Rating: 
Summary: Spellbinding
Review: Whether you saw the movie or not, buy the book and read it. Even if you know what's going to happen, Harris' way of telling the story is magnificent and spellbinding. Talk about your page turners! While not for the faint-of-heart, it was nowhere as graphic as I expected. Still, it will get your pulse-rate up. Don't miss this one.Also recommended: Bark of the Dogwood by McCrae and Lasher by Rice
Rating: 
Summary: Sensational but not evocative
Review: I had heard so much about this book for sucha long time that I finally decided to give it a shot... The book was riveting, the ghastly ideas were original and scary, but the giddy queasiness one should get by reading a book like this was missing. The gruesomeness was absent, the ideas were there, but the descritions were falling short of evoking the very eerie feeling. At no point did I shudder and close the book saying, "Oh! My Gosh! I can go no further". It all sank in well, it was as if such a story could happen in reality. And I must say, I have quite a faint heart!!! The character of Hannibal Lector was awesome though. He comes across truly as a genius, who cannot be despised for being a criminal, but revered for his fertile and intelligent brain. He embodies all the traits of a thinking mind, deducing, observing, extrapolating facts to comprehend complex mental processes. His character makes the story fashionable and appeals to the intellectual minds. Due to him, the story no longer remains a man-hunting, cruel, bloody saga... it becomes a mind game played by a magnificent brain. The book makes a good read, but doesnt live up to the hype surrounding it. But I still recommend it becuase it is still one of the best in its genre!
Rating:
Summary: Better than the movie
Review: This book was amazing. Hannibal Lecter has to be one of the most enduring literary and film villians of all time. I saw the movie before I read the book, but if you're in the same boat don't let it stop you from reading the book. The book is still very creepy and worth the read. But it does help if you read Red Dragon first. Read this series in order and you will feel immensly satisfied when you complete it.
Rating:
Summary: an awesome thriller...
Review: As a fan of thriller books, this tops them all. I read this book prior to seeing the VHS version of 'the silence of the lambs'...I would recommend this book to anyone, and I would also recommend reading the book before seeing the motion picture...
Rating:
Summary: Comparable to the Movie!
Review: In Thomas Harris' classic thriller (skip this paragraph if you've seen the movie,) FBI agent-to-be Clarice Starling is put on a case because of lack of manpower. Her job is to interview a former serial killer in a hospital for the criminally insane to try to find clues on how to catch another serial killer known as Buffalo Bill. The character of Hannibal Lecter (the imprisoned killer) is the most passively vicious villain ever. He likes to play games with anyone who will talk to him, Clarice and others. He will not respond to anyone unless they will answer his questions which are often very personal. He makes Clarice tell him about her childhood and her darkest nightmares. In exchange, he gives her clues about the case. If someone comes to him asking for clues and they will not answer his questions, he will ignore them or, worse yet, lead them astray. Clarice and the FBI have to investigate his often subtle clues to try to end the dreadful killings. I like how Harris makes Clarice stand up strong, and often alone, in the male-dominated FBI. She is a very intense character. We learn much about how her mind works as she interviews Lecter and tracks down Buffalo Bill. The scariest feeling in the book is how Clarice begins to think like Lecter to try to understand his clues. This book gave me a small picture of what being a criminal psychologist would be like. All the characters were very vivid. If all authors wrote like this, books would never be boring. This thriller is for everyone, especially those who loved the movie. Lecter is just as sinisterly portrayed as in the movie, and the book will keep you just as wide awake and on the edge of your seat. "Over this odd world, this half the world that's dark now, I have to hunt a thing that lives on tears."
Rating: 
Summary: I Enjoyed It.
Review: Well, I wrote a review a while ago of this book before I had seen the movie, and promised to write another one after I had seen the film. Well, before I watched Jonathan Demme's "The Silence of the Lambs," I read the novels "The Silence of the Lambs" and "Hannibal." And the other day, I had a four film marathon which consisted of "Manhunter," "Red Dragon," "The Silence of the Lambs" and "Hannibal." I must say I was just a wee bit dissipointed with the film version of this novel. I thought it was a very good movie, and have already watched it three times, but I have been hearing so much about how it was the absolute SCARIEST and absolute GORIEST and absolute BEST movie ever made, and I felt a bit dissipointed on all of those levels. While I was dissipointed, I felt it was still an excellent film. Compared to Brian Cox's subtler and closer-to-the-book version of Hannibal Lector in "Manhunter," I thought Anthony Hopkins' interprtation of him in "The Silence of the Lambs" was a lot better, and much more memorable. Hopkins eats up the screen with panache and remains the most memorable thing in the movie. He is simply amazing. I think I enjoyed the movie a little more than the book because it was easier to understand what was going on visually. For example, every scene with Lector, Lector's escape, the showdown with Buffalo Bill and the autopsy scene were all much more effective here. In the novel, all we have are Hannibal's words and Clarice's words, but in the movie, we see Hannibal's expressions and Clarice's face and it was all much more interesting to me in the film. I don't really "picture" characters when I read a book, so I wasn't dissipointed with any of the actors in the film version. Ted Levine was really, REALLY scary as Jame Gumb and that trick he did with his richard near the end will haunt me forever. Jodie Foster was good as Clarice and Scott Glenn was suitable as Crawford (though I preferred Dennis Farina in "Manhunter"). Anyway, in comparision to the film, my opinion on the book hasn't changed much. I enjoyed the book the first time I read and now that I've seen the movie I still think it's good. Not good enough for five stars, but still quite good. Thomas Harris' writing style was unique and it seems like hwe put alot of research into the way the FBI functions because the whole book seemed quite realistic. Anyway, my recommendation is to read the book then see the movie. The movie, I thought, was better, but the book is still a good read. Incidentally, I liked the novel "Hannibal" MUCH better, however. John
Rating:
