Five things Amanda Hampson learned while researching for The French Perfumer.
- The term ‘perfume’ is derived from the Latin ‘fumum’ meaning ‘through smoke’. The fragrant smoke of burned materials was thought to be divine, sending prayers to heaven.
- Perfume was once a privilege of the rich and the cost of materials was irrelevant. From early last century, the decadent and rare raw materials began to be synthesised to make perfume cheaper and therefore more widely available.
- A kilo of the best quality French jasmine comprises five million blossoms and costs around $50,000 – that’s triple the price of gold.
- A perfumer (known as a ‘nose’) is an artist who ‘paints’ with layers of fragrance. It’s a long and involved process with many ‘drafts’ that are put away to be revisited and revised over the development period.
- Perfumers attempt to capture a moment or a feeling. Jacques Guerlain was inspired to create L’Heure Bleue (The Blue Hour) when walking by the Seine one evening. He set out to capture the sense of that twilight hour when ‘the night has not yet found its star’.
Revisit three Amanda Hampson books to experience European summer from the comfort of your living room.
Amanda Hampson recalls her personal journey through reading, journalism and writing fiction.
Take this quiz to find out which YA thriller should be your next read!
Check out some of the hottest YA books in stores now, from epic romantasy to sweet, unexpected romance.
Finished The Let Them Theory and wondering what to read next? Check out this list of 20 suggested picks that will leave you feeling inspired and empowered.
Everything you need to throw the perfect Bluey birthday party!
Check out some of the Penguin Random House authors who will be at upcoming writers’ festivals.
Food shopping on a budget? These tips from Money-Saving Meal Plans With Chelsea will help you spend less on food.
Check out the long weekend reads Penguin employees are loving.
Our 2025 Penguin Noir events have wrapped up for another year – featuring four cities, four days, seven authors and a whole lot of crime!
