Rating: 
Summary: I wanted badly to like this book but could not...
Review: Along with millions of others, I loved Silence of the Lambs and I eagerly purchased Hannibal full of excitement. As I finished the last page of the novel, I truly felt that I had wasted my money. I am not normally squeamish but I felt that the story contained an abundant amount of unneeded grotesque scenes. And the ending was utterly unsatisfying and seemingly beyond the realm of remote possibility. As I trudged through the gore I was hoping that the climax would overcome the weak points of the story. It did not. Unfortunately, I cannot recommend this book to anyone.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent story!
Review: Hannibal is the ultimate monster. Clarice and his relationship, begun in "Silence...", was as surprising to me as the ending to this terrific book. I eagerly awaited this new story...and I was not disappointed!
Rating: 
Summary: It all just fizzled...
Review: Harris' writing style and imagery started out the novel with great potential. To my surprise the book was not filled with blood, mutilation and murder. The voilence lay more within the minds of Mason Verger and, of course, Dr. Lecter. I couldn't put the book down and found myself driven to read on not by the writing but by a morbid curiosity as to the ending. I found the novel's plot to build for a while, plateau and then fizzle into nothing. The only thing good about the ending is that is is completely unexpected... but that really is the ONLY good thing about it. I found the ending to be disappointing, confusing, unexplainable, and almost completely untied to the rest of the book. After following Lecter, Verger and Starling for almost 400 pages, I found the ending not worth the time.
Rating: 
Summary: Sensational!
Review: After eleven years of waiting I finally got to read the next chapter in the life of Hannibal Lecter. I was not dissapointed. I extremely enjoyed the insight to lecters' mind and past. I also enjoyed the characters of Mason and Margot Verger. The addition of these characters added greatly to the story. The chapters on Italy were intriguing and informational. The ending was just as I wanted it to be, but feared that it would not be possible. My thanks to Harris for the ending.
Rating:
Summary: An underrated work of audacity
Review: I think a lot of people didn't like the book because it defied their perceptions. To give one star or two is clearly done out of frustration. As far as the writing is concerned, um, it's just as well written as The Silence of the Lambs (I have not read his two others - although I will read Red Dragon). I think the way Harris's flair changes according to the characters, the mood, and the action, is genius. I also love the way he involves his reader, at least on three occasions, in the story as if we were voyeurs. As an English Literature student this is some of the most unique writing I have seen. In general it was a very interesting story with a multiple of characters that you either love or truly hate (execpt for Pazzi, which you love and hate). The ending is strange (I admit), but I applaude Thomas Harris for his audacity. The final chapters are frustrating, but I always love a book that disturbs me even though it doesn't "please" me. The book certainly gets my respect and admiration. I wish Mr. Harris would come out and defend his book. This is not a time to be reclusive. I also hope the movie happens with EVERYONE returning to play the same characters. Maybe the movie can satisfy those who were disappointed by the book.
Rating:
Summary: Worth the wait
Review: I applaud Mr. Harris on this fine novel. While it has a few flaws, notwithstanding, I found it to be tremendously enjoyable. The book lives up to its tremendous hype, but I wouldn't rate it among the classics by any means.
Rating:
Summary: I must be strange cause I kinda liked it!
Review: Warning: Some spoilers here.....I don't read many books. No time. Can never seem to get interested etc. etc. Nor do I get excited about paying for a hard cover book. But, I did buy this one and read the whole thing. Glad I did. I was thoroughly entertained. Loved the Florence section. Made me go to the Italian tour books on my shelf and pull out a map to help visualize all of the beautiful detail. I couldn't wait to see what happened after Carlo fed the pigs the first time. The instant that Hannibal and Clarice finally meet face to face with Lecter's line "Good evening Clarice", I could just hear the roars in the movie theater. I did find the last few chapters a little confusing. I thought that Lecter was keeping Starling continually drugged and the whole dining scene with Krendler. Guess I'll have to go back over that part....
Rating:
Summary: Harris needs an editor
Review: What exactly made Carlos' head so "malodorous"? This phrase was used at least 5 times. Verger actually said "She can't prove she didn't do it" two or three times. It reminded me an assignment in creative writing where you had to use as many cliches as possible. The story was all right, but could have been much better if Harris would have deigned to allow his precious work to be edited. It is inventive and fresh to create new metaphors that really bring the reader in to the story. It is annoying though when one thinks so highly of their newly coined phrases to keep using them over and over...
Rating:
Summary: I devoured it -- a sumptous read with a disappointing finish
Review: Thomas Harris is a master at creating and building tension. "Hannibal" contains memorable scenes, with writing and research one can savor and appreciate again and again. Having said this, I must add, however, that the concluding chapters of "Hannibal" were somewhat flat -- like a disappointing dessert at the end of a fine meal. Perhaps I should read them again to uncover additional messages I missed the first time. In the demise of Paul Krendler, Harris may have deliberately withheld the satisfying irony in the details of a first-person glance at his "capture," which dilutes some of the poetic justice and disturbing "ripples" provided in other riveting scenes, and in his other books, for that matter. Why? What has happened to Clarice? Harris keeps us at arm's length, and without her iron threads of narrative to guide us at the end, we are left without a strong incentive to keep us thinking. I truly hope Harris doesn't wait another 11 years to release his next work, but this time, I hope he leaves Lechter and Starling on the bookshelf.
Rating: 
Summary: this took seven years?
Review: Mr. Harris' first two books in this 'series' seemed to be examinations of the criminal mind and how an investigator uses evidence and intuition to stop psychos. This book reads like a digusting apologist screed for the indefensible actions of the 'hero' Lector. Mr. Harris is an excellent writer. However this story is strained in the sense that all the characters are weirdos. I understand that examinations of ordinary people do not a bestseller make. I do not understand why even minor characters must be given digusting quirks. This book is enjoyable. I garner some enjoyment reading about the flakes that the world can produce. The ending and the resolution of the relationship between Starling and Lector is obvious and possibly the worst of all possible endings to this story.
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