Summary: The best novel of serial murder ever written
Review: There's not much I can say that hasn't already been said. This is one of the best novels ever written, bar none. Everything is top notch, the plot (witness how many novels in the nineties and beyond basically steal most if not all of their plots from this book), characters, writing, etc. If a crime novel could be called perfect, this is it. And as with any work of art, the novel will leave a definite impression on you and make you think when you finish it. There's a reason why every book reviewer compares a book's villain(s) to Hannibal Lecter. Read this book and find out why. Highly, VERY HIGHLY, recommended
Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Read
Review: I may be 12, but I still can enjoy a good and sophisticated book. I have never seen the "Silence of the Lambs" movie, but I read the book. You see, I was checking out my grandma's book collection, and I happened to catch a glimpse of one book sitting on the shelf. I picked it up, dusted it off, and discovered it was "The Silence of the Lambs." I had heard the movie was really good, but I'd never heard anybody talk about a book. In fact, I didn't even know there was a book. I thought it might be an adaption of the movie, but the (really cool) cover said "The #1 New York Times Bestseller Is Now The Movie Event Of The Year." It was a pretty old book. My grandma let me borrow it, and I started reading it. It started a little slow, but quickly got pretty exciting. I think that it is best for me to review this book without seeing the movie, because I wn't make comparisions and stuff. Later, I'll write one after I've seen the movie. Clarice Starling is an FBI trainee with a wierd past. She gets a call from Jack Crawford one day, and meets up with him. He tells her a killer only known as "Buffalo Bill" is on the loose and killing young women. He thinks that Hannibal "The Cannibal" Lector might know somehing. Hannibal is locked away in a very high security mental institution, where he amuses himself by reminiscing (sp?) about the past, drawing things and writing letters or words of wisdom. Hannibal is a genius, but an evil one. After eating a bit of a nurse, he's been locked away for a long time. Clarice meets with him, and discovers he is a true gentlemen. He is polite, uses appropriate grammar, but happens to have a fondness for eating meat that's not quite the kind we get at the store. He agrees to help her, if she'll exchange information about her past. With every complicated hint, she gets closer to finding out who Buffalo Bill really is and where he is. The clock is ticking, he has just kidnapped the senator's daughter, and it's up to her to solve the mystery! This was a good book. I didn't think it was great, but I enjoyed it and finished it quickly. I'm aware that there are other Lector books (and movies) which include "Red Dragon" and "Hannibal." I haven't read these. I don't think it's important, because I understood the plot fine. I thought the creepy thing about this movie was that it was realistic and could actually happen. There are tons of sickos in this world like Buffalo Bill, and some evil geniuses like Hannibal Lector. My favorite part of this story was the final showdown with Buffalo Bill and Clarice Starling. The suspense leading up to it was great. The way Thomas Harris writes was very strange. It was written almost like something you would read in a police file. It sounded factual and not fictional. I think that added to its sense of realism. I liked the character of Starling, but I found her a little dull. Maybe in the movie she's better. Anyway, I'm gonna go have a movie marathon of Lector (in this order: "Manhunter," "Red Dragon," "The Silence Of The Lambs," and "Hannibal"). This was a cool book and I think you should read it. Incidentally, the one my grandma had was old, and had a cover way cooler than the ones now. It showed half of Clarice Starling's face on the left side, tinted blue. On the right side was half of Hannibal Lector's face. The moth symbol was between them, and there are wings covering their lips. If you find this at an old used book store, get it because it is way cooler that the ones out now. Hope my review helped. I'll write another after I see the movie. John
Rating:
Summary: One of the best books I've ever read
Review: In the middle book of the Hannibal Lecter series, FBI trainee Clarice Starling is given the odd task of questioning Hannibal "the Cannibal" Lecter to build up a psychological profile on him. Lecter's answers get Clarice involved with the hunt for a serial killer known as only Buffalo Bill.
What started as an odd but safe assignment may lead Clarice to catch a killer or it may end her career or even her life. I can't really say much about the plot of this book but you've probably seen the movie anyway. This is probably one of the best books I've ever read. It really sucks you in and won't let you go till you're finished. Harris has an interesting way with characterization. A simple, unimportant fact about a character can render you emotionally connected to them. You'll like this book if you like the movie. You'll like this book if you like thrillers. You'll like this book if you are just a fan of well written books. Whatever, just get it!
Rating:
Summary: The Silence of the Lambs
Review: I read the book, "The Silence of the Lambs", written by Thomas Harris. On a scale from 1 to 5 (with five being the highest) I give it a 5. The Silence of the lambs is a fast paced book, which makes it hard to put down. There is never a dull moment, due to the excellent writing of Thomas Harris. The characters Hannibal Lector and Clarice Starling are each unique, and the psychological aspects of this book are outstanding. "Well, Clarice, have the lambs stopped screaming?" (Harris p.366). Harris' amazing use of words and interaction between characters makes this book "spine-tingling" and "master of suspense," claims the Boston Herald. In this book you can follow Clarice Starling, a trainee of behavioral science unit of the F.B.I as she tries to find a deadly serial killer on the loose. During the investigation we discover that Starling has a number of frailties in character. A strong-willed woman coming from a "low class" upbringing, Starling fears that her peers will associate her abilities with her background. She dreads the idea that others would not allow themselves to see past her upbringing towards her unique ability to succeed. While tracking the killer, she begins to learn the psychological games of the one and only Dr.Hannibal Lector, who is locked away in a dark prison chamber. If you are into suspenseful, scary, mystery-horror books, then "The Silence of the Lambs" is definitely a book that you should check out. If you liked Hannibal by Thomas Harris or "Felony Murder" by Joseph T. Klempher, you will love this book.
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