In this excerpt from Patrick Süskind’s “Das Parfüm,” a character named Terrier reflects on the scent of a sleeping infant. Initially enchanted by paternal fantasies, he is soon overwhelmed by a visceral disgust as the infant’s nose seems to assess him, exposing his insecurities. The moment transforms from warmth to aversion.

The excerpt from Patrick Süskind’s novel “Das Parfüm,” visualized by David La Piovra, depicts a grotesque ambiance of 18th-century cities, overwhelmed by pervasive and foul odors. Streets, homes, and bodies all reeked of decay and filth, illustrating the era’s lack of sanitation and highlighting the shared, universal stench across all societal classes.