A journey across the world, revealing the beauty and mysteries of the perfume trade. The book also tackles the earth’s changing climate conditions, with its impact on the sources of the world’s scents.
In Search of Perfumes is a fragrant journey across the world, revealing the beauty and mysteries of the perfume trade.
Fruits, flowers, spices, bark, leaves, and branches are just some of the natural ingredients from the plant world that are used in the creation of perfume. Dominique Roques, travelling from Andalusia to Somaliland by way of Bulgaria, Laos, El Salvador, Indonesia and Egypt, describes his search to find the best natural ingredients, precious to perfumers everywhere.
In Search of Perfumes demonstrates how the prestigious multi-million-pound perfume industry may begin its life as a single plant harvested by producers surviving on ancestral traditions and techniques and often risking their lives in the process as they combat the rising threat of climate change. Roques reveals the beauty and mysteries of a familiar trade; a return to the source of the world’s scents.
Read some great reviews from our Preview readers here:
What an amazing book to read just as spring has sprung here in Australia! Dominique Roque’s journey across the globe to acquire fragrant extracts for the perfumers is told through each of the flowers and plants he has sought. Such was the rich description of his journeys that I felt like I could smell the flowers as I read about them. This fascinating book has given me a new insight into the creation of my favourite perfumes, and I now try to take more note of the different scents that combine within my perfume. I am inspired to plant a fragrant garden around my home so that I can enjoy nature’s perfumes every day. Jannine, VIC, 5 Stars
Dominique Roques takes the reader on a spellbinding journey of the senses. ‘In Search of Perfumes’ opens the reader to aspects of the perfume trade that they may have not considered before – the natural ingredients which create the intoxicating smell of our favourite perfume, the conditions for those who plant, harvest and distil our sweet scents and the impact of climate change on nature and our desire to smell divine. This travel memoir will take you on a sensory journey, conjuring significant smells from your past, such as the smell of your grandmother’s lavender perfume, and leave you with an appreciation for the lasting power that perfume can evoke. A fascinating read. Genene, SA, 5 Stars
Dominique Roques wrote “This book is an account of three decades of wandering on the hunt for the source of the world’s scents” and what a wonderful and eye opening journey he takes us on. The book has given me a new appreciation of what goes on before I have the pleasure of a quick spray of my favourite perfume each morning. Dominique writes with such great compassion of the people involved in the production at every level and in so many different areas around the world. Many of these people carrying on the traditions that have existed for centuries. He also acknowledges his great concerns for the future of our planet. Marg, VIC, 5 Stars
Not a book I would normally pick up to read but I must say it was very interesting and informative to find out how essential oils come about and where in particular they do come from. My favourite was reading about lavender. It’s truly amazing how many flowers are needed for a little amount of oil. I have a deeper appreciation now for perfume and oil scents. Lucy, SA, 5 Stars
This most delightfully crafted book took me on a journey – to a world I never knew existed – sourcing scents. As I devoured each chapter, the words took me right there to places all over the world – I felt part of the scent journey. Through stunningly illustrated pages this book opens your eyes to history, botany, cultures, travel, agriculture and the perfume industry. It’s a feast for not-only perfume lovers but enthusiasts of nature and far away places. I have a new found appreciation for nature and the protection of it for our future. I will also never take my perfume for granted – so many stories exist in every link of the chain. The quest for scents is as complex as the nature of perfumes. This book is a truly rare beauty which I thoroughly enjoyed. Cathy, QLD, 5 Stars
So much back-breaking labour, so many generations of gatherers, so much scientific research, millions of miles travelled, so much danger risked, so much passion, blending, devotion and sniffing – all to produce that one exquisite bottle of perfume. From the dawn of time, perfume has been used for sacred, cosmetic, mystic, cleansing and to enhance our aura. Dominque Roques reveals the underlying story behind the gathering of flowers, barks, fruits, roots, sap and leaves from the Amazon to Australia all ending in Grasse, the perfume capital. We share Roques’ personal story as a sourcing agent of natural products over the decades, his close relationships with everyone from tree-tappers to the master parfumiers responsible behind Chanel, Dior, Gautier, Yves St Laurent, Guerlain etc. “In Search of Perfumes” is as spellbinding as a newly discovered fragrance. I wanted to learn more and could not put the book down. Will Australia’s new plantations of Rosewood become the new ‘pink diamonds’ of Kununurra? My own garden now boasts new lavender and jasmine bushes and I have booked to visit my daughter who lives among the lavender fields of Provence. Eileen, QLD, 5 Stars
