PERFUME+-+CHILDHOOD

"The setting for these debucheries was- how could it be otherwise- the innermost empire where he had buried the husks of every oder encountered since birth. To enchance the mood, he first conjured up those that were earliest and most remote: the hostile, steaming vapors of Madame Gaillard's bedroom; the bone-dry, leathery bouquet of her hands; the vinegary breath of Father Terrier; the hysterical, hot maternal sweat of Bussie the wet nurse; the carrion stench of the Cimetiere des Innocents; the homicidal oder of his mother. And he wallowed in disgust and loathing, and his hair stood on end at the delicious horror."

Grenouille probably had the worst possible childhood anyone could ask for. It starts way back from his birth. He was born in the smelliest part of Paris and on the hottest day...(not pleasant). When he grows a little older, he is constantly passed from wet nurse to wet nurse. He has never been raised by anyone.