What Is The Perfumer of Ashur?

In the 13th century BC Mesopotamian land of Ashur, the perfumed way, or narhashim, requires perfumers of great skill to produce scented oils for all of life’s rituals. Perfume is the Assyrians’ path to the gods; it protects, adorns, attracts, and communicates.

When a heartbroken but headstrong temple assistant is befriended by the king and promoted to the palace perfumery, her unique approach to perfume will change her prospects. But now the king has gone mad. Her closest friend is in danger. And her competitor’s jealousy threatens to derail her innovations. Tapputi’s initial success is turning into a devastating challenge: She must harness her faith and risk everything in the pursuit of a perfume with the power to save those she loves.

With a nod to blockbuster, scent-centered novels such as Suskind’s Perfume, author Marlen Harrison celebrates the current genre of reimagining ancient historical characters with a feminist perspective. The Perfumer of Ashur, a work of historical fiction, explores both the imagined life of Tappūtī-bēlat-ekalle – one of the world’s earliest-documented chemists and perfumers – and a lost culture ruled by fragrance-loving gods, demons, and warrior-kings.

Tentative publication date: Autumn, 2028

BLOCKBUSTER CONCEPT

A Bronze Age perfumer is challenged to use her skills and faith to save those she loves.

LOGLINE

In the ancient Mesopotamian kingdom of Ashur, a headstrong perfumer’s vision for a new kind of perfume is challenged when the actions of a ruthless colleague and mad king threaten to deter her progress and destroy those she loves.

PREMISE/PITCH

When a heartbroken but headstrong temple assistant in the 13th century BC Mesopotamian land of Ashur is befriended by the king and promoted to the palace perfumery, her intoxicating creations will change her future. But now with the king going mad, her closest friend in danger, and her competitor’s jealousy threatening to derail her progress, Tapputi’s initial success is turning into a devastating challenge: She must harness her faith and risk everything in the pursuit of a perfume with the power to save those she loves.

THEMES

Developing trust in one’s abilities; guilt and redemption; inspiration, innovation, and creative vision; the power of love.