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Patrick Süskind: Perfume

lilbiteb

lilbiteb

New Member
Today I did something that I've never done before.

I've been struggling to read this book for the past few weeks and I was about halfway through. I've felt that it was slow going, but, for a while, I was determined to finish it as it's been on my tbr pile for about a year. Anyway today I was in a charity shop browsing the books and on the spur of the moment my bag, popped the book on the counter and said "For goodness sake take it away!!"

I'm so relieved now it's gone. Trouble is, now I'm wondering what happened and if I've missed out on an amazing ending.

I'd like to know what others have thought of it. Who knows, I may have to go and buy it back!! :)
 
I think Perfume is a wonderful book, Lilbiteb, and it does have a highly dramatic ending... but if you weren't enjoying it then by definition you can't have missed much!
 
I also loved this book but the style is pretty consistent throughout so you may not have enjoyed reading the whole thing. What was it you didn't get on with? I was wondering if you found the character too odious or whether you just didn't enjoy the style of writing.
 
Clara said:
I also loved this book but the style is pretty consistent throughout so you may not have enjoyed reading the whole thing. What was it you didn't get on with? I was wondering if you found the character too odious or whether you just didn't enjoy the style of writing.
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I just found the story too drawn out. I knew that he had the finest "nose" in the world from the back of the book and the whole thing just seemed to be smell after smell after smell but not very much else going on.
 
When you say 'not very much else going on,' does that count
murdering nubile young girls for the essence of their smell??
And if it does, then what more going on do you want!
 
I read this awhile back and I'm pretty foggy on the details now, I will have to reread it I think. I must of liked it because I put a star by it in my notebook :)
 
The film comes out on Friday in the UK and I want to see it. I'm torn between whether I should just watch it, or whether I should nip out, get the book, and read it prior to a movie viewing.
 
I liked the book, but I doubt I'll go see the movie since parts of the book were pretty eerie and gruesome and I just don't like that sort of film.
 
Stewart, I strongly recommend reading the book first. It has a pretty dramatic ending, you really don't want to spoil that by watching the movie first; I can't imagine how they were able to wrap all that in celluloid anyways..

I've read 'Perfume' three times so far, and, as mentioned in another thread, only in German. Today I went out to buy the English version you guys want to read here only to realize I didn't even know exactly which one that is. So I bought the only one Borders had in stock: The First Vintage International Edition 2001 (surprisingly ugly black and white front cover.) :)

Anyways, I can't wait to read Süskind in translation, I'm sure he'll be just as mesmerizing as he is in his native language, German.

Watch out, Grenouille, here we come! :D
 
Snow said:
Stewart, I strongly recommend reading the book first. It has a pretty dramatic ending, you really don't want to spoil that by watching the movie first; I can't imagine how they were able to wrap all that in celluloid anyways..

I've read 'Perfume' three times so far, and, as mentioned in another thread, only in German. Today I went out to buy the English version you guys want to read here only to realize I didn't even know exactly which one that is. So I bought the only one Borders had in stock: The First Vintage International Edition 2001 (surprisingly ugly black and white front cover.) :)

Anyways, I can't wait to read Süskind in translation, I'm sure he'll be just as mesmerizing as he is in his native language, German.

Watch out, Grenouille, here we come! :D
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Absolutely! Read the book first. I was impressed with the crisp descriptions and attention to detail..even if at times the subject matter was rather gruesome. It is a very well-written book. I'm curious about the translation to film, but I don't think I want to see it really~
 
Oh by the way.. I've started last night, read the first two chapters and I have to say, although I need to get used to it, so far I like the English translation. I feel a little poetry got lost in the process but overall I'm relieved.
 
Well I'm taking German classes now, maybe by spring I'll try to read a german book, I was thinking it would be good to start with I book I had in english and knew fairly well, maybe this one.
 
Ronny said:
Well I'm taking German classes now, maybe by spring I'll try to read a german book, I was thinking it would be good to start with I book I had in english and knew fairly well, maybe this one.
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I think that would be perfect! And if you need help with your homework - you know who to ask.. :cool:
 
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