This might only warrant 5 stars from someone like me who is a perfume lover, but I think anyone who likes a good read could enjoy this. Not exactly a mystery, not exactly a thriller, it has elements of mystery, a bit of fantasy, some romance, intrigue coming from several directions at once, and plenty of olfactory adventure. Focusing on the search for an ancient formula for a perfume that can help the smeller recall past lives, the story moves back and forth from ancient Egypt to the late 1700's to modern day; from New York to Paris to China, and all the strands are seamlessly woven together. While I was reading this book, certain themes rang familiarly. Perfume, Paris, immortality, Tibetan holy men, an institute dedicated to finding the key to eternal life, a search to find a particular perfume formulation.......hmmmmm.I was thinking, "Well, this book is sort of boring, what would spice it up? How about a strong, independent female character; how about if we make her a Hindu woman on the run after refusing the suttee ritual.......now let's add a new male lead, a nice barbarian leader who is seeking immortality and has learned a thing or two already. Now, let's add.......the god Pan......only he will be invisible because no one worships him anymore, but he still smells pretty rank and needs some powerful fragrance to cover his foul miasma......"Anyone who reads The Book of Lost Fragrances should treat themselves to Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins afterwards. It will be like a sweet, delicious, delightful dessert after sitting through a long, overcooked very bland meal.
Do You like book O Livro Dos Perfumes Perdidos (2012)?
Not the usual mystery saga. Off the beaten path and very captivating
—Kurmongeon
