More of a biographical mapping out of the discovery of a new career path and the richness with which it has gifted its author than a mainstream guide, Fragrant: The secret life of scent by Mandy Aftel is a fascinating journey into four key materials (cinnamon, incense, mint, jasmine and ambergris), their mystical significance, their aura, their historical pathway and with it the trajectory of natural perfumery. The book takes the form of a meditation on the sensuality and pleasure that natural materials offer, divided into 5 parts corresponding to each material) and a plea for the embracing of their sensuous capabilities in our increasingly sterilized world.
Aftel's Essence and Alchemy is already a perfume book classic, aimed at the fragrance enthusiast with the desire to learn (it includes a hands down approach to learning to build fragrant chords with natural essences and a classic fragrance pyramid structure tutorial a la Jean Carles), while Fragrant: The Secret Life of Scent is less of a traditional guide. Instead Aftel muses on several points on scent while adding tidbits that are always interesting and a handful of recipes for edible stuff that would make you see things in a new light. For that reason it would appeal to the novice, as it does not require special knowledge in order to follow its beautiful prose, but also to the more accomplished fragrance collector as a tome to stand proudly in their library.
You can order the book on Amazon at a special price.
I have a new hardback copy to share with a lucky reader. Please enter a comment below to be eligible. Draw is open internationally till Friday midnight.
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Love the romance of the perfumery language. And my cherished Tom Ford Black Violet!
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting the giveaway. I enjoy reading about perfumery (doesn't everyone?), and would love to win this.
ReplyDeleteoh, i would love to read this! i enjoy mandy aftel's musings, and agree with her that embracing sensuality via nature and her beautiful offerings is a most sensible (pun intended) corrective to our modern built environments and separation from our matrix...
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway opportunity! I love "Essence and Alchemy" and have this one on my Christmas list. Aftel is such a gifted writer with a tremendous knowledge base.
ReplyDeleteI would love to read this! Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeletelovely giveaway, thanks
ReplyDeleteWould love to read this book! I heard a lot about it. Great giveaway idea.
ReplyDeleteI've never read a perfume book, I'd love to see what this book is like! I've read so many positive reviews - I'm sure it's exquisite.
ReplyDeleteThis book is at the top of my Christmas list and it would be wonderful to win it. Mandy Aftel writes so beautifully, thank you for the draw.
ReplyDeleteI have heard a lot about this book. I think it would be a fun and interesting read on these cold nights.
ReplyDeleteThis has been on my Christmas list as well. Would love to read it. Thanks for the draw!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading Essence and Alchemy and look forward to reading Fragrant as well. Thank you very much for the draw.
ReplyDeleteI have heard many good things about Mandy Aftel's latest book. Also, I love reading rambly books with recipes :) Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteI would love to read this book but most likely I will have to purchase it as I never win anything. However, it is always fun to enter contests such as this and think perhaps one's luck could change. Thank you for the opportunity!
ReplyDeleteEven the book cover looks enticing. Looking forward to reading this.
ReplyDeleteI have heard a lot about this book and would love to read it too! Thank you for the draw.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the chance, Ellena!
ReplyDeleteMandy Aftel is a truly inspiring person!
I hope I win the book!
Is it at all possible that I should actually win something ; get something for free? It has never happened but I haven' t given up hope! I would love to win this book! I love perfume, perfume history, perfume anecdotes, your bog above all! So here's hoping!!!
ReplyDeleteOf course I meant "blog" sorry!
ReplyDeleteThis book would be a wonderful addition to any scent lover's library! Sounds great.
ReplyDeleteWOW! Please include me in this giveaway. I have found Mandy and her work to be fascinating as I'm certain this book will also be. What's more one can order the 'Fragrant Companion Kit' which accompanies this very book from her website so you can smell along with the story. How cool is that!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for this opportunity to enter the draw. I'll keep my fingers excitedly crossed for the draw.
Kind regards,
Adrian
I would love to read this book, it sounds fascinating. Thank you for offering this as a prize.
ReplyDeleteSounds like an interesting book!
ReplyDeleteI would love to win!
Thanks fpr the giveaway!!
Would Love to be the lucky(est) winner! Book+Fragrance=the perfect match!
ReplyDeleteThanks for this opportunity!
How interesting the book sounds and how generous you are with your offer. Thanks for the opportunity.
ReplyDeleteMandy Aftel's writing is so sensuous. I have been yearning to take a class from her for a long time.
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed and hope to win. Hahaha. Although I'm honestly excited about this book.
ReplyDeleteI haven't been reading much in the last few years, but as I've started spending so much time reading perfume blogs, I think I should get some perfume books to keep by my bed. I'd love to start with this one!
ReplyDeleteI'm in, there's never enough books.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to have this book. Thank you for this draw.
ReplyDeleteThis has been on my "to read" list, also. I like her writing style. Thanks for the draw.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful review Elena -- thank you for spreading the word on your terrific blog! And thanks to your readers -- I really enjoyed all their kind comments!
ReplyDeleteMandy
I have been looking for many years for a scent similar to one my first grade teacher used. She had previously lived in France, and I thought she was wonderful - and that perfume was a fantastic thing I had never known about before. I cant find it - but maybe reading books about perfume might help in my search. I would like to start with this one!
ReplyDelete