The best perfume book I’ve ever read. And I’ve read quite a few of them over the years.
Perfume by Megan Volpert satisfied so much of what I want in perfume writing: part autobiographical (how do we even talk about perfume without expressing why it moved us), thoroughly research, this book contextualizes our love of perfume. Volpert touches on everything from Japanese Kodo ritual to Egyptian Kyphi, perfume in literature, and perfume in philosophy. She also mentions perfume ingredients (vetiver!), but also touches on the perfumes she’s loved. Like all of us who are crazy about perfume, she tried to introduce scented plants into her home (I planted lavender this year too so I can relate) and ventured into creating scents for herself and friends and family.
What I loved was that she saw perfume as an extension of her aesthetic and wore it proudly (yes, even to work) instead of timidly as some may do. I also sometimes wear perfume as a way of introducing myself. If nothing else, people who know me know that they can always get my attention by asking about that perfume.
Go read this.
My local library had it and I’ve returned it now.
