The novel "Perfumer", a brief summary of which is given in this article, is the most famous work of the German writer Patrick Suskind. Today, it is recognized as the most famous novel in German since Remarque. This is the story of a killer who combined genius and unprecedented vanity.
The duration of the novel
One of the most popular novels of the late 20th century is Perfumer. The summary of this work will allow you to better understand and feel the intent of the author.
Events unfold in France during the Enlightenment. In the courtyard of the XVIII century. German Patrick Suskind in "Perfumer" (a brief summary allows you to feel it) uses the recently adopted pseudo-historicism. He convinces the reader in every possible way that the described events really took place, makes him believe in the documentary of the plot. Although this is actually not the case. The author achieves this, giving the chronological accuracy of the narrative. Throughout the text you can find dates. The attentive reader can reproduce when all the important events of the work have occurred.
Talking about all the characters faced by the main character, the writer always indicates the time and describes with documentary accuracy the circumstances of their death. For example, the reader has the opportunity in real time to monitor the death of the tanner of Grimal, find out that the Marquis Tayad-Espinass disappeared in the mountains in 1764, and Madame Gaillard died only of old age in 1799.
The tragic death of Giuseppe Baldini is tied to a specific historical event - the beginning of the Seven Years War.
Scene "Perfumer"
In P. Süskind's "Perfumer" (a brief summary allows us to evaluate the entire scope of the work), the description of the scene serves the same effect - pseudo-historicism. It is noteworthy that the events of the novel are looped in space. The place where the narrative begins and ends coincides - this is the famous Parisian cemetery of the Innocent.
The main character moves only within France. In addition to Paris, events unfold in the province of Auvergne, on top of the extinct volcano Plon du Cantal, on the road to Montpellier, in the coastal town of Grasse.
The author pays great attention to detail when moving the hero. Describes in detail the situation, interiors.
Main character
Jean-Baptiste Grenouil - the protagonist of the novel "Perfumer". A summary of the book introduces you to this character in detail. This is the main villain, the antihero of this novel. No wonder the full name of Suskind's work is "Perfumer. The Story of a Murderer."
Summary allows you to get to know him fairly closely. Jean-Baptiste is a brilliant and talented perfumer who has developed an incredibly strong and subtle sense of smell, which allows him to achieve unprecedented heights in this profession. At the same time, he completely lacks his own smell, which helps him in his many bloodthirsty crimes.
First part
In Patrick Suskind's "Perfumer" (a brief summary allows you to follow the plot in detail) begins with a description of the hero's birth. The main character, Jean-Baptiste Grenouil, is born near the cemetery of the Innocent. He is an unwanted child, so the mother wants to get rid of him. But her criminal plan becomes known to others.
She is tried for infanticide and executed. The baby is in the care of the monastery. He is assigned a nurse, but she refuses him, because she claims that he smells differently from the rest of the children, and because of this he is obsessed with unclean forces.
As a result, the baby gets to the priest Terrier, but when the boy begins to sniff him familiarly, he sends the child to Madame Gaillard's shelter, away from himself.
Here Jean-Baptiste grows to 8 years. In the "Perfumer", in a brief summary, you can find out that his relationship with his peers did not initially develop. They considered him ugly and moronic. At the same time, amazing abilities open in it. For example, he can predict rain and move fearlessly in the dark.
It turns out that Grenui grows with a unique sense of smell. He is able to pick up even those smells that have no name. Once, in this way, he even looks for the money that the hostess of the shelter hid. After this incident, she gives it to the tanner as an apprentice.
First job
In the novel "Perfumer" a brief summary allows you to feel the difficulties that the hero encountered in a new place. Hard work, constant beatings, discontent of the owner. The only thing he finds comfort for himself is the study of new odors. And he is interested in all the aromas - both beautiful perfumes, and a terrible stink.
One day he will find out how beauty smells. Grenui meets a girl on the street who exudes amazing aromas, Jean-Baptiste wants to take possession of them. He hunts her down, strangles her, enjoys the smell, and hides herself in the dark.
It is then that he decides to become a perfumer. To do this, goes to the disciples to the master Baldini. With him, Grenouil comprehends the theory, explores the formulas, the ways in which the masters of those years "took" the aromas of flowers, using sublimation. Jean-Baptiste invents incredible perfumes, takes all the fame of Baldini to himself.
Disappointment for the main character is the fact that not every smell can be enclosed in a glass bottle. Jean-Baptiste receives a journeyman patent and begins to work independently.
The second part of
Left alone, Grenouil strives for Grasse, whose perfumers are famous for other secrets of excellence unknown. On the way, he lingers in a cave in which he enjoys solitude for several years.
It is there that he discovers an amazing thing - he himself does not smell at all. Therefore, he decides to invent special perfumes so that people cease to consider him an outcast.
The novel "Perfumer" (a brief summary of the chapters is given in this article) tells that soon Grenoui is under the auspices of the Marquis Tayad-Espinassa. He believes that he is able to make a real man out of Jean-Baptiste, despite the fact that he went wild for several years alone. This is what happens, but only thanks to the special spirits that Grenouille invents. They contain pieces of cheese and feline excrement.
The third part
Jean-Baptiste gets to Grasse. So begins the next part of the novel "Perfumer". The summary describes how he apprenticed to the widow of Arnulfi.
Soon he meets another amazing fragrance, which this time comes from the young Laura, who plays in the garden. Grenui is sure that he has found the main component for his new spirits, which should become his main creation. It is a fragrance of beauty that inspires love for every person.
For two years he has been studying how to get the smell of human skin and hair. Jean-Baptiste discovers that the smell is best perceived by the fabric, which must be treated with fat. To get this smell, Green will have to kill. Young girls begin to disappear in the city. There is no connection between them. They are united by only one thing - they are all unusually beautiful. They are found naked and shaved bald.
Only the father of Laura guesses the true motives of the serial killer. He understands that the criminal is hunting for beauty, and since his daughter is the most beautiful in the city, he fears that sooner or later the line will reach her. Rishi takes the girl to a remote island, but this does not save her. After all, Grenouille seeks its victims by smell.
Exposing Grenow
Finally, Grenuy receives the last note for his spirits. But as soon as he finishes work, he is arrested.
Jean-Baptiste is sentenced to death. Laura's father is looking forward to the execution of the killer by casting. He visits Grenouin in prison, describing the torment awaiting him.
Before the execution itself, the main character suddenly takes out a bottle of perfume invented by him, as soon as the executioners feel their aroma, they just give up. They release Jean-Baptiste. The aroma spreading over the crowd captivates the inhabitants who came to see the execution of the monstrous killer. It excites carnal passion in people. They begin to seek satisfaction right in the square, everything grows into a mass orgy. Grenuy is in the midst of the crowd, struck by the effect that his amazing spirits have produced.
The last to rise on the platform is Laura’s father, who recognizes him as a son and forgives for all sins. Taking advantage of the madness surrounding him, Grenuy quickly hides.
When the scent dissipates, everyone finds themselves naked in each other's arms. They embarrassedly dress and diverge. Behind the scenes, they decide to forget about it.
Fourth part
In the final part of the novel, Grenouille leaves the city, now realizing what power he has. He is sure that if he wants, he can become a god. And all thanks to the perfume. But one fact saddens him. Among all who worship him, there will not be a single person who could appreciate the true beauty of the fragrance he invented.
In Paris, he returns to the cemetery of the Innocent, where he was born. Vagabonds and thieves are sitting around the fire. Grenui sprinkles himself with his amazing perfumes, blinded by the attraction to him, people tear him to pieces, simply devouring the remains of the perfumer. This is the disappointing ending of his life.