Das Parfum. Die Geschichte eines Mörders
Süskind’s internationally best-known work and his only novel.
Author guide
Patrick Süskind Books in Order
Patrick Süskind was born in 1949 in Ambach, Bavaria. He studied medieval and modern history in Munich and Aix-en-Provence and initially supported himself by writing screenplays. His major works include the play Der Kontrabaß, the novel Das Parfum, the novellas Die Taube and Die Geschichte von Herrn Sommer, the collection Drei Geschichten, and the essay Über Liebe und Tod. He also co-wrote screenplays with Helmut Dietl, and his work has been translated into more than fifty languages.
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Die Taube
A concise novella that offers a direct introduction to his characteristic themes and style.
Outside the series
Bibliography by category
Novels (3)
- Das Parfum. Die Geschichte eines Mörders
novel · 1985
'Von Jean-Baptiste Grenouille, dem finsteren Helden, sei nur verraten, daß er 1738 in Paris, in einer stinkigen Fischbude, geboren wird. Die Ammen, denen das Kerlchen an die Brust gelegt wird, halten es nur ein paar Tage mit ihm aus: Er…
- Die Taube
novella · 1987
- Die Geschichte von Herrn Sommer
novella · 1991
"Zu der Zeit, als ich noch auf Bäume kletterte, lebte in unserem Dorf ein Mann mit Namen Herr Sommer. Kein Mensch wusste, wie Herr Sommer mit Vornamen hiess, und kein Mensch wusste auch, ob Herr Sommer einem Beruf nachging. Obwohl man…
Short fiction (1)
- Drei Geschichten
short-story-collection · 1995
Essays and speeches (1)
- Über Liebe und Tod
essay · 2006
Plays (3)
- Der Kontrabaß
play · 1984
- Rossini oder die mörderische Frage, wer mit wem schlief
screenplay · 1997
- Vom Suchen und Finden der Liebe
screenplay · 2005
Other (1)
- Ein Kampf
graphic-work · 2019
Historien handler om to mænd, der spiller skak i Jardin du Luxembourg i Paris. Den ene er en genial opkomling, den anden er en gammel mester fanget i sin egen måde at tænke på. Hvem giver publikum deres gunst til? Hvis konge falder først?
Frequently asked questions about Patrick Süskind
Who is Patrick Süskind?
Patrick Süskind is a German author and screenwriter best known internationally for his novel Perfume: The Story of a Murderer.
Where was Patrick Süskind born, and what did he study?
He was born in 1949 in Ambach, Bavaria, near Lake Starnberg. From 1968 to 1974, he studied medieval and modern history in Munich and Aix-en-Provence.
Sources: goethe.de (opens in a new tab)diogenes.ch (opens in a new tab)
How did Patrick Süskind begin his writing career?
He initially supported himself as a freelance screenwriter. His one-person play The Double Bass became an international success in 1980, and he later co-wrote television scripts with Helmut Dietl.
Sources: goethe.de (opens in a new tab)diogenes.ch (opens in a new tab)
What literary influences can be seen in Patrick Süskind’s writing?
Scholarly analysis connects Perfume’s postmodern pastiche and playful allusion with ideas from Horkheimer and Adorno’s Dialectic of Enlightenment and the historical method of the Annales school.
What awards did Patrick Süskind receive, and what is his literary legacy?
Perfume won the 1987 World Fantasy Award for Best Novel. Süskind’s international legacy is reflected in the novel’s worldwide success, translations into more than fifty languages, and film adaptation; he also declined several prizes, including the Tukan Prize and the F.A.Z. Literature Prize.
Sources: worldfantasy.org (opens in a new tab)diogenes.ch (opens in a new tab)literaturportal-bayern.de (opens in a new tab)