The Crimson Petal and The White, by Michel Faber

I read this marvelous novel some three years ago. At least it seems that long ago. I still think about it occasionally. Now it seems it is in development for a film version. The story centers on a love affair between a wealthy lavender farmer / perfumer / soap maker and his young prostitute beauty. He finds her and begins to be her benefactor and sex partner as he deals with a mentally disturbed wife and an ill daughter. The story progresses with the young lover striving to keep the relationship alive and using it to improve her lot in life. The ending is quite unexpected. You will find this book impossible to put aside until you have read all of the over 840 pages. Michel Faber is an amazing author of solid fiction. Of course you can order it in paperback from Amazon.