MEGAN VOLPERT
  • writing
    • Why Alanis Morissette Matters
    • Straight Into Darkness
    • Perfume
    • Closet Cases
    • RuPaul's Drag Race & Philosophy
    • Boss Broad
    • Tom Petty & Philosophy
    • 1976
    • Order Sutra
    • Only Ride
    • This assignment is so gay
    • Sonics in Warholia
    • Desense of Nonfense
    • Domestic Transmission
    • Face Blindness
  • services
    • Individual
    • Tarot
    • Scent
    • Business
  • objects
  • events

Top 10 Style Book for spring '22.
Read excerpts 1, 2, 3 & 4.
​Watch the launch party.
Read reviews 1, 2 & 3.

Picture

BLOOMSBURY, 2022

"Perfume is an enthusiastic exploration worthy of its complex subject, pointing to mysteries related to the art and science of fragrance and welcoming newcomers to revel in them — with the understanding that some may never be solved."

Elizabeth Barrial
Founder and Head Perfumer, Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab

Object Lessons is a series of short, beautifully designed books about the hidden lives of ordinary things.

Our sense of smell is crucial to our survival. We can smell fear, disease, food. Fragrance is also entertainment. We can smell an expensive bottle of perfume at a high-end department store. Perhaps it reminds us of our favorite aunt. A memory in a bottle is a powerful thing.

Megan Volpert's Perfume carefully balances the artistry with the science of perfume. The science takes us into the neurology of scent receptors, how taste is mostly smell, the biology of illnesses that impact scent sense, and the chemistry of making and copying perfume. The artistry of perfume involves the five scent families and symbolism, subjectivity in perfume preference, perfume marketing strategies, iconic scents and perfumers, why the industry is so secretive, and Volpert's own experiments with making perfume.

Object Lessons is published in partnership with an essay series in The Atlantic.
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • writing
    • Why Alanis Morissette Matters
    • Straight Into Darkness
    • Perfume
    • Closet Cases
    • RuPaul's Drag Race & Philosophy
    • Boss Broad
    • Tom Petty & Philosophy
    • 1976
    • Order Sutra
    • Only Ride
    • This assignment is so gay
    • Sonics in Warholia
    • Desense of Nonfense
    • Domestic Transmission
    • Face Blindness
  • services
    • Individual
    • Tarot
    • Scent
    • Business
  • objects
  • events