Literary · Horror
Perfume
Bestseller: about 15 million copies (estimate)Born with no scent of his own but an extraordinary sense of smell, Jean-Baptiste Grenouille grows up in eighteenth-century France obsessed with capturing the perfect scent, and willing to kill to do it.
Facts last checked 2026-10-16
- First published
- 1985
- Pace
- Medium
- Length
- Short
- Pages
- 263
- Format
- Standalone
Read this if you want a strange, lush, grotesque fable with a chilling antihero and rich sensory writing.
Skip this if you want a protagonist with any empathy, or violence against young women is a line for you.
The feel
Content warnings
Also reported by Hardcover readers:
Quick answers about Perfume
- What is Perfume about?
- Born with no scent of his own but an extraordinary sense of smell, Jean-Baptiste Grenouille grows up in eighteenth-century France obsessed with capturing the perfect scent, and willing to kill to do it.
- Who should read Perfume?
- Read it if you want a strange, lush, grotesque fable with a chilling antihero and rich sensory writing. Skip it if you want a protagonist with any empathy, or violence against young women is a line for you.
- How long and how fast is Perfume?
- It is a medium-paced, short read of about 263 pages, first published in 1985.
- Does Perfume have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Violence, Death, Sexual assault.
- Can I borrow Perfume for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends Perfume; the borrow button above searches it for you.
- What should I read after Perfume?
- Readers who liked it often move on to The Silence of the Lambs, The Picture of Dorian Gray, The Shadow of the Wind.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Bookshop.org | Check price | Buy new from Bookshop.org |
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
| Google Play Books | Check price | Buy ebook from Google Play Books |
| Audiobook | ||
| Libro.fm | Check price | Buy audiobook from Libro.fm |
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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If you loved Perfume
-
The Silence of the Lambs Another story that looks closely at a killer's mind, though as a faster thriller.
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The Picture of Dorian Gray A classic about beauty and moral decay, in more elegant, less grotesque form.
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The Shadow of the Wind Another European novel built on atmosphere and obsession, with more warmth.
Literary
