Smells

This book explores the historical significance of smell, tracing its transformation from a vital sensory experience in the past to its current underappreciation, highlighting cultural shifts and changing perceptions over centuries.

In Smells, Robert Muchembled explores the often-overlooked significance of our sense of smell throughout history. He argues that modern society tends to undervalue this sense, viewing it as a relic from our past that is gradually fading away. As we strive to create odor-free environments, we may overlook the vital role that smells have played in shaping human experiences and cultural practices.

Muchembled delves into the transformation of olfactory perceptions from the Renaissance to the early 19th century. He paints a vivid picture of urban life during earlier centuries, where the air was thick with unpleasant odors and pollution. In those times, people were not repulsed by the smells of excrement and body odor; rather, these scents were intertwined with expressions of eroticism and sexuality across different social classes. Literature and poetry of the era often celebrated these odors, highlighting a stark contrast to contemporary attitudes.

The book also examines the relationship between scent and health, particularly in the context of plague outbreaks. During this period, the notion that foul air was linked to disease led to the belief that certain perfumes could act as protective barriers against illness. However, as the fear of plague diminished in the 18th century, so too did the need for such protective scents. This shift marked the onset of an olfactory revolution, where lighter, more floral fragrances became fashionable, reflecting evolving societal norms. Smells offers a rich cultural history that invites readers to reconsider the importance of smell in our lives.