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Summary: What a surprise!
Review: This book was not nearly as graphic as Silence of the Lambs, however it has a very strange twist to it. Took me a chapter or two to get into it, but when I did it was quick reading...you just have to holdout for the end!
Rating: 
Summary: You won't put it down!!
Review: This has to be the best book I have read this summer! It is so well written that you can almost experience each page happening. You learn the reason for Dr. Lecter's "tastes", and the true depth of his psyche. Thomas Harris continues to tell a horrifying tale with class, and I can only hope that there will be more in the life of Hannibal Lecter!
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Summary: Beyond 'Silence' -- Hannibal Fascinates and Horrifies
Review: A Baroque masterpiece by Harris, well worthy of a place beside 'Silence' and 'Red Dragon,' 'Hannibal' is a gorgeous, grotesque, horrifying -- and beautifully written book. It's dark fare served up by Thomas Harris and a Hannibal Lecter in rare form. Big, fat note of warning: It's not for everyone. The book is as shocking as it is disturbing. But it's also immensely satisfying, both as a pulse-pounder and as a book that succeeds on the literary level. I've noticed that people (reviewers included) either adore this book or absolutely hate it -- I loved it. But be warned -- it is a walk on the wild side... If 'Silence of the Lambs' was a sonata, 'Hannibal' is a symphony -- with a vengeance. Minor criticisms would include a bumpy beginning and an over-the-top gross villain who has none of the subtlety or 3-D believability of the 'Tooth Fairy' (or Lecter) from 'Red Dragon.' But the writing and plot race toward a daring, shocking can't-miss ending, with some wonderful insights into Starling and especially Lecter's 'Palace of the Mind' along the way. Lecter's powerful presence permeates the book -- fascinating as always even as it frightens. The ending left me speechless with disbelief and admiration for Harris -- and how far he is willing to go. By the end the book is a twisted and beautiful, brilliantly Baroque masterpiece. Also recommended in this genre: Red Dragon, The Silence of the Lambs, The Green Mile, Mercy
Rating: 
Summary: The Thrill is Gone
Review: Having read _Red Dragon_ and _Silence of the Lambs_, I had looked forward to _Hannibal_, Mr. Harris' latest novel. While the language and prose was up to par, I never found the story very engaging. Worse, I never felt any sense of dread or suspense throughout the novel. There are parts that detail grisly murders, but it was more a sense of repulsion than true horror. I think I could have forgiven such short-comings, but then the ending left me completely baffled. After reading it several times, I puzzled out what exactly happened, but it left me feeling disbelief for the way events turned out. I certainly will not spoil the ending, however I will say that I found it highly unlikely. For the style and prose, as well as beautiful descriptions of Florence, I give it three stars, but I cannot say that I recommend it.
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Summary: The Author teases, as Hannibal does
Review: I very much enjoyed the book, but I did think that it went on and on and on to get to the jucier parts. At any rate, it's worth reading.
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Summary: Superb Entertainment
Review: This book was truly intriguing from cover to cover. Harris is a MASTER writer! For those who rated this below 4 or 5 stars, just who do think can do it better???
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Summary: Fascinating Psychology
Review: I've read through a lot of the reviews, and I thought I'd write my own here. I found the book to be an amazing portrayal of the mastermind that Hannibal Lecter is - it's no wonder he became a psychiatrist in his life, he has an unbelievable power over the people that he comes into contact with. Witness Clarice Starling, who seems to have been left shattered after Hannibal delves into her psyche in Silence of the Lambs. His effect on her seems to have been profound, her character in this book seems a bit lost and totally unsure about what she had thought to be true her entire life. (which i attribute to Lecter's probing of her in Silence of the Lambs) Throughout the book, we watch as Lecter weaves his power over the people in his life, whether it be through a lifelong pursuit of revenge, money, glory, fascination etc.. As we go along, we see some of lecters own psyche -- why he became what he became, his thoughts and dreams, etc.. The result is that the psychological games he plays (for me anyway) become obvious and more disturbing than the cannibalism/killing. As for the ending, I think it is the best scene of the master at work - he used every psychiatric method at his disposal to achieve his end. None of the reviews I've read seem to have mentioned one particular method, which I won't mention, but if you pay attention you'll see it for yourself. It's all in the details, as a good book should be. All I will say is that I'm not as disappointed in Clarice as everyone else seems to be. If you're into the rather mindless murder/mystery books, this probably won't be a good book to read. If you're into diving deep into the psyche of a person and seeing the results, even in the smallest details of the book, this one will fascinate. I'm still fascinated. :)
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Summary: What an ending!
