Books by Patrick Süskind

The 18^th century, an age of naval powers and expanding colonial empires, was marked by dramatic uprisings, revolutions and technological breakthroughs. We asked Francesca de Tores, author of Saltblood and Cast Away, to recommend five brilliant historical novels set in the 1700s—and how she balances factual accuracy with the demands of fiction.

If you’re planning a trip to the City of Lights—or in the mood for a bit of armchair travel—then you might like to get yourself in the mood by picking up a novel set in Paris. From the Francophone masterpieces of Victor Hugo to more modern classics by Hemingway and Mantel, you’re sure to find a book to suit your tastes among our expert recommendations.

If you enjoy some fantastical elements in your literature—but you aren’t quite ready for full-on swords and sorcery—then perhaps magical realism books are for you. As a genre, magical realism is often associated with South America, thanks in large part to the ‘father of magical realism’ Gabriel García Márquez and mega-bestselling books by Isabel Allende, but examples can be found from all over the world. We’ve put a list of must-read titles.

The author Denise Hamilton guides us through the intoxicating world of the perfumer, from ancient Egypt to wartime Paris – and explains what Guerlain meant when he said his fragrances contained a whiff of his mistress’s bottom