Historical fiction Quote by Jennifer Donnelly
““She smells of her cooking and the perfume Eau d'Hadrien. My mother wore it, too. She used to cook, like Lili. Our house smelled of garlic and thyme instead of sadness.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: A Gathering of Days by Jennifer Donnelly, 2012
The scent of cooking and perfume evokes memory, linking love, loss, and comfort through sensory detail.
In simple terms: Smells bring back love and comfort.
Key Takeaway
Use sensory cues to heal emotional wounds.
Themes
memory
family
food
comfort
loss
Mood
nostalgic
warming
Type
literary
emotional
When to use this quote
- cooking therapy
- memorial events
- family gatherings
- writing workshops
Key Concepts
psychology
sensory memory
nostalgia
Questions to Reflect On
- Which scent best reminds you of a loved one?
- How can you create new comforting memories?
A Different Perspective
Relying on scent may not work for everyone; memories can be painful.
![“Lawrence says, "I have an old maiden aunt too, and her place smells just like this. What [i] is [/i] that smell, anyway?" "Age and desperation?" I suggest. "Bitterness and despair?" Vanessa says. "Baked fish?" says Harry. "She does like tilapia," I admit.” quote by Claire LaZebnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/69d/claire-lazebnik-13620_quote_lawrence-says-i-have-an-old-maiden-aunt_822792.jpg)
