Commentary/review

A biography of a perfume – a perfumography? An amazing, richly written story of a wild conception of an original scent and its perseverance with the aid of good, if often risky, management. The sheer number of images is dazzling: gardens and monasteries, hotels and restaurants, spinsters and families, soldiers and socialites, court disputes and romance, partnerships and espionage, nature and laboratory, all with amazing attention to detail. Sharply intelligent, erudite and passionate, by far the best book I have read so far in 2026. I had to stop so many times to look up references. Expertly read, providing real knowledge, fun and pleasure.

Gorgeous cover. Why is this neon pallette such a good choice – no idea. I can praise this production to no end.

Cover photo by Pavlo Talpa on Unsplash