edmund]

I have no idea what this book is about, I haven't even read the synopsis yet, so I hope it will turn out great! Can't wait to read it, I'm reading enjoying most of the books we voted for this group.

[Olive]

I am looking forward to reading this book. I think the description sounds very interesting.

[Jennifer]

I loved this extremely bizarre translation when it came out. Did anyone see the film. There was a limited relate where you got Vials I’d numbered scents to use during the film. It didn’t show here. Thanks for the Netflix tip.

[Betsy]

I've seen the film, and I think it was as equally disturbing as the novel. But that's my opinion, of course.

Is anyone else picking this book up soon?

[Laura H L]

I have just started listening to the audio version and it is drawing me in!

[Renata]

This begins our second pre-read discussion for this book, which we'll be "sniffing" out in January 2023. Why will you be reading it?

[Jerome]

Hello! I'm joining this because it was originally written in German and I enjoy reading in that language. I enjoy murder mysteries, though I have not seen any of the media based on the book, the Netflix show or the German movie.

[Quinty (Taylor's Version)]

i read this for German class in high school and I remember liking it. I'll reread it in German... but not sure how good my German still is lol

[Jerome]

That's impressive that this was read in your high school German class. This really stretches your vocabulary, even in English:
muffig=fusty; aetzende Laugen=acid-treated leaching

I love the use of repetition of descriptors to introduce the stench of 18th century Paris, to foreshadow the stench of evil.

[Quinty (Taylor's Version)]

Jerome wrote: "That's impressive that this was read in your high school German class. This really stretches your vocabulary, even in English:
muffig=fusty; aetzende Laugen=acid-treated leaching

I love the use of..."

I'm Dutch, so German is closer to my native language than to English :) Which really helped haha. I might read this on my ereader instead of my physical copy, just to have a built in dictionary, because I'm not sure I'll be able to understand much otherwise

[Jerome]

So far I love this book! DuziDuzi! Smell is such a powerful sense. It reminds me of the work of a professor I knew who studied smell recognition, specifically that infants, even premature infants, can identify and prefer the smell of their mother's breast milk on shirts to that of other mothers or odors, and that this is also the case among other animals.

This is really helping to expand my German vocabulary as well.

[Tyna]

I'm finding myself smelling and sniffing around while reading this book. Very well described and thought. I'm enjoying it so far more than I expected.

I remember that my very first boyfriend always told me that my smell was the most delicious perfume in the world to him and would love to have a bottle of "me" perfume. Chills all over my body xD

[Jerome]

That reminds me of a girlfriend who wore "Opium", first loves create strong memories.

Just reading slowly through this, the descriptions of his upbringing are horrible, but memorable. Imagining him as a tick reminds me of Kafka's cockroach.

[Renata]

Jerome wrote: "That reminds me of a girlfriend who wore "Opium", first loves create strong memories.

Just reading slowly through this, the descriptions of his upbringing are horrible, but memorable. Imagining hi..."

Jerome, just a friendly reminder that this is a pre-read thread. If you wish to comment on the story specifics, please do that in the SPOILER thread here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Thanks!

[aPriL does feral sometimes]

Never heard of this novel or the Netflix series. I am reading the English translation, I guess. Starting it today.

[Renata]

I've just started reading this book. Picked it because I'm drawn to dark and quirky stories. This one seemed just that.

[Kimberly]

Perfume: The Story of a Murderer is definitely dark and quirky.

[ｃｌａｉｒｅ]

Heyyyy 🖤💀 I’m reading this because I love horror more than any other genre, and this book is the most popular one on my reading list. It’s also been on there longer than most, so I thought it was time to get a whiff of what’s so special about it. 👃

[Renata]

Hope it doesn't stink.

[Maria]

I watched the movie years ago and I always wanted to read the book! Such a great choice, I love it so far!