The Perfumist of Paris

The Perfumist of Paris (2023) is the third and final book in the Jaipur Trilogy written by Indian American author Alka Joshi. Joshi was born in Jodhpur, India, and moved with her family to the United States in the 1960s. Lakshmi, the main character of the first two novels in the Jaipur Trilogy—The Henna Artist (2020) and The Secret Keeper of Jaipur (2021)—is based loosely on Joshi’s mother, who ensured that her daughters had the kinds of choices and opportunities she did not have while growing up. Set between 1955 and 1981, this historical fiction series explores the social impacts of India’s postcolonial development through the experiences of its strong female characters. The Perfumist of Paris is set between 1974 and 1981, and it explores themes related to patriarchal ideas and gender roles. The novel’s protagonist Radha, who is Lakshmi’s younger sister, struggles to find balance between her roles as mother, wife, and ambitious aspiring perfumer. Books in the Jaipur Trilogy have been featured as Reese Witherspoon Book Club Picks, and there is a Miramax TV/Netflix series based on The Henna Artist.