Book Review: ‘The Perfumist of Paris’ by Alka Joshi

Book Title: The Perfumist of Paris
Author: Alka Joshi
Publisher: HarperCollins India
Number of Pages: 352
ISBN: 978-9356993723
Date Published: Jul. 12, 2023
Price: INR 345

Book Review

The intriguing finale to the Jaipur Trilogy is “The Perfumist of Paris” by Alka Joshi, which immerses readers in a world of aromatic creativity and personal metamorphosis against the backdrop of Paris in the 1970s. The main character of “The Henna Artist,” Radha, starts a new chapter in her life when she moves to Paris and realizes that fragrance is her actual love. She also starts a path of creative discovery.

The story continues as follows: In 1974, Radha, a thirty-two-year-old Parisian living with her husband Pierre and their kids, works at a perfumer’s store and develops a fondness for smells. She collaborates with her friend’s granddad and creates fresh scents for customers. Radha’s first significant undertaking is to go to India in order to serve as a courtesan and woo a son. But she finds that the son is endangering both her marriage and her well-run household.

The rich background of Parisian perfume and art perfectly captures Radha’s journey into the realm of perfumery. Radha creates customized perfumes influenced by the aromas of the city—blooming flowers, busy markets, and secret courtyards—all of which support her creative development. Alka Joshi’s painstaking study is evident in this process.

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The book explores themes of love, aspiration, and creative satisfaction while following Radha as she faces obstacles in her personal and professional life. Radha returns to India in search of direction from her sister Lakshmi and the Agra courtesans. Amidst the colorful tapestry of India, she discovers the missing piece of her creative jigsaw.

Alka Joshi transports readers on Radha’s voyage of self-realization and metamorphosis via her vivid narrative. Joshi’s writing style allows readers to vividly feel every aspect of Radha’s world, from the intricacies of Parisian life to the moving details of perfume-making.

In addition to being a gripping conclusion to the Jaipur Trilogy, “The Perfumist of Paris” demonstrates Joshi’s skill at telling complex stories that are realistic and emotionally charged.

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