Rating: 
Summary: Almost as good as the film
Review: Unlike most people, I read Red Dragon AFTER seeing the movie, and unlike most people, I think the film is better. The book is, however, an excellent read that lets you into the mind of an insane mass murderer. The main character is ex-FBI agent Will Graham, the man who caught Hannibal the Cannibal. He was seriously hurt in their last encounter, and quit the Bureau; now his old boss has begged him to come back. Will visits his old nemesis, Hannibal Lecter, in prison and picks his brain for clues to the identity of the "Tooth Fairy," who has brutally murdered two families. Lecter is as sly as always, however, and Will must do most of the work himself. The author has created a real demon in his Tooth Fairy, and gives us the sad reasons that caused his mental state. The story moves as fast as you can turn the pages, and the violence is graphic and horrifying. At times, the story is told in the words and thoughts of the crazed villian, and this is the creepiest and best part. A few small changes made the film even more intense, but the novel is still extremely well-written and guarranteed to make you check the locks on your doors and windows!
Rating: 
Summary: Predatory serial killer
Review: Red Dragon is Harris' gritty account surrounding the actions of delusional, schizophrenic mass murderer Francis Dolarhyde. Dolarhyde is transfixed and mesmerized by a watercolor painting "The Great Red Dragon and the Woman Clothed with the Sun". He fancies himself as the Red Dragon right down to the elaborate tattoo of it on his back. Dolarhyde's specialty is the extermination of entire families. He has struck twice in both Birmingham and Atlanta. He selects his victims through examination of home movies which he is in charge of developing at a large photography lab in St. Louis. Dolarhyde, who as of yet has not been identified as the killer is being frantically pursued by top FBI agent Jack Crawford and former FBI profiler Will Graham. Graham, now retired and living in the Florida Keys was instrumental in the apprehension of serial killer Dr. Hannibal Lechter. Lechter now incarcerated in a hospital for the criminally insane is idolized by the Red Dragon, Dolarhyde. The story dripping with gripping tension revolves around the investigation to discover the identity of the deranged killer before he strikes again. Harris paints a frightening portrayal of a mind filled with abnormal psychology. We feel a bit of pathos for Dolarhyde, who was an unloved and unwanted child born with a bilateral cleft palate and speech impediment. He was tormentd by his step siblings and psychologically warped by his overbearing grandmother who raised him.
Rating:
Summary: Much better than Hannibal, not as good as Silence...
Review: I made the mistake of buying Hannibal the day it was released and boy did I regret that waste of money. I didn't even bother reviewing it, it was so bad. So it was no surprise that the movie was almost as bad. I'd loved Silence of the Lambs (book and movie), but after my experience with Hannibal (yes, I also bought the DVD the day it came out!), I shyed away from Red Dragon's reprinting. My wife picked up a copy and read in quickly, which was a good sign. I picked it up a few days later and was actually surprised at how good it was. The ending was, well, I won't give it away, but it wasn't unexpected. Following the story as it unfolded was good, but the book plateaued about two-thirds of the way through and didn't keep getting better -- but also didn't get worse. It rose up to about a 3 or 4 star level of quality (and I'm giving it four stars for the benefit of the doubt) and stayed there. Silence of the Lambs built and built and built and was clearly 5-star material, while I would not have given Hannibal (book or movie) more than 2 stars. I'm not a big fan of "psychological thrillers," but this one wasn't half bad, it kept my interest (thought not enough to read it as quickly as my wife did...), and I actually finished the book. (I am the type that loses interest if something goes "flat" or is implausible or seems overly contrived, so the fact that I finish a book means it's good.) This isn't highbrow literature by any means of the imagination, but it's a good book to kick back and get into on a nice, lazy weekend.
Rating:
Summary: mindblowing mental fear...........
Review: I read Red Dragon years ago when it first came out. It is a story that is a mental thriller, staying with you for a long time. The author has created a terrifyingly real mental picture of a man bent on death and destruction. The protrayal of this man, who believes he has the capacity to basically evolve himself by wreaking havoc on entire families is both fascinating and repelling! The graphic descriptions are beyond vivid, but the mental pictures (thoughts/visions/delusions) and minds-eye view rival them for mindblowing, dark of the night, sheer fear! This is a book that is definitely not for those predisposed to wakeful nights!!....so ended my horror/psychological book phase!
Rating:
Summary: Wonderfully Sinister
Review: This book freaked me out. It even kept me awake at night. Not only is it incredibly discriptive, you get to see what's going on from the 'Dragon's' point of view. It's been a week since I read it and I'm still thinking about it. This one stays on the brain for a while.
Rating:
Summary: Will Graham - the Manhunter
Review: Red Dragon is terrifying page turner that I first read several years ago - after first seeing the movie. I know many reading this will be confused, thinking that the movie has not yet opened. However, I am referring to the movie entitled: Manhunter, which I believe was released in the mid 1980's. This movie is excellent, and, in my opinion, is much better than Silence of the Lambs or Hannibal. Please read the book, see Manhunter, and then go see Red Dragon when it opens. Then you can decide which is best
Robert Lewe
Rating:
Summary: Red Dragon
Review: The pace and structure of the story is really addicting; it ultimately winds up putting you into a kind of displaced, hypnotic mood. Harris doesn't rely on suspense to drive the book, as much as he uses Dread and The Creeps to push the readers' buttons. Harris' fanatic attention to minute details is consistently intriguing, the characters are well defined and weirdly sympathetic, (for the exception of Will Graham, which is one of the creepier elements of the book), and the last few pages are so sad and unnerving it will make you want to get up and go wash your hands
Rating:
Summary: Red Dragon - Harris' best work
Review: Red Dragon is among the best novels of this type that I have encountered. The villain is creepy and the writing is strong and very visual. I only hope that the film adaptation is as strong as "The Silence of the Lambs", another great Harris novel.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Thomas Harris Novel
Review: I first read Silence of the Lambs, then Hannibal, and most recently, Red Dragon. Red Dragon is the best of the series. It has a truly believable, and therefore, terrifying, story line. However, it's the characters that make this novel so great. I only wish that Harris would have continued to write about this story's protagonist, Will Graham, in his subsequent novels. My hope is that some day he will write about how it really all began and tell us the story of Graham's investigation and capture of Hannibal and Cannibal.
Rating:
Summary: Suspenseful and frightening
Review: Thomas Harris' first book using the Hannibal Lecter character does not disappoint. This is a first-rate and intimate look into the madness of a serial killer. I don't think any other author can do that as well as Harris can. Don't read this for a starring role by Hannibal Lecter. Even in the movie the Silence of the Lambs, Lecter was really only in a handful of scenes. His appearances here are even more limited. He's still frightening and a genius, but those that read this book for the first story of Hannibal Lecter's madness will be disappointed. Rather, the book focuses on Francis Dollarhyde/The Tooth Fairy/The Red Dragon. At once intimidating, powerful, frightening and pathetic, Dollarhyde is an unforgettable character, and for my money, the star of the book. The story really isn't so much about the hunt for a serial killer as it is about insanity and redemption and the failure of a man. You'll find yourself more intimately drawn into Dollarhyde's world than will be comfortable. You'll discover that you're completely absorbed into the wretchedness that is Dollarhyde's world and then shiver involuntarily in disgust. Ultimately, Red Dragon is a fantastic read. If you love thrillers, you won't be disappointed.
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