What a delightful surprise this book was. I was intrigued as to what form it would take – heavy reading came to mind – but it was written with such passion that I received a gentle education as I joined Dominique on his journey around the world. It was a truly eye opening insight into what goes into making a perfume and sourcing the ingredients and I will never again question the price of my favourite now I know the effort and intricacies involved. Denise, NSW, 4 Stars
I thoroughly enjoyed this book!! Roques’ passion and care for his work and all it entails is so strongly evident throughout each chapter, where we journey for another fragrance in the world (the atmosphere and tone very much reminded me of Robin Wall Kimmerer’s “Braiding Sweetgrass” which I also loved). Not only did I enjoy visiting these different places through the eyes of Roques, I also really appreciated the running thread of ethical considerations, respect for the environment, and treatment of the workers who laboured for these prized products to exist at all. I loved the photographs included throughout, the decorative illustrations at the beginning of each chapter, and the clear visuals evoked by the descriptive text weaving fact and feeling. I definitely recommend reading this one slowly to savour the journey, do a little geography research, and smell the roses… Claudia, QLD, 4 Stars
In Search of Perfumes is a nostalgic narrative that takes the reader on a journey to the heart of the perfume industry. This “homage to the harvesters of the world” captures the emotive experiences of Dominique Roques while being harmoniously informative about the aromas and fragrant ingredients he seeks. The events that transpire throughout this intriguing memoir are complemented by a collection of candid images and botanical sketches that are reminiscent of a travel journal. I would recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in the beauty of nature or enjoys cultural experiences when travelling. Not to mention anyone that has ever wondered about the origins of the luxurious bouquet of scents that linger as one wanders through a department store. Maria, NSW, 4 Stars
I was lucky enough to receive a proof copy of “In Search of Perfumes” by Dominique Roques. I don’t know much about perfumes, so was interested to delve in. First impressions – I loved the vibrant cover, showing a perfume bottle full of flowers and other fragrant materials. As an ex-librarian, I was excited to see a detailed Table of Contents and a comprehensive index, as well as a world map and dictionary of common trade words to refer to. Dominique stated that the book was his “homage to the harvesters of the world” and what follows is a delightful, personal journey – exploring the many different fragrance growing regions of the world. From the Bulgarian Rose to the Australian Sandalwood, Dominique brought out the personal stories and battles of the world’s fragrance harvesters, with a good mix of the harvester stories and historical significances of the fragrance trade. He managed to turn what could have been quite a dry and scentless story into something of fascination – even for this perfume heathen. Rebecca, ACT, 4 Stars
What a wonderful job – to travel the world to source the best, original, most natural ingredients to create the most authentic fragrances! Dominique Roques has travelled to India, Bulgaria, the Middle East, French Guiana, and many places in between, even Australia! Did you know that Kununurra, Western Australia, is destined to be the sandalwood capital of the world? Roques’ stories of his travels reveal the ancient mysteries of fragrances such as oud, frankincense, cinnamon, vanilla, patchouli, not to mention rose and lavender. This book is a treasure, a mix of history, literature, and appreciation of the natural world, but the stories reveal a world that is sadly at risk of ruthless exploitation and thoughtless destruction. There is hope in the sustainable ventures that are being developed, but it seems like some of the magic of this ancient and fascinating industry will gradually be lost if we don’t take care. If you are at all interested in the world of scents and perfumes, this is the book for you! With the finished copy in hardback with ribbon, sprayed edges and embossing, this would make a beautiful present for that special person. Helen, SA, 4 Stars
In Search of Perfumes is part travelogue, part memoir about the sources of different fragrances from all over the world used in perfumes and the authors involvement in the industry. His descriptions of the scents produced are so evocative and intriguing they made me want to smell every perfume mentioned. While his use of personal stories add local colour and interest to the people involved and I found the whole enchanting. I ended out my reading to a chapter a day just so I could get a daily dose of this wonderful book that taught me so much. Kristy, NSW, 4 Stars
