2009-03 – Perfume: The Story Of A Murderer
Perfume: The Story Of A Murderer – Patrick Suskind
Host: Curt
Whisky: Glendronach 12 y.o.
Rum: n/a
This was a cozy evening gathered around the fireplace. Brought in a couple extra armchairs and had a decent little circle for conversation.
The book for this month was ‘Perfume’. A translation from German. Lance later confirmed my suspicions that the translation was likely better than the original. The book was warmly received by all. Whether this was because of, or in spite of, the subject matter being beyond what would have been on most people’s “to read” radar is open to debate. Everyone was quite enamored with how sumptuous and descriptive the writing was. It is doubtlessly, a very visual book. Conversation on the book was focused mainly on the richness of Suskind’s language and the absurdity of this pseudo-fairytale.
I opted for three bottles of the same whisky, a Glendronach 12, which I later regretted. I should have branched out with a couple different ones. Alas…hindsight is 20/20. The Glendronach was…mediocre for a ~$50 bottle. Disappointing.
All things told…it was an enjoyable night.
Aside from Curt’s reprehensible taste in his scotch selection (took me half an hour with grade 2 sandpaper + a glass of Appleton to soothe my tongue), the evening was a reasonable success. “Perfume” had come across my radar as the book from which a movie I had seen had been adapted, so to read the words and view them through the prism of the film was intriguing. For a sense such as smell, it is extraordinary that the author conveyed the tactility and essence of it so well. (As an aside: I read the original German version and can confirm the writing is as good or better in that language – the translator to english was phenomenal)
If I had an issue with it, it’s what I called the hannibal Lecter thing: the villain of the piece is the “good guy” and a near superman. Strong, smarter than his adversaries, implacable and ultimately goes out his own way. I know that mankind’s myths resonate strongly with this kind of Nietzchian ubermensch, but I can’t say I enjoy it that much. I like my hjman protagonosits to be, well…human.
On the whole, an excellent selection, though, and sufficiently different to excite speculation, argument and thought.
Perfume…a very quirky and artistic book. Many authors use detailed imagery to paint pictures in the mind’s eye. Odd as it may be, this author has brought his world to life through vivid description of scent. Perfume’s vague, open-to-interpretation ending gave us plenty of material to start off the conversation.
The scotch: In agreement with Curt on this one. I can’t remember much about this whisky at all. Forgettable isn’t necessarily a quality you look for in a nice bottle of scotch.
The evening: Lots of good conversation, ranging from “what the hell happened?” and eventually branching off into writing styles and different genres of fiction. I believe this was the debut of our recurring topic “Get Curt Riled Up About Fuckin’ Star Trek”.
If only you knew what you were getting yourself into….
Bought three bottles of the same Scotch, which I later regretted. Should have branched out with a couple different ones. The one chosen was…mediocre for a ~$50 bottle
Fast forward 18 months, and consider what’s in the cabinet. Ouch!
Rewritten.