I want to share with you one of my all-time favourite books on scent, first published in in 2017, by Barney Shaw. The title of the book – The Smell of Fresh Rain is so inviting and evocative. It gives you a great idea of the olfactory odyssey you will embark upon when you read the book.
The book is an impassioned invitation to reclaim and celebrate one of our most overlooked yet profound senses. Far from a dry academic text, Shaw delivers a delightful and deeply personal treatise that will forever change how you perceive the world through your nose.
What can you expect from this captivating journey?
A Celebration of the Everyday
Shaw possesses an extraordinary ability to elevate the ordinary. From petrichor – the earthy scent of rain on dry ground – to the aroma of freshly baked bread, old books, or even the unique smell of a loved one's home, he guides us through a kaleidoscope of everyday scents, revealing their hidden complexities and emotional resonance. You will find yourself pausing to inhale more deeply, discovering a new layer of richness in your daily life.
A Passionate Advocate for Olfaction
This book is a powerful argument for the importance of smell in our lives. Shaw vividly illustrates how scent is inextricably linked to memory, emotion, and even our understanding of the world around us. He explores how a specific smell can instantly transport us back in time, evoke powerful feelings, or even subtly influence our decisions. He laments the modern tendency to sideline this sense and encourages readers to actively re-engage with it.
Beyond the Perfume Bottle
While the book touches upon the artistry of perfumery, its scope is much broader. Shaw delves into the science of smell, the cultural significance of aromas, and even the role of scent in animal communication. It's a holistic exploration that will appeal to anyone curious about the unseen forces that shape our experiences.
A Call to Sensory Awareness
The Smell of Fresh Rain is a gentle nudge to slow down, pay attention, and truly savour the rich olfactory tapestry that surrounds us. It's a reminder that our senses are gateways to a deeper, more vibrant engagement with the world.
Shaw's writing is lyrical, evocative, and charming. He manages to convey complex ideas about neurobiology and sensory perception without ever resorting to jargon or stuffiness. His anecdotes are relatable, his observations insightful, and his enthusiasm infectious. It is not often that I pick up a book and find myself reading it in one sitting, but this is what happened when I opened the first page of the book. It flows beautifully, making it a joy to read from cover to cover.
For anyone studying perfumery, The Smell of Fresh Rain serves as an inspiring foundation. It broadens the appreciation for the raw materials of scent and encourages a deeper, more philosophical understanding of why certain aromas move us. It will undoubtedly foster a more profound and personal connection to the art of perfumery. Prepare to have your nose – and your mind – opened to a world you may have previously taken for granted. You'll never smell fresh rain, or anything else, in quite the same way again.
