Has anyone read perfume?

Don't get me wrong, I wasn't complaining that it lacked meaning. I just think it was one of those books where you're supposed to be impressed by the philosophical implications of the story like some sort of fable. But unfortunately I didn't think that really worked and didn't like the story either, and most importantly, I thought it was far from beautifully written it just read like totally overwrought prose. Like a room that is decorated entirely in gilt and velvet and fake marble in the name of "exquisite taste".

But hey, no book makes everyone happy and I appreciate it has a lot of devoted fans ...

that's the thing, it's a story that ends shit.

the end just lets it down and seems like a big acid trip. a lame one.

I loved it.

Read it in German whilst at uni and enjoyed it. So what if it's unbelievable? Suspend your disbelief!

I don't always want some deep meaning in books... I just wanna read a story.

We were watching a film documentary thing the other day and they were analysing every little detail. Me n DH decided that that is why we can happily watch crap films - we don't analyse

I totally lost any 'meaning' - just a beautifully written (and translated) book. Didn't feel that it was trying to 'tell me' anything except the story (do I need a ?).

read it years ago, thought it was a bit unbelievable but a good read

sorry just to clarify, I am still talking about Perfume and not any of the other titles people have mentioned on the thread!

sorry just to clarify, I am still talking about Perfume and not any of the other titles people have mentioned on the thread!

Have to add my two cents here because I thought it was terribly overrated too, but have never met anyone else who agreed! What a relief to find I'm not totally alone. I think the basic idea of the book has a lot of promise, but it's so appallingly overwritten, and the plot is so lame and it's so self-consciously 'meaningful' ... aargh. Pants. Total pants masquerading as important modern fiction.

Lol at burning it Expat. I did that with Emma Tenant's "Pemberley" which made me so angry that I shredded each page into tiny little crumbs of crap masquerading as "literature" first.

I like the idea of reviews that say what else the reader has enjoyed. Eg: if anybody said they liked "We Need To talk About Kevin" I would be duty bound to seriously doubt any opion they ever uttered - sorry, that is very judgemental of me and I am (at least three quarters) joking.

'I think book recommendations should come with a list of books the person who is recommending the book also likes...'

What a genius idea! I couldn't agree more.

I hear people repeatedly rating 'The Lovely Bones' so highly, but I have to say it's the only book I've actually burned - on a campfire - because I thought it was such bollocks I didn't want to pass it on and inflict it on someone else's unsuspecting psyche.

I read almaost anything... but Perfume is up there with that dan Brown(?) book the name of which escapes me now... but, anyway, I just couldn't read it... I did read the alchemist by Paulo Coelho and I enjoyed it... does that help?

I think book recommendations should come with a list of books the person who is recommending the book also likes...

Perfume wouldn't be on my list of good books.

I read it about a year ago.

Very well-written, very sensual.

But I did feel the end let it down.

I read it in my teens and liked it. Not sure if I would like it now, about 20 years later.

is this the same book-come-film? Saw the film last year, and it was interesting and a bit inconsistent. My friend who I saw the film with had read it, and thought it was a bit poor..more film-worthy than book worthy. in her modest opinion.

Mentioned Pi because I think its a perfect example of good writing overcoming/carrying an utterly fanciful story and making it believable ...well, for susceptible souls such as myself anyway ...

I'm one hour ahead of UK too (Brussels) so off to bed and next chapter of 'Black Swan Green' (reserving judgement so far).

no, I liked it so little in the bookshop, that I didnt buy it, so havent read all of it.

I also dont like magical realism - if you studied science, then you'd probably spot the crap in books like Parfum as well!
the author lives in Mu nic h near us, so is a bit of a local celeb.

Understand where you are coming from but think I approach bks from totally opp direction . Being completely non-scientific myself I don't worry about factual elements, just like being lost in the descriptive/sensual/fanciful aspects. (Wierdly though, don't like magical realism [hmmm].)

On the other hand, I do get miffed when I'm distracted by a creaky plot.

Did you like Life Of Pi?

Counting, that is an interesting question. JKRowling manages to pull off breaking every rule in teh book, Perfum doesnt.

I think its about how the author tells the story. I dont mind a story going to outrageous flights of fantasy, as long as it all hangs together in the story, and the "rules" are clearly stated. But when the author writes about something that is scientifically impossible, and doesnt present any good explanation about why its possible in his/her book, then the book just loses its appeal. Another big turn-off is when the author marvels, or makes a big philosophical point, about something that has a simple scientific explanation.

Infact, getting my dander up now, I have read 1000s of books, across all genres, and been a reader professionally in my past, and if I had to choose one book, just one book, that I thought was TRULY overrated, it would be Perfume.

Oh dear, getting overwrought. Off to lurk on another topic ...

Each to their own NighbyNight but since when does a work of fiction - ie something made up - have to be factually correct in terms of biology, physics and chemistry?

[bet you hate it] heckler scuttles away into a dusty corner

´well another way of putting it, is that it probably appeals to Paulo Coehlo fans.