Rating: 
Summary: Sometimes, there really are monsters...
Review: The term "horror" is often misused today when applied to literature or film. It connotes an image of spilt blood, slashing knives, masked figures, and nubile teenager girl with underdeveloped bodies and personalities. If I asked someone to name a horror author, I'm sure Stephen King would come to mind, although King's books haven't scared me in a long time, full of the same sort of characteristics I've just described.But to me, horror is much more than flesh and blood. Like H.P. Lovecraft who argued that horror came from within, I believe that it is actually a sense, an emotion so deep within us that when exposed to genuine terror (as opposed to slick, Hollywood produced images) we feel our hearts quicken and our muscles tighten in anticipation of response. Fight or flight. The terror compounds when we are faced with human monsters, rather than the supernatural, the ones that lurk in our neighborhoods, in our homes, or in our hearts. Thomas Harris' The Silence of the Lambs is an excellent example of true horror. Originally published in 1988, adapted to film in 1991, and reissued in a lovely trade paperback edition for the tenth anniversary last fall, the novel is actually a sequel of sorts to an earlier Harris novel, Red Dragon, which was also adapted into film ("Manhunter," 1986) yet not as successful as its sequel. Perhaps this was due in part to the relatively unknown cast, although still an excellent gathering of fine actors. Lambs had Glen Campbell, Jodi Foster, and Anthony Hopkins, the latter two also won international acclaim for their portrayals. The film generated an enormous response, and even influenced this reviewer to create a character modeled heavily on Foster's portrayal of FBI Academy trainee, Clarice Starling. In Lambs, Clarice Starling is a cadet enlisted by Jack Crawford (played by Campbell, heavily based on real-life profiled, John Douglas) to interview Lector in connection with an open case file on a serial killer nicknamed "Buffalo Bill." Bill, it seems, has been kidnapping women, holding them for some time, then killing and skinning them for some unknown purpose. His methods and locale vary, but there is one similar characteristic among the victims: they are all large-framed and young. The FBI cannot determine a pattern in his behavior, however, so they hope a questionnaire applied to known and detained serial killers will help in developing a profile on Bill. And so, Clarice is sent to interview Hannibal Lector, a former psychiatrist who devoured parts of his victims, occasionally serving them in gourmet meals -- without telling, of course -- to party guests. An intelligent, perceptive, and attractive trainee with a severed past, meager finances, and a very strong desire to advance in the Bureau, Clarice is anxious to participate. Ambition is her flaw, her weakness, and it is a veil which covers her eyes sometimes. Clarice valiantly attempts to question Lector, but he quickly sees through the plan. He knows that Crawford is desperate to include him in the survey, but Lector feels he is well above -- and he is -- such amaturish questions. Lector dismisses her efforts; he is much more interested in worming his way into her mind, her heart, and yes, her soul. He becomes Clarice's own personal Mephistopheles, the demon who demands a high price to satisfy his own twisted sense of pleasure. "Quid pro quo" means information about Bill in exchange for information about Clarice -- her feelings, her past, herself. The relationship between Clarice and Lector is complex, taking on multiple levels and roles as the plot unfolds. Criminal-investigator. Mentor-student. Father-daughter. Experience lover-virgin. Their interactions are no less dynamic or stimulating. Although the stakes radically increase when Bill kidnaps a senator's only daughter, it is the seduction, the unholy bond between Clarice and Lector which drive this story. The horror of this text is two-fold. First, there is Bill, the slayer and tanner of human hides. Based partially on several real life serial killers, including William Gacy who skinned his victims, Bill is an emotionally-imbalanced and psychologically-twisted individual who appears relatively normal on the outside. No one really knows who he is -- background, childhood, or motivation. He could be the man down the street or your next door neighbor. Bill is the embodiment of serial killers, a chameleon who drifts in and out of stores, classrooms, hospitals, and churches without capturing attention and yet the horror of his actions causes us to grimace and fear the unknown. The second horror of Lambs is Lector himself. As a man whose intelligence cannot be measured by any means humanly possible, nor his actions understood, Lector is one to be genuinely feared. When I found even more terrifying than the man himself was how willing Clarice became, how quickly she fell under his "spell," in order to advance in the Bureau and solve the case. Clarice is one of the finest female characters I've ever read -- strong, intelligent, and capable. Determined, too, yet I wondered at what point Clarice might stop herself in time before Lector's hypnotic stare and languishing voice overwhelmed even her internal strength. Harris' writing style can be frustrating at times, a mixture of past and present tense and conflicting perspectives, but these distractions are minor when the psychology of the text is considered. I can forgive Harris for these errors because he's supposed to be writing a sequel -- no word on when it will ever appear, although Hollywood is pressing forward with its version next year -- and because he genuinely scared me. I know there are monsters out there -- murderers, rapists, and child molesters -- and I know how easy it is for them to hide, so it was a relief when I finally finished the book and put it away. Something like Lambs can only be read every few years; when it's done, it's done, and everything is good again. But what really scares me is that I cannot close the cover on the monsters out there.
