Perfume and Pain: A Novel BY Anna Dorn

In Perfume and Pain, Anna Dorn delivers a sharp, satirical romp that revives the essence of 1950s lesbian pulp fiction with a modern twist. Astrid Dahl, a mid-list author whose career is on the rocks, relocates to a tiny Los Angeles bungalow, hoping to reboot her life and career. She dives back into her Zoom writer’s group, Sapphic Scribes, after a scandal lightly derailed her reputation.

Astrid's life takes a sensual turn when she becomes entangled with Ivy, a grad student whose research into vintage lesbian pulp is as intriguing as her metallic orchid scent. At the same time, her new neighbor Penelope, an alluring painter with a patchouli fragrance and a penchant for veganism, enters Astrid’s orbit. Despite feeling overshadowed by Penelope’s responsible demeanor, Astrid is drawn to her, complicating her budding relationship with Ivy.

As Astrid's career gets a lifeline with an adaptation offer from influencer Kat Gold, the pressure mounts. This opportunity threatens to unravel her fragile stability, pushing her into old vices—Adderall, alcohol, and cigarettes—that lead to blackouts and a series of troubling events.

Perfume and Pain blends feminine charm with raucous humor, creating a steamy yet laugh-out-loud critique of Hollywood and lesbian melodrama. With its witty, perceptive narrative and a nod to classic pulp fiction, Dorn’s novel explores themes of identity, love, and the trials of a creative life in contemporary Los Angeles.