"Perfume" follows a serial killer who develops an obsession with scents. Upon discovering that he himself has no natural odor, he creates perfumes using grotesque ingredients including deceased animal remains, rotting food, and horrifically, body parts from murdered young girls. These concoctions grant him an almost supernatural ability to manipulate others, perhaps due to his own lack of scent.

The story powerfully illustrates humanity's capacity for darkness, with the protagonist himself acknowledging his monstrous nature. In many ways, he embodies evil itself. The writing is simultaneously beautiful and horrifying, leaving me muttering "WTF" every few pages. It's possibly the most beautifully written yet disturbing book I've ever read.

While I was drawn into the story, I had some major issues with it. The way young victims are described is very uncomfortable and unnecessary. It's also frustrating that the killer only gets caught after killing someone from a wealthy family - what about all the other victims? Lastly, I really disliked the character Richis, who treats his daughter in very disturbing ways throughout the book.