Perfume

Synopsis

• A micro-encyclopedia for those who want to know the perfumer's work and learn about the perfume industry from the inside, but have no guide on where to start.

Summary

Chapter 1: The Birth of Grenouille

In 18th century France, Jean-Baptiste Grenouille is born in a fish market, cursed with an exceptional sense of smell and a complete lack of human scent. His mother abandons him, and he's raised in an orphanage, where his unusual abilities make him an outcast.

Example: Grenouille's extreme sense of smell allows him to perceive the world in a way that is both exhilarating and overwhelming. He is drawn to the scents of flowers, food, and people, but is repelled by his own lack of odor.

Chapter 2: The Apprenticeship

Grenouille is apprenticed to a perfumer named Baldini, a businessman who exploits Grenouille's talent. Grenouille learns the art of creating perfumes, mastering the techniques of extraction, blending, and aging.

Example: Grenouille's innate talent allows him to identify and extract scents with precision. He develops a secret formula for a perfume that Baldini claims as his own.

Chapter 3: The Discovery of the Secret

Grenouille discovers that the most alluring scent comes from young virgins. He travels to Grasse, France, the center of the perfume industry, and sets out to pursue his obsession.

Example: Grenouille's fascination with the scent of virgins becomes a dangerous obsession. He travels to Grasse, where he plans to capture and kill young women in order to extract their essences.

Chapter 4: The Murders

Grenouille embarks on a killing spree, targeting beautiful young women. He uses his perfume knowledge to lure them to a cave, where he murders them and extracts their scent.

Example: One of Grenouille's victims is a 14-year-old girl named Laura Richis. He murders her in a flower garden, capturing her essence as she dies.

Chapter 5: The Creation of the Masterpiece

Grenouille returns to Paris and creates his masterpiece perfume, a scent that is so irresistible that it arouses both love and lust in those who smell it.

Example: Grenouille uses the essences of 13 murdered virgins to create his perfume, "The Perfume." When people smell it, they are overwhelmed with desire and admiration.

Chapter 6: The Trial and Execution

Grenouille is arrested and put on trial for his crimes. The townspeople are divided between fear and adoration, as they have been captivated by his perfume.

Example: During the trial, witnesses testify to the transformative power of Grenouille's perfume. Some believe he is a monster, while others see him as a genius.

Chapter 7: The Final Triumph

On the day of his execution, Grenouille uses his perfume on the crowd. The people are overcome with ecstasy, and they turn against their own guards, freeing Grenouille.

Example: As Grenouille walks to the scaffold, he applies his perfume to himself. The scent fills the air, and the crowd erupts in a frenzy of love and desire. They break free from their chains and advance on Grenouille, only to devour him in a moment of ecstasy.