In Search of Perfumes is storytelling at its best. This Memoir of Dominique Roques took me on a journey around the world as he did his job acquiring essential oils for the perfume industry. Whilst it chapters some of the characters and tells some of the perfume industry, it was enough for me to appreciate what it takes to make good perfumes. The jewel of this book is in the storytelling. The language is descriptive and engages all the senses. His journeys incorporate history, and traditional practices, family traditions and details about the essential oils. I love how he brings to life the real-life alchemy and magic of the ingredients. How the places are so descriptive and beautiful, and I felt like I got to know the people he met in his journeys, so many interesting people. For me, It was a book that chaptered my curiosity about essential oils and the places he travelled. Overall it was an informative, enjoyable uplifting read, I would highly recommend it. Fran, VIC, 4 Stars
A really informative guide to the scents that make up our perfurmes. I had no idea how much went into making these beautiful scents. It was so great to learn about each individual plant, the geography of where it grows best, plus details about the local economy and how this plant becomes a key ingredient in our perfume. Maria, NSW, 4 Stars
Insightful journey on the gathering and collecting of perfume ingredients around the world. Extremely well written. If you’ve ever wondered how ingredients are sourced this is a perfect read. Katrina, QLD, 4 Stars
In Search of Perfumes is a poetic, romantic travel journey of the real life procurer of fragrances. The book is tabled into sections dedicated to each of the mysterious scents from all corners of the world. I found myself lingering on certain paragraphs describing in such romanticism the places, people and scents that are being collected. This is a remarkable non fiction narrative that Dominique Roques is so fortunate to have been able to write as part of their career. Preeya, QLD, 4 Stars
Reading In Search of Perfumes was like taking the holiday I haven’t been able to take these past 2 years. I’ve always been drawn by the power of scent, to take you back to childhood memories, or invoke the strong memory of someone you love, but I had never anticipated what actually goes into creating these powerful perfumes. This book took me on a journey across the world full of learning. My only wish is that the photos were in colour rather than black and white. Tess, TAS, 4 Stars
An honest and revealing journey, travelling the world to sometimes the most remote locations in search of the most unique flora and spices which ultimately produce the most magical scents for the finest perfumes. It was so eye-opening to understand the efforts and time required that contribute to fill such little bottles in our everyday life. Kylie, NSW, 3 Stars
I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book, but it turned out to be a lovely combination of travelogue, community and environmental involvement and insight into the manufacturing of perfume and a behind-the-scenes look at how perfumes are made. While I haven’t yet finished the book, it’s designed for you can dip into a chapter here and there, since the narrative thread is intentionally loose. A great read for those interested in scents and perfumes and their origins. Rachel, WA, 3 Stars
In Search of Perfumes by Dominique Roques is an interesting, non-fiction journey into the world of the many fragrances used in perfumery. I found it a difficult book to review. I enjoyed it and its factual, almost reference book, approach. It will not appeal to every reader’s taste. Each chapter stands alone and I felt it was best read slowly and over time. The book enlightens the reader on the complex culture, history, harvesting techniques and uses for many of the aromatics sourced from countries around the world. It is also part travel diary of Roques’ travels across the world faithfully relaying his experiences with the people and the fast changing environment of the scent harvesters. A great book to have on the shelf and return to. Neville, NSW, 3 Stars
An interesting look at the history of perfume, in particular many of the most common scents easily identified in perfumes of today. The author has a long working history with perfume and shares his love of science and people that are the backbone of this industry. From the lavender grown in France to Australia’s Sandalwood forests the world’s favourite fragrances are given a new meaning. He describes the workers in the fields and the long history of different cultures in the farming of many of our ancient bases to current perfumes. This book gives a background understanding of such a common and everyday possession. I also enjoyed the inclusion of photographs throughout the book. Ainsley, QLD, 3 Stars
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