Review: As I eagerly awaited this release, I worried that my expectations would exceed what Tom Harris would deliver. I was not disappointed. As the title indicates, this work is much more focused on Hannibal Lector than Harris's previous works. I found the imagry engaging and beautiful. The ending will definitly surprise, shock, and dismay you, but it was much more interesting than the traditional Hollywood ending. It makes one question what really motivates us and how one's belief system is impacted by those around us. Ever think you'd see Hannibal as the protaganist? You just may do so here, if only for the fact that you will have to choose him over greater evils.
Rating: 
Summary: A terrible and demented disappointment
Review: Mr. Harris excelled in his first two stories of Hannibal Lecter ("Red Dragon", "Silence Of The Lambs"). This latest installment is a horrific disappointment. When the book debuted in hardcover, much was made about some of the dark turns in this novel. Much of it I brushed off as critics overblowing a couple of small passages - especially since many of the same reviews praised it as being a terrific read. I did, however, wait until "Hannibal" hit paperback before I decided to read it. By then, there had been the mini-controversy over Jodie Foster refusing to star in the movie adaptation, and some other continued "warnings" of this book's dark plot. I am thoroughly convinced now that I should have paid more heed to the warning signals. There is the old expression that a book was so good, you couldn't put it down. Well, in the case of this book, it was so bad I couldn't wait to put it down. The entire book seemed geared to be less of a taut psychological thriller and more of a 500 page "contest" to see which character is the most perverted, demented, sickening, and twisted. The "conversion" of Clarice Starling from protagonist to willing accomplice seemed to be overly contrived and a lame path for Mr. Harris to take in the continuing saga of Starling and Lecter. The story and plot was so weighed down with the perverse and sick - that seemed to only escalate as the pages rolled on - that it moved at a snail's pace. By the story's merciful end, I was severely disappointed and disgusted. I know that the theme of my review makes me out to sound like a prude of sorts, but I have read my fair share of disturbing/scary books, both fiction and nonfiction, of this genre. It wasn't the theme that turned me off as much as it was that it was so over-the-top as to be an unwelcome turn-off. Moreover, my disappointment lies in the fact that Mr. Harris is obviously capable of finer, more frightening, and more satisfying work - as evidenced by "Red Dragon" and "Silence Of The Lambs". Personally, I hope that Mr. Harris ends his saga of Lecter here. To take it any further would be an even bigger waste of time, as he has done enough damage with "Hannibal" to render it unsalvagable. People who haven't already paid their money to make this a (unfortunate) bestseller should heed this warning: look elsewhere for a good read for your dollar...it's not to be found here. To echo the sentiment of a previous reviewer, kudos to Jodie Foster for passing on the movie adaptation. I wish I would have known then (when she passed) what I know now. I wouldn't have squandered my money on this distasteful clunker.
Rating:
Summary: Scary?
Review: I must admit that when I picked up this novel, I was expecting to be scared silly. I hate to disappoint everyone, but a cross-dressing midget is a scarier image than the ones this book creates. Albeit, the writing in this novel is above average, Harris leaves the reader wanting more. I must admit, that plot line was intriguing, but suffered from the "Hollywood Effect", that is, the author felt as though he was running out of room and tried to tie up everything quickly, leaving his reader out in the cold. The ending (not to give it away) is a considerable cop out, typical of this type of genre. The flushing out of Lecter's character was a welcome addition to the novel, but overall I felt as though the flushing out of his new persona was all for not. I just realized how negative this review turned out, if you are a fan of Stephen King, and the rest of "those" authors, feel free to pick up this one, you won't be let down. Typical of the genre, not adding anything new, Hannibal will take its place in the canon of the "modern horror fiction" novel.
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