Perfume

by Luigi Capuana

The novel, which was published in 1891, was previously published by the Anthology in 1890. In this book the influences of Zola naturalism are evident and also the elements inspired by the physiology and pathology though Capuana seems to return to the heart of his inspiration, that is psychological investigation. Capuana goes back to his characters' childhood and their psychology but he also describes regional scenes and images.This is the central novel in the literary path of Capuana. In Perfume he focuses on the sense of smell. At the heart of the story, which takes place between a young married couple disturbed by the bothering presence of his mother, there is a perfume of mysterious origin. It tells of a young woman, Eugenia, whose skin, for some kind of mystical chemical and pathological nervous phenomenon, gives off a charming and heady fragrance of orange blossoms in answer to the presence of her motherinlaw Gertude , who prevents her son from loving Eugenia with a full and adult love, her young wife. But the 'scented crisis' do not seem to stop her motherinlaw even after her death.

199 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1892

About the author

Luigi Capuana was an Italian author and journalist and one of the most important members of the Verist movement. He was a contemporary of Giovanni Verga, both having been born in the province of Catania within a year of each other. He was also one of the first authors influenced by the works of Émile Zola, French author and creator of Naturalism.

Reviews

[Carlo Mascellani · Rating 3 out of 5]

È un dramma della gelosia assai particolare, una tragedia silenziosa in cui non entrano amanti di sorta, ma una madre e una moglie che si contendono l'amore del figlio/marito e il suddetto figlio/marito che cerca di conciliare entrambe e, una volta orfano, si vede insidiato da continui rimorsi. È una storia di perdita e lenta, sofferta riconquista d'un equilibrio che, tuttavia, appare sempre instabile. È, in un certo senso, un breve romanzo di formazione che narra la lenta crescita del protagonista Patrizio, l'abbandono della tenera età che sembrava ancora ispirare la sua vita, il timido accostarsi all'età adulta. Ma quanta sofferenza da ambo le parti... Ma quanti dubbi vi sia infine riuscito appieno...

[_Erica_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I sentimenti repressi di una giovane coppia di sposi cosa può portare?!… a tanti pensieri e dolori a causa anche della madre di lui e la nuora che capisce di non essere accettata da essa. Una lettura coinvolgente che fa capire molte cose.