Rating: 
Summary: If Books Could Kill...
Review: ...this would easily do the job. English not being my native language, I have to point out the beautifully composed English in which Harris writes. It also helped me deal with the gory details which were depicted tastefully though. Harris really has an psychological eye which reflects in his characters. It was captivating to learn more about Starling and Lecter. Most suspense novels concentrate more on the gore and less on the characters but that never was Harris' besetting sin. Puzzling though was 'the explanation' Lecter's insanity got but acceptable still. I won't even go to the finalé which was more surprising I could imagine, disturbing even. As a distiction to his three previous Hannibal-books, this lacked some sense of reality. 'Dragon' and 'Lambs' were both blood-dripping and gory but still quite 'real'. Hannibal FELT like fiction. These kind of characters just don't exist. Still, the book is enjoyable and great suspense. While reading this, I had to check every closet and peer vigilantly at all entrances. Horror has no need for reality, nor does the sub-conscious mind and it's just where this book sets its goal -and makes a hit.
Rating: 
Summary: Beautiful!
Review: Another brilliant book by the master of suspense Thomas Harris. It is rendered in exquisite detail,and memorable for it's frightening,unflinching presentation of evil. The gore and disembowling only adds to it's peculiar charm.And Clarice Starling,cool,confident,sure-footed is back,forced to re-evaluate herself when a drug bust goes bad!Highly recommended!
Rating: 
Summary: Couldn't Put it Down, but Didn't Stay With Me
Review: I admit, as soon as my friend finished this book, I snatched it up and began reading. And finished it pretty much the same day. And yes, bits and pieces of it are memorable, particularly the climax (which will probably be the world's worst kept secret by the time the movie comes out)--I certainly haven't forgotten that. But the slow build and creepy moods and masterful characterizations of RED DRAGON and SILENCE OF THE LAMBS are nowhere to be found here. I've heard that Harris had this manuscript published as he submitted it, with no editorial changes--it shows, and not in a good way. The writing is self-indulgent and over the top and turns Hannibal Lecter into a caricature of himself.
Rating:
Summary: Hannibal the "Hero"?
Review: Who would have thought you would be rooting for Hannibal? That's about what says it all. How Hannibal is honorable cannibal who is just mis-understood. I would have never thought he would be turned into the "hero" but that is exactly what has happened here. And one of his victims is the real villian? Starling traveling the world with him as his "love interest"? Come on! It's a total departure from the original story line and not very believeable at that. The book isn't a total waste of time - I had to read it to see where all of it was going. But if you're looking for something will scare you, forget it.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic
Review: Few books have inspired as much conversation and thought as this one did for me. If you can move beyond Harris' hyperbole of cannibalism into a more theoretical space involving consumption, preservation, and waste, you'll love this book. Otherwise, you'll probably still like it, but just be grossed out by it. In either case, it's well worth the read.
Rating: 
Summary: disappointing...
Review: Have you ever had the feeling, while reading a book, that the author has run out of good ideas and is simply writing for the sake of writing? Have you ever known an author to add shocking things, regardless of how rediculous they may sound, just for the sake of shocking? Have you ever known an author to use names, from some of his past books, on completely different characters that have nothing to do with the characters used in those previous books? Have you ever known an imposter to get a book published under a well know author's name? I was very disappointed with this book. Red Dragon and Silence of the Lambs were excellent, which is why I just can't figure out what happend with Hannibal. I figure that at least one of the above questions is the appropriate one to ask. I finished this book, which is why it got 2 stars, since I reserve 1 star for books I can't even finish. It was close though, being that looking back upon my decision, and the fact that the book just got worse as I continued, I probably should not have finished this book. At least if I would have put the book down prior to the approximate page of 100, I would not have gotten the distorted image of previously used, brilliantly contrived characters. And, my only negative memory of the book would have been that it was unrealistic. At least my image of Starling and Hannibal would have been preserved at what I previously thought...brilliant. Unfortunately, it's too late for that...I read on.
Rating:
Summary: Ambivalence
Review: After reading the reviews of readers who disliked this novel, I can understand why they didn't like it. If you want to read a novel with clear-cut heroes and villians, this book is not for you. If you like the classic happy ending, read elsewhere. Harris' main characters in this novel, with the possible exception of Mason, are more real than many fictitious characters. They are not all good or all bad- they can experience ambivalence and in order to enjoy this novel, the reader must be able to tolerate that. I struggled with my feelings of empathy for Hannibal throughout this novel. I was shocked to find myself actually rooting for him, and I was disdained that I was acutally pleased with ending. I like that Harris has created a portrait of reality in that nothing is ever Black and White. Besides that, I found this book to be a great read.
Rating: 
Summary: Warning Warning Avoid This Book!
Review: Ugg. I can't believe they're going to make it a movie! I was really looking forward to this book because I loved the first movie, but gees, talk about torture. Hannibal, who was such a fasniating character before was made soft and good guyish with a sad past, they ruined him. Then there was that 100 some-odd page Italian section with the psycho inspector who seemed obsessed with his own name that was nothing short of maddening. It took me almost three weeks just to get through that part, and that was only because I forced myself on. Clarice I had no quirl with until the end. THAT would not have happened. No way no how. Do your eyes and mind a favor and avoid this book.
Rating:
Summary: Another Great Harris Novel
Review: I loved this book. I could not stop reading it, and this is coming from a college student who hates to read. It is just as good as the other Harris novels, with an ending I particularly enjoyed. If you want to be electrified by the details of a hunt for a brilliant serial killer. Read this book. Bravo Tommy!
Rating:
Summary: Beutifally Written.
Review: I simply don't understand why people don't love this book. I think this book got such low ratings was because Clarice Starling was everyone's likeable hero in "Silence of the Lambs". I wish you people would stop letting her suck you up, read Silence of the Lambs again, and look at how weird she actually was. And also if you didn't read Silence of the Lambs, there is no possible way you can understand Hannibal. I enjoyed Hannibal immensly. I liked it better than his previous book, it concludes the whole series with a beautifal ending. In Silence of the Lambs, especially in the movie, you get this huge impression that Dr. Lecter is a monster. A savage killing monster. Not true. You'll find out the more you read that Dr. Lecter isn't at all insane. He kills people but he's courteous and smart. Since Special Agent Starling was crazy ever since she was ten years old, I don't really find the ending very surprising at all! But actually more breath taking! I suggest you read all of his books, and come to understand them better, and find out how great of an author he really is. Thank you.
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