Suskind's novel provokes a terrifying examination of what happens when one man's indulgence in his greatest passion--his sense of smell--leads to murder. In the slums of 18th-century France, an infant is born with one sublime gift--an absolute sense of smell. But he is not satisfied with the perfume of flowers, he becomes obsessed with an ever-more-terrifying quest to create the "ultimate perfume"--the scent of a beautiful young virgin. A haunting tale of murder and sensual depravity.