The Perfumist of Paris

Joshi uses the art form of perfume blending to explore the vital connection between scent, memory, and identity. The novel's prologue opens with a conversation between Radha and her mentor Antoine—they discuss their childhood, and their memories are layered with olfactory imagery. This conversation highlights the vital role that scent plays in encoding individuals’ foundational and transformative experiences. Often, Radha’s flashbacks in the novel are preceded by lush olfactory imagery, mimicking the ways that smells trigger memories.

The pleasure Radha takes in her work as a perfumer is a result of this connection between scent and her memories and identity. When she is working in Paris and disconnected from her extended family and her cultural identity, perfuming not only allows Radha professional fulfillment and prestige but also connects to her deepest self, which Pierre does not understand. In Agra, Radha’s memories flash rapidly as she takes in the smells she grew up with—Lakshmi’s herb and chrysanthemum scent comforts her even as the overwhelming scent of sandalwood at the courtesans’ haveli reminds her of the loss of Niki. The vial of scent she carries to calm herself is Niki’s baby smell, but just as she locks away those memories, she keeps the scent bottled and sealed, taking it out only when she is alone, vulnerable, and in need of comfort.