10 Best Books That Revolve Around The Sense Of Smell

The topic we are touching today is quite unusual from the topics we have previously touched. Today’s listed books or say novels are all different but with one common thing and that is “sense of smell”. Here is a list of 10 best books that revolve around the sense of smell.

Perfume by Patrick Suskind

This grotesque story follows an orphan, Grenouille, who has a prodigious sense of smell but does not have a smell himself. So, in order to craft his own smell, he sets out to create the perfect perfume. For this, he goes on a murder spree to capture the scent of virgin girls. With elements of horror and romanticism, this book is a mix of Dickens and Dorian Gray.

The Perfume Collector by Kathleen Tessaro

This book follows the life of Grace Monroe, who thwarts everyone’s expectations of fitting into a London socialite society. When an unexpected inheritance forces her to delve into the story of Paris’s greatest perfumer Eva, her life changes. She is no longer afraid to be who she is, and Eva’s legacy will inevitably inspire her own.

The Book of Lost Fragrances by M.J Rose

Jac Etoile, our protagonist, has a mysterious connection with scents, as the heiress of a great perfume company. When she leaves for America, she thinks she has left her past behind. But her brother, after a genius discovery in the family archives is killed, and she must plunge into the heart of her family business again.

Smell by Radhika Jha

This postcolonial diaspora narrative is the story of a young woman, Leena, who moves to Paris after her father’s death. Here, suffocated by her aunt and uncle, she uses her prodigious sense of smell to rise through the ranks as a culinary master. Through the evocative use of the sense of smell, Jha discusses themes of xenophobia, racism, tradition.

The Scent Keeper by Erica Bauermeister

In this lyrical ode to the sense of smell, Emmeline lives on an idyllic island with her father. Her father teaches her about the natural world full of intoxicating scents, but never tells her about the secret stash of perfume bottles in his drawer. Her curiosity can’t be contained for long, however. It will thrust her into the real world devoid of her father’s protection.

Nectar by Lily Prior

At the centre of this fantasy romance is Ramona, a woman made exquisite by her scent. All men adore her, all women despise her – because of her fabulous scent. But a series of unfortunate events rid her of her scent, and she returns to her home without sensual prowess or the ability to attract. All that is left for her is divine justice.

Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins

This fantasy classic follows a janitor with a very old bottle of perfume, on which is embossed the image of an animal-god. People say the bottle contains the secret of the universe, but no one knows for sure. With four different storylines that converge through the course of this scintillating book, this one’s a postmodern masterpiece.

The Perfume Garden by Kate Lord Brown

Emma, the perfumer protagonist of this study, according to the instructions her mother leaves behind, leaves her job and comes to Valencia. Here, her task is to restore a perfume garden destroyed during war back to its original glory. But as she begins the task, she begins to get sucked into her grandmother’s story of adventure, war and family.

Perfume Therapy by Kirsty McManus

In this women’s chick-lit, Chloe leaves for a holiday in Thailand with many potential disasters threatening to unfold around her. But instead, she meets a perfumer, who introduces her to the wild and sensuous world of scents. From his staff to her ex, they have a bunch of obstacles – but nothing a good scent cannot overcome.

Bare Essence by Meredith Rich

Through the vivid characterization of a young and pampered girl in search of her identity, Rich paints an olfactory portrait of love, lust, greed and power. Tracing the lives of people behind the perfume industry, this historical fiction sets itself apart due to its motif of scent. The romance is also sensual, due to this motif.

Also Read: Famous Writers Who Died in 2021 | Writers Who Left Us In Year 2021