The
Perfume Burned His Eyes introduces readers to a 16-year
old teenager named Matthew who moves from Jackson Heights,
Queens, to Manhattan. Even though the move is relatively small
in distance, it is large in community. Matthew has to adjust
to new neighbors (Lou Reed and his transgendered girlfriend,
Rachel), a
new private school, and falling in love. As Matthew is adjusting
to all of these new things, he also is struggling to deal
with the losses of his father and grandfather.
As a
fan of Michael Imperioli’s acting, I was looking forward
to seeing what his writing would be like. The Perfume
Burned His Eyes is different; not different bad and not
different good. Each chapter bounces Matthew between his love
affair with Veronica and his wacky relationship with his neighbor,
Lou Reed. Readers get a sense of the teenage struggles that
Matthew faces, but more on the extreme side. The setting difference
of Jackson Heights and Manhattan is important to the story
and is handled well. Sensitive readers should be aware that
there is a lot of strong language and some graphic imagery
which they might find offensive.
Fans of Michael
Imperioli might appreciate The Perfume Burned His Eyes,
but sensitive readers should stay away. It is a quick read.
This reader was able to read it in a day. It is a different
type of coming to age story.
Notes: graphic
images and language
|