Patrick Süskind

In 1985 Patrick Süskind delivered a book which was the great surprise of modern German literature: a real world-wide best-seller from prosperous Bavaria by a little-known author, known more for his work in theatre and television. It is the story of a villainous genius in 18th-century Paris - an unusually demanding murder mystery and gothic tale of pungent allegoricality. In the era of amorous joie de vivre, one Jean-Baptiste Grenouille lives in Paris, capital of bad odours, the only person who has no odour at all, no scent-mark, while possessing a smelling organ which is all the more powerful. These are clearly the best preconditions for a fantastic career: he only needs to invent something to counteract the all-pervasive stink, and the world will be his oyster. Jean-Baptiste follows this career plan successfully, revolutionising the world of perfumes, but he still lacks a small but significant something for his happiness to be complete - he needs to be loved. In trying to obtain this by force Jean-Baptiste becomes a multiple murderer. A well conceived story well told, and one which deserves its success.

Patrick Süskind uses all the tools of gripping narrative: his text is built on the most important basic popular patterns - detective story, with a historical setting and a trivial-philosophical parable in one, briskly and purposefully told, and highly entertaining.

Shy of publicity and avoiding the media, the author lives in complete seclusion, which today only increases people's fascination with him. He has turned down prizes and all attempts to gain the film rights for his book have failed in the face of his imperturbable refusal.