Rating:
Summary: SPIFFING
Review: This book was brilliant and was outstandingly detailed, the author has a great mind to imagine all the horrific events. I have seen the film and the book is far better, it gives out so much description.
Rating:
Summary: Incredible characters
Review: As a general rule, I don't read horror too much, but when my father mentioned that the "most evil" character ever was Hannibal Lecter, I knew I had to read _Silence of the Lambs_. Not surprisingly, I found it spectacular. Having always been of the opinion that a good story centers around its characters, this book snapped me up from the start. All of the characters are developed and detailed, not to mention unique. Thomas Harris doesn't stop there; he mixes symbolism (I love the way the title is made!) and suspense in as well, bringing the classic countdown to death into play, but somehow he does it without reminding the reader too much of how often it's used. My only regret is that there's but one other book with Dr. Lecter in it.
Rating:
Summary: Quite an acchievement, shockingly intense.
Review: When I read this book it scared my pants off. The thought that wierdos, such as described in the book, could be living next door disturbed me. I read Mr. Harris' excellent novel before I saw the intense movie. The book, in my eyes, was much more shocking. I look at this book, in some ways, as a psychoanalysis. It vividly explores the minds of vicious psychopaths. It leaves you wondering: What will happen to Dr. Lecter, the personification of evil? Was he really all evil? Among many other questions. Yet it was not the least bit unsattisfying. I would suggest this book to anyone who hasn't had a nightmare in a while. But don't waste your time listening to me. BE YOUR OWN CRITIC!
Rating:
Summary: Uniquely evil, it's villains are people next door.
Review: I read the book years ago, and was delighted to see how well done the film was. Harris' characters are so well thought out, never giving in to silly"jump out at you in the dark" cliches that so many ordinary writers rely on. Now if only there was a sequel...
Rating:
Summary: Never can u get a better book that is better than the movie
Review: For all of those fans of Hannibal Lecter, the gruesome sociopathic charachter in the Thomas Harris' series, Silence of the Lambs leaves u on your seat. Whether u saw the movie before or after the book, u can still feel the amazing power written. The book is definately more intense than movie. Also, if u like Hannibal Lecter u can also read about him in Harris' prequel, Red Dragon. I highly recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: Deserves a place among the classics.
Review: I had not seen the movie when I decided to read this book. This is because I was about eight years old when Silence of the Lambs won its academy award for best picture. I love thrillers and this was right up my alley. It was impossible to put down. By far the best thriller I've ever read. I also loved Red Dragon. I hope Mr. Harris decides to bless us with another novel, AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, he's amazing.
Rating:
Summary: Utterly awesome
Review: I read this book a few years back way before the movie came out. My cousin convinced me to read it, and let me tell you it is one book that I will never regret reading. As a matter of fact, I've read it more than once. After I finished the book, my cousin and I thought that it would make a great movie, and we went over the characters and tried to figure out who would be best playing each part. We came up with Jodie Foster, but I can't remember who else we thought would play the parts of the other characters. When it actually was made into a movie, my cousin and I were first in line at the theater on opening night. The book was extremely descriptive, I felt like I was right there with Clarice and Hannibal. It is very rare that you find a movie that is almost identical to the book and both are excellent. This book falls into that category. I still own the book, and I plan on reading it when I finish reading my current book, "The Killing Floor".
Rating:
Summary: Thomas Harris + Paper and Pen = A Brilliant Piece of Work
Review: I admit having watched the movie before reading the book, and was somewhat surprised when someone urged me to buy it. I wasn't aware there was a book at all! But even without having seen the movie, the book is a delightful maelstrom of emotions, intelligence, manipulation and horror. Doctor Hannibal Lecter is both brilliant on-paper as he is on-screen (thanks to Anthony Hopkins scintillating performance). But I prefer reading him - watching in my mind's eye as he manipulates any conversation and manages to outshine any of the more conventional methods of investigation. Clarice Starling, who manages to both impress Lecter and the reader, is indeed nothing ordinary, as Hannibal relates. A fabulous book, easily my favorite, and I'm on my way to reading Red Dragon as we speak. Thomas Harris deserves utmost praise! (And how about another movie with this intrepid duo? I wouldn't mind it in the least!)
Rating:
Summary: Just like the movie.
Review: Harris is such an effective writer that when you create the scenes in your head, they end up looking just like the movie, even if you have not seen it. The only thing that Harris is better at than writing, is thinking. Anyone who is capable of creating a character like Dr. Hannibal Lecter through imagination and manipulation of prose, deserves your full attention ... and you won't regret giving it.
|
