Patrick Zuskind, "Perfume": a summary

The novel "Perfume", the summary of which is given in this article, is the most famous work of the German writer Patrick Zuskind. Today he is recognized as the most famous novel in German since Remarque. This is a story of a murderer, combining genius and unprecedented vanity.

The duration of the novel

One of the most popular novels of the late XX century - "Perfume." The brief content of this work will allow you to better understand and feel the author's intention.

Events unfold in France in the era of the Enlightenment. In the courtyard of the XVIII century. German Patrick Ziusskind in "Perfume" (a brief summary allows one to feel it) uses the pseudo-historicism that has been popular recently. In every possible way he convinces the reader that the events described have actually taken place, makes one believe in the documentary nature of the plot. Although this is actually not the case. The author achieves this by giving chronological accuracy to the narrative. In the text everywhere you can meet dates. An attentive reader can reproduce when all important events of the work have occurred.

Talking about all the characters faced by the protagonist, 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 follow the death of the tanner of Grimal, learn that the Marquis of Tayad-Espinass disappeared in the mountains in 1764, and Madame Gaillard died only from old age in 1799.

The tragic death of Giuseppe Baldini is tied to a specific historical event - the beginning of the Seven Years' War.

The scene of the "Perfume"

In P. Ziuskind's "Perfume" (a brief summary allows you to assess the full scale 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 protagonist moves only within France. In addition to Paris, the events unfold in the province of Auvergne, on top of the extinct volcano of Ploen du Cantal, on the road to Montpellier, in the seaside town of Grasse.

The author pays great attention to detail when moving the hero. Detail describes the situation, interiors.

Main character

Jean-Baptiste Grenouille - the main character of the novel "Perfume." The brief content of the book introduces you in detail to this character. This is the main villain, the anti-hero of this novel. Not in vain the full title of the work of Suskind - "Perfume: The Story of a Murderer".

The brief content allows you to get to know him closely enough. Jean-Baptiste is a genius and talented perfumer who has an incredibly strong and subtle sense of smell that 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 Zuskind's "Perfume" (a brief summary allows you to trace the plot in detail) begins with a description of the birth of the hero. The main character Jean-Baptiste Grenouille is born near the Innocent cemetery. He is an unwanted child, so the mother wants to get rid of him. But her criminal intent becomes known to others.

She is tried on charges of infanticide and executed. The baby is in the care of the monastery. He is assigned a wet nurse, but she refuses him, since she claims that it does not smell like 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 his familiarity, he sends the child to Madame Gayar's orphanage, away from himself.

Here Jean-Baptiste grows up to 8 years. In "Perfumes", in a brief summary, you can find out that he did not initially have a relationship with his peers. They considered him ugly and feeble-minded. In this case, it opens amazing abilities. For example, he can predict the rain and fearlessly move in the dark.

It turns out that Grenouille grows with a unique sense of smell. He is able to catch even those smells that have no name. Once in such a way he even looks for money that the mistress of the shelter hid. After this incident, she gives his tanner to the apprentice.

First job

In the novel "Perfume", a brief summary allows you to experience the difficulties that the hero encountered in a new place. Hard work, constant beatings, discontent of the owner. The only thing he finds consolation for is learning new smells. And he is interested in all the flavors - and beautiful perfume, and a terrible stench.

One day he will know how the beauty smells. Grenouille meets a girl on the street, who exudes amazing aromas, Jean-Baptiste wishes to take them. He traces it, strangles it, enjoys the smell and disappears uncaught.

That's when he decides to become a perfumer. For this he goes to the disciples to the master Baldini. He Grenuy comprehends the theory, explores the formulas, the ways by which masters of those years "took away" the flavors of flowers, using sublimation. Jean-Baptiste invents incredible spirits, Baldini takes all the glory for himself.

Disappointment for the main character is the fact that not every scent can be enclosed in a glass bottle. Jean-Baptiste receives an apprenticeship patent and begins to work independently.

The second part

Left alone, Grenouille aspires to Grasse, whose perfumers are famous for unknown secrets of other skills. 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, decides to invent special spirits, so that people no longer consider him an outcast.

The novel "Perfume" (a summary of the chapters given in this article) tells us that soon Grenouille is under the auspices of the Marquis of Ta'ad Espinasse. He believes that he is able to make a real man from Jean-Baptiste, despite the fact that he ruled 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 reaches Grasse. So the next part of the novel "Perfume" begins. The summary describes how he is an apprentice to the widow of Arnulfi.

Soon he meets another amazing aroma, which this time comes from the young Laura, who plays in the garden. Grenouille is sure that he found the main component for his new spirits, which should become his main creation. It is a fragrance of beauty, inspiring each person love.

Two years he studies how to get the smell of human skin and hair. Jean-Baptiste finds out that the smell is best perceived by the tissue, which must be treated with fat. To get this smell, Grenuu has to be killed. Young girls begin to disappear in the city. There is no connection between them. They are united by only one thing - they are all extremely beautiful. They are found naked and shaved nalyso.

Only the father of Laura guessed 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 turn will reach her. Rishi takes the girl to a remote island, but it does not save her. After all, Grenouille is looking for its victims by smell.

Exposing Grenouille

Finally, Grenouille receives the last note for his spirits. But as soon as he finishes his work, he is arrested.

Jean-Baptiste is sentenced to death. Laura's father looks forward to the execution of the killer with a wheel. He visits Grenouille in prison, describing the torment that awaits him.

Before the execution itself, the protagonist suddenly takes out a bottle of spirits invented by him, as soon as the executioners feel their fragrance, they just drop their hands. They free Jean-Baptiste. The fragrance spreading over the crowd fascinates the inhabitants who came to see the execution of the monstrous murderer. He arouses in people a carnal passion. They start looking for satisfaction right on the square, everything turns into mass orgy. Grenouille is in the middle of the crowd, amazed at the effect his amazing spirits have produced.

The last to rise on the platform is Laura's father, who recognizes his son and forgives him for all his sins. Taking advantage of the insanity surrounding him, Grenouille quickly disappears.

When the fragrance dissipates, everyone reveals themselves stripped of each other's arms. Embarrassed dress and diverge. Tacitly they decide to forget about it.

Fourth part

In the final part of the novel Grenouille leaves the city, realizing now what power it possesses. He is sure that if he wants, he can become a god. And all thanks to the spirits. But one fact grieves him. Among all who will worship him, there will not be a single person who could truly appreciate the real beauty of the fragrance he invented.

In Paris, he returns to the Innocent's cemetery, where he was born. At the campfire sit vagrants and thieves. Grenouille sprinkles himself with his amazing spirits, blinded by the attraction to him, people tear him to pieces, simply devouring the remains of the perfumer. Such is the unfavorable ending of his life.