Lush Library discussion

Hello all, I just thought I'd start this thread straight away. I've noticed there have been some of you who have finished the group read book even before the actual month started in past months, and I don't want to deprive you of a place to discuss it.

I've only just started it, I did read it once before, but that was at least 15 years ago, so I don't remember it very clearly, only that I liked it.

Have fun reading and I'm looking forward to your thoughts.

I'm still waiting for my copy to arrive. If it arrives tomorrow then I'll start it then but if not then I'll start Alice:)

I've got my copy of Perfume, just going to try and finish Life of Pi tomorrow and then start on this one. Can't wait to see how it compares to the film, which was just beautiful.

Waiting for Alice to arrive too, it's coming from America, so might be another week yet.

I'll be starting Perfume in a couple of days, too. I'm just finishing From Dead to Worse, and then it's next on my list :) It's been in my TBR pile for a long time, so I'm looking forward to reading along!

I'll probably start in a few days, as I'm giving the braincell a fiction break, so I'll put this on my "next read" pile..

I read it about a year ago and really loved it. Grenouille is a great character.

I started reading this last night - so far, so good!

I'm not so sure about it. Parts of it I like, and other parts just don't grip me at all. For some reason, it reminds me a little of The Magic Toyshop. Perhaps because I felt the same way about that.

I'll persevere, though. I might end up liking it.

I'm about halfway through now, and I'm really enjoying it.

I still have to get the film, so I might be making a trip to the library this afternoon, I have to return some things anyway.

Sarah, I've never read The Magic Toyshop, but I heard about it and thought I might like it. if you compare it to this book, then I'll really have to have a look at it.

Only in that they both made me feel the same way. The plots are quite different, but they both have a similar sense of "wrongness" about them, if that makes sense?

Angela Carter is one of my favourite writers, and I do agree there's a similar feel about her books and this one. The writing style to Suskind here is different but they both write of the grotesque in beautiful prose. It's unusual to come across.

Morgaine_cat, I think you'll love the film too, it really shows the filth of living in 18th century Paris, in a way that's more truthful than any other I've seen. Very aesthetically shot too (as it's not all the filth of Paris). Beautiful film. I'm going to watch it again soon.

I'm really enjoying Perfume so far but going to put it on hold for a bit, as I need to start on Alice I Have Been, so I can start up the Spoiler Thread.

Sarah wrote: "Only in that they both made me feel the same way. The plots are quite different, but they both have a similar sense of "wrongness" about them, if that makes sense?"

thanks Sarah, but I understood that you didn't actually compare the plots or something. the book still sounds interesting to me, perhaps because I like the perfume so I hope I'll like the magic toyshop too.

Ness, I did see the film at cinema, but I want to re-watch it now with the book fresh in my mind. thank you though, I agree it's quite beautifully shot.

I finished the book this evening. I really loved reading it again, it's just so different.

I am really enjoying Perfume. It is a bit bizarre but I like the rawness of the characters and the way even if they are no longer part of the protagonists story. It means that there is a sense of closure/completion and I can focus on wondering about Grenouille.

As a side note I also like the dark cover and wish that I had been able to get a hb copy. Anyone read any of his other books?

This is one hell of a bizarre story, and I have to admit, I'm only *just* starting to warm to the main character. Got to admit, I wasn't hooked for a while, but I'm glad that I've persevered, as it's been rather interesting reading the descriptions of 18th Century Paris, and the obsession with the various perfumes, and the acutal skill that goes into making them. I've never seen the film, and am now wondering if I should make the attempt to track it down…

I felt like this, too. I wasn't over-interested at first, but I was increasingly gripped as it progressed. I've not seen the film, either, but I'm in two minds about trying to find it. Part of me worries that it won't be able to stand up to the book, which is so much about description and the senses. I can't help but think that the film must be a very different creature.

I started reading this a few days ago, I'm surprised how easy it is to read. It is beautifully written.

Sarah wrote: "I felt like this, too. I wasn't over-interested at first, but I was increasingly gripped as it progressed. I've not seen the film, either, but I'm in two minds about trying to find it. Part of me w..."

the film is quite good and very beautifully shot. some parts of it are very true to the book, while other things fall a bit short in my opinion. all in all I'd recommend it though. I don't want to be too specific here, but I'll try to put a description with a little more detail into the spoiler thread.

Sam (VanillaFountain) wrote: "I started reading this a few days ago, I'm surprised how easy it is to read. It is beautifully written."

I found that it has a really nice narrative flow. someone mentioned in their review that they didn't like the lack of dialogue which really surprised me, because I didn't actually notice that at all.

I didn't notice the lack of dialogue, either! Only now someone's mentioned it lol :)

I have watched many silent movies, so the lack of dialogue doesn't faze me at all. As long as the descriptions are good I'm quite happy, this is a very easy read :)