The Perfumist of Paris

Compare Radha and Lakshmi. How do the sisters’ experiences inform their approach to problems and how do they share their wisdom?

Consider how the novel depicts female friendships. How do they illustrate the benefits of women’s solidarity and liberation?

In what ways does The Perfumist of Paris correct or rewrite women’s history and offer alternatives to the roles women have traditionally occupied in literature?

Joshi creates a deliberate parallel between Radha and Victorine Meurent/Olympia. How effective is this parallel and how does it contribute to the themes of the novel?

Analyze Radha’s relationships with Florence and Sheela. What helps these rivals overcome their mutual animosity? How does inverting their relationships contribute to the discussion of the novel’s themes?

Explore scent as a motif within the novel. How does it function? Pick out three sections of the novel in which it is especially effective at building characters or themes.

Analyze how the settings impact Radha’s conflicts. What transformative experiences and insights does she have in Paris and Agra? Why is the period pertinent to the plot?

How are Radha’s struggles cultural and postcolonial in addition to being issues of gender? Pick out two sections from the novel that support this idea and analyze them.