2011/06/04

Perfume, the Story of a Murderer (Patrick Suskind)




The title didn't attract me at all. I rather disliked reading it since I don't know why, but it reminded me of luxury goods. Up until a few chapters, I had trouble understanding the story. Basically it's a translated book and the author uses many lengthy and descriptive sentences. I couldn't stand it. But I have a habit: once I start a book, I have to finish it. In the end, I was fascinated by the author's creative genius. 
I especially liked the following part. It shows the protagonist Grenouille's  abominable obsession with scent. Such a mad man! A soulless serial killer! 
It's not murder, but a part of his quest for making perfect scent. 
No pity or carnal desire involved in the process of homicides.  
It is depicted as if a talented master completes his/her work with every ounce of energy.


He did not cast a single glance at the bed to rest his eyes on her at least once in his life. Her form did not interest him. She no longer existed for him as a body, but only as a disembodied scent.
그의 인생에서 최소한 한번만이라도 그녀의 모습을 눈으로 보기 위해서, 그는 그녀의 침대쪽으로 눈길 한번 보내지 않았다. 그녀의 모습에 그는 아무런 흥미도 느끼지 못했다. 그녀의 모습은 그에게 더 이상 육체로 존재하는 것이 아니라 단지 육체 없는 향기일 뿐이다.

Antoine Watteau / Jupiter and Antiope



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