Edgar Saltus's 'The Perfume of Eros: A Fifth Avenue Incident' offers an intricate exploration of elite New York society, set against the genteel backdrop of Gramercy Park. The book lays bare the lives and secrets of the ultra-wealthy amidst the quietude of this exclusive enclave. With a narrative rich in detail and a prose that possesses the density and opulence of the world it depicts, Saltus's novel is a piercing social commentary. Its style and dark humor grant it a place within both the naturalist and decadent aesthetic traditions that pronounced bold critiques against the societal norms of the Gilded Age. The work's literary context situates it in the tradition of Edith Wharton and Henry James, with a distinctive twist in its caustic wit and Saltus's own brand of scathing irony. Author Edgar Saltus, known for his flamboyant and opulent narrative style, was a keen observer of the excesses and idiosyncrasies of the American aristocracy. His own experiences and connections within the upper echelons of society no doubt informed his portrayal of the characters within 'The Perfume of Eros.' The psychological depth and the precise depiction of the mores of the time reflect a writer deeply immersed in the milieu about which he scribes, dissecting the pretenses and affectations of the elite with both subtlety and uncompromising frankness. This novel stands as a compelling recommendation for any aficionado of American literature with an interest in the critique of late 19th-century social mores and the intricacies of high society. 'The Perfume of Eros' will satisfy readers seeking a narrative that is at once lush and critical, enveloping them in the rarified air of Fifth Avenue while exposing the undercurrents of desire and decadence that flow beneath its polished surface. It is a masterful blend of sharp observation and lustrous storytelling that indelibly captures a unique moment in American cultural history.