Big Read: Perfume by Patrick Süskind
Wed 19 April, 2023
11:00 am - 12:00 pm BST
Hybrid Event
Free – £4.00Perfume, the highly popular novel by the German writer, Patrick Süskind, was published in 1985. The novel, described both as fantasy and a thriller, explores the consequences of the protagonist’s prodigious ability to recognise scents. This informal discussion will be led by Sabine Purshouse.
Things to think about while you’re reading:
- Grenouille is described as “one of the most gifted and abominable personages in an era that knew no lack of gifted and abominable personages”. What is his “gift”? Why does he become “abominable”?
- What does Grenouille learn in Paris, in the Massif Central and in Grasse?
- What does the metaphor of Grenouille as a tick reveal about his character?
- What motivates Grenouille to commit all the murders?
- Does the setting of the novel in the eighteenth century, the Age of Reason, challenge a reassessment of ourselves as rational beings?
Big Read is FREE to BRLSI members – if you’d like to become a member of BRLSI and get cheaper tickets to all of our talks plus other member benefits, go to our Membership page.
Non-members are also very welcome.
If you’d like to join in with this discussion you can come to 16 Queen Square or watch online – please get your ticket via the Book Tickets button or just turn up for the 11am start.
