Aroma: The Cultural History of Smell

by Constance Classen, David Howes, Anthony Synnott

Smell is a social phenomenon, given particular meanings and values by different cultures. Odours form the building blocks of cosmologies, class hierarchies, and political odours. They can enforce social structures or transgress them, unite people or divide them, empower or disempower. The authors argue that the sociology of smell is repressed in the modern West, and its social history ignored. This book breaks the "olfactory silence" of modernity. It offers the first comprehensive exploration of the cultural role of odours in Western history - from antiquity to the present. It also covers a wide variey of non-Western societies. Its topics range from the medieval concept of the "odour of sanctity", to the aromatherapies of South America, and from olfactory stereotypes of gender and ethnicity in the modern West to the role of smell in postmodernity. Its subject matter will fascinate anyone who likes to nose around in the inner workings of culture.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Anthropology, Essays

260 pages, Hardcover

First published November 24, 1994

Reviews

[Eleanor · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was such a mix. Some parts I really found fascinating - the discussions about what certain practices reveal about the cultural significance and understanding of smell were amazing. I really loved the last section which unpacked the role of smell in modern Western culture. However I felt that a lot of the first and second sections were very descriptive with very little analysis. As interesting as it is to read about the way certain cultures use smell in different ways, it got a bit old reading what was essentially a list of things rather than any discussion of what these practices reveal. There is some really fascinating stuff in here but I think it was a bit too long.

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Top 3 smell book. Stylistically the most liberal artsy thing I’ve read in a while and it made me nostalgic.

Best part is a tie between the Greco Roman dinner party perfumes and the Andamanese folks who define gender by the scents produced by the body how fun

[Patty Chapman · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took me more than a year to read this book. Part of it was just pandemic brain, but part was that for something I would call pop history, it’s actually a tough read and I put the book down a number of times. The book is light on analysis in some parts, but what the author doesn’t say still weighs heavily on the reader. Over many centuries and many cultures scent was a vehicle for ethnocentrism and sexism.

[Sara Shocks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Academic yet accessibly written; what a great convergence of my interests. I do think the authors got a little weird about artificial fragrance notes in the final chapter—there are aromachemicals with uses barely explored in perfume, which is a great artistic opportunity!—but overall, I found this a thoughtful exploration.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aroma: The Cultural History of Smell (Hardcover)
by Constance Classen
ordered from library this date

Heard review of au's work Dec 4 Code Switch orig aired Nov 24 2021. Code Switch: thought for food

olfactory neutrality

[Vendaval · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un muy buen trabajo de recopilación histórica y de análisis sociológico del papel del olfato y los olores en la cultura occidental, así como otros casos etnográficos.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very interesting read but a little dry at times.

I really enjoyed the historical aspect that explored scent throughout the ages.

[lita · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ternyata, waktu zaman Yunani Kuno, tamu yang datang berkunjung ke rumah bangsawan tidak disuguhi makanan atau minuman, melainkan parfum. Jadi, kalau kita datang bertamu, setelah dipersilakan duduk maka sang tuan rumah akan bertanya: "mau menghirup parfum apa....?"

[T. Strange · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting.

[Lisa Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic! This book is extremely well done.