Patrick Süskind

2.1. Birth and Family Background

Patrick Süskind was born on March 26, 1949, in Ambach, Bavaria, a small village located near Lake Starnberg. His father was Wilhelm Emanuel Süskind, a distinguished German writer and journalist who worked for the newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung. Wilhelm Emanuel Süskind was also the co-author of Aus dem Wörterbuch des Unmenschen (From the Dictionary of an Inhuman), a significant collection of essays critically examining the language used during the Nazi era. Patrick Süskind's mother, Annemarie Süskind (née Schmitt), was a sports teacher. His older brother, Martin Erhard Süskind (1944-2009), also pursued a career in journalism and served as a speechwriter. Patrick Süskind spent his childhood in the small Bavarian village of Holzhausen.
q=Ambach, Bavaria|position=right

2.2. Education

After completing his Abitur (qualification testing for university) and fulfilling his mandatory Zivildienst (community service), Süskind embarked on his academic journey. From 1968 to 1974, he studied medieval and modern history at the University of Munich and in Aix-en-Provence, France. However, he ultimately chose not to complete his degree. Following his studies, with financial support from his parents, Süskind relocated to Paris, where he dedicated his time to writing, primarily producing short, unpublished fiction and longer screenplays that were not produced into films.

3.1. Early Career and Playwriting

Süskind achieved his first major success in 1981 with the play Der Kontrabaß (Der Kontrabaß^German, The Double Bass). This work was initially conceived as a radio play before being adapted for the stage. The play proved to be immensely popular, with over 500 performances during the 1984-85 theatrical season, making it one of the most frequently performed plays on German-speaking stages. The entire play features a single character, a tragi-comical orchestra musician, whose monologue explores themes of loneliness, mediocrity, and the complex relationship between art and life.

3.2. Screenwriting

In the 1980s, Süskind also established himself as a successful screenwriter, often collaborating with director Helmut Dietl. His notable contributions include screenplays for influential German television productions such as Monaco Franze (1983) and Kir Royal (1987). He also penned the screenplay for the 1997 film Rossini - oder die mörderische Frage, wer mit wem schlief (Rossini - or The Murderous Question of Who Slept with Whom), for which he received the Screenplay Prize of the German Department for Culture in 1996. Süskind also wrote the screenplay for the 2005 film Vom Suchen und Finden der Liebe (Of Seeking and Finding Love), also directed by Helmut Dietl. He even had a small acting role in the television series Monaco Franze.

3.3. Literary Works

Süskind's most renowned work is the novel Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (Das Parfum - Die Geschichte eines Mörders^German), published in 1985. This novel achieved extraordinary international success, remaining on the bestseller list of the German weekly news magazine Der Spiegel for nine years. It has been translated into over 49 languages and, as of 2019, has sold more than 20 M copies worldwide, solidifying its status as a global literary phenomenon. In the early 2000s, Perfume was included in the BBC's poll-generated list of the 100 best-loved novels.


Beyond Perfume, Süskind has authored several other notable literary works. These include the novella The Pigeon (Die Taube^German), published in 1988, and The Story of Mr Sommer (Die Geschichte von Herrn Sommer^German), published in 1991, which was famously illustrated by the French cartoonist Jean-Jacques Sempé. His collection of short stories, Three Stories and a Reflection (Drei Geschichten und eine Betrachtung^German), was released in 1996, containing the stories Depth Wish, A Battle, Maître Mussard's Bequest, and the essay Amnesia in Litteris. In 2006, he published the essay On Love and Death (Über Liebe und Tod^German). His works are considered significant contributions to contemporary literature.

4.1. Novels and Novellas

• Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (Das Parfum^German), 1985
• The Pigeon (Die Taube^German), 1988
• The Story of Mr Sommer (Die Geschichte von Herrn Sommer^German), 1991

4.2. Plays and Screenplays

• Der Kontrabaß (The Double Bass), 1981 (play)
• Monaco Franze, 1983 (television screenplay)
• Kir Royal, 1987 (television screenplay)
• Rossini - oder die mörderische Frage, wer mit wem schlief, 1997 (film screenplay)
• Vom Suchen und Finden der Liebe (Of Seeking and Finding Love), 2005 (film screenplay)

4.3. Essays and Collections

• Three Stories and a Reflection (Drei Geschichten und eine Betrachtung^German), 1996
  • Contents: Depth Wish, A Battle, Maître Mussard's Bequest, Amnesia in Litteris.
• On Love and Death (Über Liebe und Tod^German), 2006

5.1. Reclusive Lifestyle and Public Persona

Süskind leads a notably reclusive and private lifestyle, deliberately shunning public attention. He rarely grants interviews, and very few photographs of him have been published. His aversion to public appearances extends to a general detachment from the literary spotlight. He has consistently refused all literary awards, including prestigious ones like the FAZ-Literaturpreis, the Toucan Prize, and the Gutenberg Prize. This steadfast refusal of recognition is a hallmark of his persona. Furthermore, he is known to sever ties with friends or family members who disclose details about his personal life or work to the public. He divides his time between Munich and locations in France, specifically Montol and Paris.

5.2. Family

Patrick Süskind is married to Tanja Graf, a German publisher. Together, they have a son.

6.1. Literary Success and Global Reach

The commercial triumph of Perfume: The Story of a Murderer is a testament to its widespread appeal. The novel's enduring presence on bestseller lists for nearly a decade in Germany and its translation into over 49 languages underscore its global reach. With sales exceeding 20 M copies worldwide, Perfume has cemented its place as a modern classic, resonating with readers across diverse cultures and continuing to be a significant work in contemporary literature.

6.2. Adaptations in Film and Media

Süskind's most famous literary work, Perfume: The Story of a Murderer, was adapted into a major motion picture in 2006. The film adaptation, titled Perfume: The Story of a Murderer, was directed by Tom Tykwer. The film rights were acquired by Constantin Film for approximately 10.00 M EUR, highlighting the high anticipation and perceived value of the novel for cinematic adaptation. Another of his screenplays, Vom Suchen und Finden der Liebe, was also adapted into a film in 2005.

6.3. Stance on Awards and Recognition

A distinctive aspect of Patrick Süskind's career is his consistent and deliberate refusal of literary awards and public recognition. He has notably rejected the FAZ-Literaturpreis, the Toucan Prize, and the Gutenberg Prize, among others. This stance is deeply intertwined with his reclusive personal life and artistic philosophy, emphasizing a detachment from the public and commercial aspects of the literary world. His refusal to accept accolades reinforces his private persona and his focus solely on his creative output.