Perfume: the story of a murderer

Süskind, Patrick. Perfume : the story of a murderer. New York: Penguin, 2010.

Source: http://www.bookdepository.com

An incredible power of smell will take Jean-Baptiste Grenouille through an obsessive quest to capture the scent of a young virgin. Using the methods and art he learned as an apprentice, he will try to make the "ultimate perfume". A brilliantly written horror story set in France in the 18th Century, leisurely paced and richly detailed. "A hauntingly powerful tale of murder and sensual depravity" (GoodReads). 

Starring Ben Whishaw and Dustin Hoffman, and directed by Tom Tykwer, the movie was released in 2006 attracting good and bad criticisms.

+  Winner of the 1987 World Fantasy Award for Best Novel, over other nominees such as It by Stephen King and Strangers by Dean Koontz.
  + Perfume: the story of a murderer in our library catalogue GO!

Sources: Book Depository, IMDB, ChamberFour, GoodReads Whichbook

Secret window, secret garden

King, Stephen. "Secret window, secret garden" in Four past midnight. New York : Viking, 1990.

Source: http://www.worldcat.org

"Secret window, secret garden" is one of the four novellas in this book by Stephen King. It is the story of a successful writer, Mort Rainey, who is suddenly confronted by a man claiming Mort plagiarized his story.  Chased by this man, Mort will try to find the truth about the story and will end finding a thrilling one about himself. Full of suspense and horror, this fast-paced and compelling story will take us to the deep complexity of the human mind.

The movie "Secret window", adapted and directed by David Koepp, was released in 2004. Johnny Depp performs as Mort Rainey and he was nominated as Best Actor for the Chainsaw Award for this movie.

+  "The Langoliers", the first novella of this book, was also adapted to movie in 1995. Check it out here
  + Request the book in our webpage here

Sources: WorldCat, FictionConnection, RottenTomatoes, IMDB, Kirkus Reviews

American Psycho

Ellis, Bret Easton. American Psycho. New York: Vintage, 1991.

Source: http://www.goodreads.com/

In this highly controversial novel, Bret Easton Ellis gives life to a disturbing character who not happy with his success in Wall Street, will find in murder a tool to fulfill his thirsty of power. Beyond the story, it lies a whole depiction of the American society in the eighties. "The horror does not lie in the novel itself, but in the society it reflects" (Library Journal).

A violent and transgressive story that was adapted to film in 2000, starring Christian Bale and directed by Mary Harron.

+ The movie in IMDB

  +  Did you know? This novel was classified as CAT1 (not available to persons under 18 years) in Australia in 1991 and even banned in some states.
    + American Psycho in our library catalogue GO!

Source: Library Journal, NoveList, IMDB, Australian Classification