This book does not lack even a drop of suspense. ‘Thrilling‘ is just another word to describe it. And yes, the more you read, the more you will find yourself surrounded by the likes of Clarence Starling, Dr. Hannibal Lecter, Jack Crawford, Dr. Chilton, in other words, the world of Hannibal created executively by Thomas Harris.
I remember watching The Silence of the Lambs, and then I had no idea in what I am indulging my curiosity. But it was fascinating, and horrifying, and more fascinating. Then came Hannibal created by Bryan Fuller which I can say just polishes one’s fascination and is adapted in a whole new way. Playing with original characters with elegance and style is what Bryan Fuller has done with it.
The world of Hannibal, even though he eats other mammals, is one of the most captivating one. We, humans, will be referring it for ages. Even though we know it is morally wrong to eat our own species, and the fact that he has maroon eyes but we love Hannibal for it. He is a source of fulfilling our darkest fantasies. He is the one antagonist that none are reluctant to. Okay, I know I am being obsessive, but I am not a cannibal and I don’t even eat meat. (And I am not going to eat you so that you can continue to read the post).
The Silence of the Lambs tells the story of FBI student Clarice Starling and her work with Jack Crawford, the head of Behavioral Science, the FBI division that deals with serial murder, to find serial killer ‘Buffalo Bill’. He sends her on what seems a harmless errand, to present a questionnaire to one Dr. Hannibal ‘The Cannibal’ Lecter, and with this the chase for Buffalo Bill is on. The conflict and themes are varied, the dialogue is quite genuine, the plot is twisted and the details are well researched.
The unnamed narrator delivers the story with a controlled omniscient view that allows us to experience the events from many perspectives, even the antagonists, yet the reader’s connection with the protagonists, Starling and Crawford, is unquestioned. We root for Starling because we’ve all been in situations where it felt as if the world worked against, while the reader sympathies with Crawford and his tragedy. The narrator then develops the relation between Starling and Lecter.
Leaving out the characters of Starling, Lecter, and Crawford, one will find that other characters are well-formed too. There is no lack of scheming by Harris in forming his characters. Whenever he thinks, a reader might fall in love with or sympathies with one of his puppets, he adds another knot to the thread.
Highly recommended if you are looking to buzz your imagination.
5 out of 5!
Love the film – would like to read this!
It’s a must read if you love the film 🙂
One of my fav movies/books!
It’s a tough call for me. I like them both 🙂
I am a big fan of Hannibal Lecter through the various movies, Silence of the Lambs being a favorite, Your review does make me want to read the book as well
It’s a very good book. Have you watched Hannibal tv series?
No. I have seen all of the movies, but not the series.
IT’s great! 🙂
I’ll keep it in mind. I have seen it listed before. Thanks for the heads up. 😉
I love this book. And the movie. And I love the other books Red Dragon, Hannibal and Hannibal Raising…
Hannibal Rising was an average book to me, but yeah, the first to books are great 🙂
True… The worst of the once I’ve mentioned. Or maybe I am confusing it with another one…
I too have read this book. It was absolutely brilliant. The way Harris presents Hannibal Lecter is so frightening. What a brilliantly written character! My favourite bit was the line where Lecter compliments Clarice on her handbag. It was so creepy!
Great post.
Thanks 🙂 Yeah, the description provided by Harris for Lecter is amazing!
Back when this book came out, I was writing horror novels published by Pinnacle/St. Martin’s. And my editor said to me, “Write us a Thomas Harris.” For which, of course, they will pay me like Lee Duigon. I can never think of “Silence of the Lambs”–yes, an extremely good book–without thinking of this lamebrain at Pinnacle who was all the publishing industry’s flaws personified.
I will definitely check your book. Sounds interesting 🙂
Sounds good! 🙂 Cool review!
Thanks 🙂
Reblogged this on dewdropper bopper and commented:
“Okay, I know I am being obsessive, but I am not a cannibal and I don’t even eat meat. (And I am not going to eat you so that you can continue to read the post).”
OK… whatever you say. 😀
I read it years ago….it still is with me!!!
You need to read Red Dragon. In my opinion it is an even better book than the later ones.
I have read Red Dragon. I feel it’s a great start to the Lecter fantasy. 🙂