Customer Reviews
Very well written and thoroughly enjoyable - By: Mrs. S. Payne, 09 Apr 2008 
I had unfortunately seen the film before I read this book & I was angry with myself as I did imagine the characters as Jodie Foster & Anthony Hopkins. But aside from that, I reallly enjoyed this book. I knew the storyline but the book goes into so much more detail. I found myself being surprised that the film did not contain some of the detail of the book. Thomas Harris is so easy to read & I read the book very quickly. The scenes with Buffalo Bill are so disturbing; you can imagine the situations alll too easily. The conversations between Clarice & Hannibal were fantastic & I could feel the emotion in the words. Very well written & thoroughly enjoyable. I'm now reading Hannibal.
Perfection is possible - By: Publishing phenomenon, 24 Feb 2008 Is Hannibal not at heart, a Nietzschean academic, solely interested in his intellectual pursuits? "Ecce homo" & Nietzche's later work prefigures much of Hannibal's superiority complex. He sees himself as beyond good & evil.
What does he covet? We see in "Hannibal"... the academic position in Florence... This is his ideal life. Is he not just a deep thinker who has acquired the twin bad habits (addictions?) of rage & eating the victims of his anger?
A faultless thriller (and much better than later Hannibal eposides) - By: Hooligween, 21 Aug 2007 If you're looking for what may be the best-ever, scary yet compelling page-turner written in modern times then this may well be it.
The film was a roaring success in part because of excellent actors & direction -- but it was based upon a superb thriller to start with & the novel is always worth reading & re-reading.
The characters of Clarice & Lecter are superbly well developed, & the torment & fear of the victims is so infectious that I zoomed through the pages -- couldn't put it down until I hit the conclusion.
This is the book which started a whole genre of fiction, an entire new kind of antihero character. (There's a rumour that the Scully character in the X-Files was loosely based around Clarice... & here is where you get your first glimpse of the forensic situations which have made CSI such a success).
And while Red Dragon is also an excellent, it doesn't hit the ferocious intensity of Lambs... while later episodes of the Lecter story make him too likeable & nowhere near as fascinating as the threatening monster who looms large in Starling's life.
A great read, whether you have tried the film or other Harris novels or not. This is the one not to miss!
Incredible! - By: A reader!, 20 Jan 2007 I am 15 & after reading this book can think of no other word to describe it other than this-phenomenal. Could hardly put it down, its so exciting with stories & characters that you reallly get involved with!!! You reallly REALLY want to know what happens & i could hardly stop myself from turning to the end just to find out what happens. WOWOWOWOWOWOW!!!! READ IT-you don't know what you are missing!
Also, i havent seen the film, so.............if that sways your judgement in any way...........im happy to help!!!
I reallly hope there is going to be another one coming out after hannibal rising (that i am reading at the moment!!!!) I love it so much!
ALSO-dont be put off because i said i was 15, because occasionly even i am when i see someone has put that!
In conclusion, find yourself a free few weekends & weekday evening & read alll of the hannibal books; you WONT be dissapointed!
GO FOR THE BOOK NOT THE MOVIE - By: James Parker -Rothchilds, 05 Jan 2007 I remember the movie from way back, & this book by Thomas Harris convinced me yet again (As if I ever doubted it) that the written word is far more entertaining & enjoyable than the big screen.
The book took me in straight away & the evil face of Hannibal Lector portrayed by Hopkins in the movie, climbed into bed with me each night, as I flicked off the light switch.
A compelling, yet at times disturbing read, that makes it hard to put the book down. If you enjoyed the movie, the book is an absolute must!
