Appearance
Hannibal
One would have to say that this is pure, unadulterated genius. If you had to read one book then it would have to be this. The very concept of delving into the mind palace of a 'monster' such as Dr Hannibal Lector is exquisite. Harris not only shows the reader some eerie background history to this most unique of villains, but also leaves the reader with something to consider at the conclusion. The end, for me, is brilliantly evil. Even though Starling may appear to be safe, one can not be quite sure whether Lector will not change his mind and use that cross bow of his. Starling will always (as does the reader) have that lurking fear. For me, inviting Paul Krendler 'for lunch' was just amazing. Harris knows how much we (and Clarice) hate Krendler. It therefore seems utterly fitting to gain 'our' revenge on him in the manner described. The ends do justify the means in this blinding array of plot and action. Mason Verger turns out to be seemingly just as evil as the thing he tries to catch. And the added bonus of F.B.I politics adds to the ever growing struggle that Starling goes through to try to reach her goal.One must also bere in mind the very title of this classic. By plainly calling it 'Hannibal' the reader is now on first name terms with Dr. Lector and thus become ever closer to understanding him as such a unique character. In the previous incarnations, the story never wholy revolved around the doctor. But with each installment of the Lector series, we gradually come closer into the fascinating world of this gentlemanly villain. Many have argued that by revealing Lector's past we are losing a mysterious edge to his attraction. Not so. I find that it is even MORE frightening that we are given the privilege to go inside such an horrific mind. And so, even though we know how he thinks, what his tastes are and of his fantasies, we are still drawn to sympathise with the Doctor. Is that not frightening?Within this fantastic novel, Harris explores everything that western society holds as its supposed morals and tastes. Of how we are lured by voyeurism, relatively relaxed at shocking things. Harris pushes the reader to the limit of acceptance. Those who merely disregard the scenes of graphic violence and horror as simply unecessary are missing the point entirely. Are we shocked at what we read? If we are then Harris has finally found something atrocious that holds our attention. Feeling sympathy towards Lector? Sick as it may seem, it is possible, and Harris succeeds in bringing it out in us. That is the measure of the man! We regard our society as civilised and progressive. Harris shows that in many ways we are (through the character of Mason Verger) just as barbaric as the seemingly 'primitive' behaviour of Lector. Western society should look in a mirror once in a while.Overall, never have I read a book that played with my mind as much as this did. A stylish, almost gothic novel such as this even manages to drag (as already mentioned)some sympathy towards Dr. Lector. A book that can accomplish that is superbly crafted.I Know that in parts I did not want this fiendishly good villain to perish, I was over joyed that my wish was granted.
Hannibal
Thomas Harris has the ability to say terrible things and present horrific images with a verbal delivery so "deadpan" and swift (in its economy) that for the reader it is like being raped before we realize any of our buttons have been undone. The author's "neutral" stance on inter-species and human cannabalism, for example, can only be seen as a great comic vision that "this too does not really matter." Harris, the ironist, identifies God (p.256) as the great sadistic ironist whose games of human cruelty pale into insignificance Hannibal's own little predations. This realization comes to Dr. Lecter as a six year old, after seeing the baby teeth of his cannabilized sister in the stinking feces of her anonymous human predators. The final "dining scene," so finely wrought with its elegance and utter sophistication, once again is best understood as comic -- given the incongruity of the highest "cuisine aesthetic" juxtaposed with the gentle feeding on a living human brain. Dr. Lecter's ruthless and powerful seduction of "goodness" (Starling) is greatly aided by the ever-presented documentation that the universe is unbelievably cruel, arbitrary, or at least profoundly uncaring. That the fully trained and brilliant psychiatrist, Dr. Hannibal Lecter, knows this (as does the author) is his only redemption. The refined feast of evil presented to us in such an orderly and dispassionate fashion in this novel is the comic cover for the dark, limitless, and terrifying process of entropy that we as readers are allowed to apprehend only from a distance.
Hannibal
Harris ties up all sorts of loose ends in this frightening, satisfying, and surprising work. Of course we want to know what went into the making of the demented genius, Hannibal the Cannibal. How could we leave him, and Clarice, without knowing what is to become of them? Therapy for the therapist, release of the true personality, removal of masks both perceived and hidden, true heroism... Harris is excellent at developing characters according to their own inner truths. I wish he would write more ordinary mysteries, however, with tidy little murders in them. Sometimes the "ick" factor gets to me.
Hannibal
Perhaps the screen play will be void of the lackluster plots Harris has used in this novel. I must admit that I was a true fan of the Silence of the Lambs piece and was expecting much more with Hannibal. For me, it was not near as appetizing!
Hannibal
liked the pigs thought that was unusually well done. I'm also a writer and wish I was as good at narratve and dialogue as he is. But EXCUSE ME, the ending was ridiculous!
Hannibal
The characters draw you right in. Dr. Lecter becomes our anti-hero evoking abhorrence and sympathy at the same time. On the surface this tale can seem highly improbable but considering all the facts behind Lecter and Starlings lives It becomes all too believeable. I had my doubts about the authors being able to top his last tale of Dr. Lecter or even being able to equal it but I think he has succeded. A very compelling read.