Hannibal

Rating:
Summary: Sizzling !
Review: Hang-in and get past the first 100 or so pages and you will not be disappointed. Thomas Harris delivers us Hannibal in his finest form, albeit, with a somewhat slow start. If you have a vivid imagination, you should read this book. Be warned though, it is not for the weak of stomach. Find a quiet place and read it slowly in order to digest every word.

Rating:
Summary: Disappointing
Review: Hannibal was easily the most disappointing read of the year, and this comes from a Harris fan whose been reading since Black Sunday.

All the hallmarks: the precision of the plot, the minutae of detail, the authenticity: all gone.

Instead we just rehash old characters, throw the antagonist into the lead role and on my God: the final section is just a Grand Guignol piece of puff.

I so wanted to enjoy this book, instead it just casts doubts on his previous works. I understand David Mamet is drafting the screenplay: I hope he keeps the title and chucks the rest.

Good points? Well the writing is as sharp as ever, not one word wasted, there's obviously a sharp mind behind it all. But it all seems small beer, somehow.

I hope the next novel (will there BE a next novel?) strikes out away from this whole Lecter mess and into something fresh.

Rating:
Summary: Ghastly, but intriguing...
Review: I was sucked into the story from the onset. A few readers/reviewers previous to me complained about a lack of character development and plot. I can't imagine just what they're talking about. We get an inside look into the sick machinations of a twisted mind; several twisted minds, in fact. The plot is thick and mesmerizing, and very unique. My only contention is the ending...I had a hard time "swallowing" it.

Rating:
Summary: We can only learn so much and Live
Review: I personally found Hannibal very interesting. It led you deeper into the subconcious and phyche of Hannibal Lecter. Although the ending was very confusing I found that it made me think more and you must look deeper into the hidden meaning of the book. Overall I was very very happy with the outcome of this book.

Rating:
Summary: I think Harris took the more difficult road ...
Review: ...in creating this book, by dragging us into Hannibal's inner world, his thoughts and sensibilities, rather than just creating some sort of simplistic movie plot. I think he was able to give us a glimpse of a very remarkable kind of human experience.

BTW, have you ever read anything autobiographical by Harris? I have, and I think that Lector speaks for Harris in matters of taste - cerebral, that is - well, you know what I mean.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting read...
Review: Hannibal's escape and subsequent life of culture, wealth and satisfaction bordered on the absurb. A fantasy if you will. Still, I read this book in one sitting.

The end mortified, disapponted and stymied me. No way would the Clarice character developed by Thomas Harris in Silence of the Lambs have allowed her life to take that path.

Rating:
Summary: Disappointing....
Review: As an avid reader of this type of fiction, I was incredibly disappointed with the actions of the characters in this book. Harris spends so much time delving into the past of the two lead characters, then ends the book with them acting totally out of the parameters of their past experiences. This made the story that much more fictional instead of scaring you into believing that this could really happen. The ending reads as if a deadline is fast approaching for the author.

Rating:
Summary: Listen to the tape:
Review: I just finished this book by listening to the unabridged audio tape. I can't imagine reading it myself, as the taped performance is excellent and brings out all of the characters. The descriptions are beautiful and bizarre. Unlike many of the reviewers here, the ending was one of my favorite parts of the story - it was an intertwining of Hannibal and Clarice - a juxtaposition of insanity and the world, which for these characters became intermingled. The question remains as to Clarice's true mental state, and what she will become with time. Another sequel perhaps?

Rating:
Summary: Worst of the series
Review: Hard to believe that this book has remained as popular as it has. Clearly this is a case of word of mouth not working as fast a popular culture curiousity.

This book is awful.

I can't believe that Thomas Harris took 10 years to write such a weak, uninteresting novel.

Couldn't put it down? Hardly. I couldn't keep reading it, it was so bad. I only continued because I thought that it HAD to get better. People urged me to keep reading for the second half gore.

The second half was as boring as the first, and hardly any gore that I can recall.

And don't get me started on the ending. The most pathetic and unbelievable excuse for an ending that I have ever read (or at least since "Meg," that bad shark book).

Don't even waste your time with the public library. If any Hollywood screenwriter can save this, I'd be shocked.

Worst $25 I ever spent.

Rating:
Summary: I can't believe I wasted my time!
Review: And my disposable income. I wouldn't recommend this book to my worst enemy! Pigs? Harris must be kidding...I can't foresee this being a blockbuster at the theater.