The Perfumist of Paris Summary
The Perfumist of Paris is the final installment in Alka Joshi's Jaipur trilogy, following the successful Reese's Book Club Pick, The Henna Artist. Set in 1970s Paris, this audiobook takes listeners on a journey with Radha, a mother of two and a passionate perfumer, as she navigates the demands of her family, the secrets of her past, and the challenges of building her career.
Radha lives in Paris with her husband, Pierre, and their two daughters, but still grieves for the baby boy she gave up years ago when she was just a child herself. She has found her calling in perfumery and works for a master perfumer, designing new fragrances for clients and building her career one scent at a time. However, Pierre struggles to understand her passion for work and the demands it places on their family.
When Radha is given her first major project, she travels to India to seek inspiration and enlists the help of her sister, Lakshmi, and the courtesans of Agra. These women use fragrance to seduce and entice, and Radha is on the verge of a breakthrough when she learns that the son she never told her husband about is coming to Paris to find her.
The arrival of her son upends Radha's carefully managed world and threatens to destroy her vulnerable marriage. She must navigate the complexities of her past, the demands of her family, and the challenges of building her career to find a way forward.
Narrated by Sneha Mathan, this audiobook transports listeners to the vibrant streets of Paris and the exotic world of India. Mathan's performance captures the emotional depth and complexity of Radha's journey, bringing to life the fragrances and scents that play a central role in the story.
With themes of motherhood, identity, and the transformative power of scent, The Perfumist of Paris is a richly imagined and deeply satisfying conclusion to Alka Joshi's Jaipur trilogy.
