Perfume

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.

Avainsanat: Perfume, Luigi Capuana, Faligi