This book came up in my recommendations on Amazon.com. More info here:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1845111893/ref=pe...109290_pe_ar_t2

Sounds like it might be an interesting read about early perfumery as well as historical perspective for the French Revolution. The editorial reviews sound good. But thought I'd check and see if anyone here has read it or has any info on it.

It's a brilliant read. I have read it about 3 times now and still love it. It is the biography of Jean-Louis Fargeon, the perfumer to Marie Antoinette and basically puts the mockers on the story that Houbigant was the perfumer of choice for MA. I know that quite a few of our members have read and enjoyed this book. The author is a gifted writer and also a teacher at the perfumery school in Versailles as well as an advisor to various perfume houses.

A perfume was brought out by the Palais de Versailles which was the recreation of a certain scent described in the book. The perfume, MA Sillage de la Reine, is not cheap.

DSH also has a range of fragrances out inspired by the book, I started a thread about it last week. This is the link to it.

http://perfumeoflife.com/index.php?showtopic=26462&hl=

Barry

Thank you, Barry, for the feedback. I hadn't realized your previous thread was tied to this book. The reviews there sound good. I may pick up a copy for reading.

Hoos I also started a thread about it a while back; it is very interesting indeed, if a slender tome.

Here is Fiordiligi's thread.

http://perfumeoflife.com/index.php?showtopic=25896&hl=

Sorry Hoos, I must admit that the title of the other thread wasn't really about this book.

Barry

Wow, thanks for mentioning this here. Historical fiction (and nonfiction) is my favorite genre. I read the Sena Jeter Naslund book about Marie Antoinette last year, but what could be more interesting for a perfume addict than this?! Perfume + French Revolution? Mon Dieux :-) I'm definitely ordering the book and will report back after reading.

I haven't tried DSH Perfumed Court scents yet but I think DSH is incredibly gifted in general. She makes my favorite rose fragrance in the world: American Beauty.

And Jitterbug Perfume is wonderful. And Oiellets Rouges. And Celadon Green....(and I'm not a big fan of soft green fragrances but this one is breathtaking)

The author, Elisabeth de Feydeau, also has a blog in French:
http://elisadefeydeau.wordpress.com/

The historical reviews tend to be stuff any perfumista worth his/her salt knows about, but she's got access to perfumers and interviews them regularly. Plus she's a sweetie.

I enjoyed it a lot. Reminds me a bit of Tracey Chevalier's historical fiction.

I am holding The Scented Palace in my hand right now and can see how the Prince would have read it 3 times. It is very rich and wonderful. I hope you get it, you will not be disappointed.
Dorothy of Kingsbury

Thanks all for the wonderful info. I'm a big fan of historical/biographical works (currently reading Alison Weir's "Queen Isabella" - Edward II's wife), in addition to perfume. This sounds like a good addition to my library.

I'll put it on my list!

Agreed- it's a very intriguing book.