Read Any Good Books Lately?

[robr]

Andy,

Cormac McCarthy is Faulkner in Texas. He's very difficult, but a genuine poet. I've read the Border Trilogy novels, but not "Blood Meridian".

As far as "Perfume", I did not read the illustrated edition. I would like to see that! It is one of the most bizzare and fascinating novels I've ever read. The main character has a supernormal sense of smell. He can discern all kinds of subtle truths about people, about life, based on what they smell like, but he has no body odor at all himself, and is quite ugly and nondescript, so walks around virtually invisible.

He becomes an expert at mimicking very expensive perfumes due to his ability to identify every single ingredient simply by smelling it. Soon he is creating new scents which drive people crazy, and makes a ton of money for his employer. His employer dies, and he goes out on his own, and this is where the story starts to get really wierd. I don't want to ruin it by telling you the entire story. It's a great book, and in the right hands, it might make a great film. If Susskind never writes another novel like it, he will be forever remembered for this one.


[This message has been edited by bernkastler (edited 03-15-2006).]