Hannibal

Rating:
Summary: What the heck happened?
Review: This book was HORRIBLE! I can't believe I wasted my time reading it - a whole day...poof! Is this the same man who wrote Red Dragon? Nothing in this book was remotely scarey or spine tingling or even edgy. The villain was just gross and unbelievable, the hero - I guess Clarice and Hannibal share that dubious title? - well, what can I say about those two? She came across as not exactly the sharpest tool in the shed. And he. Oh my. I never thought I'd say Hannibal Lecter was dull and uninteresting, but he was. Boring is my verdict. I certainly hope Mr. Harris got paid bigtime for this one, because I believe he's just lost a bunch of fans.

Rating:
Summary: Its good, i have nightmares...
Review: Somehow,Harris doesn't really make the book that gross out, but there a certian way that he writes that makes me want to continue and i get really stressed out and my mind starts wandering...

Rating:
Summary: Kind of liked it ...
Review: I love Clarice. And I love Hannibal. But I didn't want them to fall in love with one another. The idea I've always had of Clarice is that she is a strong woman - surely getting screwed by the FBI and coming face-to-face with man-eating pigs would not lead her to eloping with a cannibal?! The book was enjoyable for shock-value; I did like the many Harris witticisms; and I found the references to King Henry VIII, Dante, Judas Iscariot etc interesting. It's the kind of book that knocks your socks off at the time, but is ultimately forgettable - much like the sequels to Interview with a Vampire.

Rating:
Summary: The reader must sift the wheat from the chaff.
Review: For those who gave the rock-bottom ratings, perhaps you should re-read certain portions of the book. Certain areas are truly the most 'palatable' ever since SOTL. I won't say Harris 'outdid' himself, but he did provide the most remarkable additional insight into his beloved Dr. Lecter. We see Lecter (eventually) from a variety of perspectives and angles and each one (excluding the way-too-contrived history of Lecter's sister) provides a remarkable insight into the cultivated, articulate, purposeful, and intelligent mind of Hannibal Lecter. This particular aspect of the book takes some active searching, footnoting and contemplation, but I assure future and present readers of the book that such a venture will yield satisfaction. One sidenote: The exuberantly artful and detailed writing concerning Florence (before we see Lecter) is a necessary device which provides a worthy introduction to Lecter and enables the reader the satisfaction of adjusting to Dr. Lecter's highly cultivated passions and interests. Such a switching of diction and style a third of the way through the book represents an important investment in our main character and how he is perceived by his audience. For those who enjoyed SOTL and RD, read this book just for the pleasure of sifting out information concerning Hannibal Lecter: his tastes, his passions, his cultivation, etc. Certain parts of the book could have been re-written to provide more cohesion with the trilogy (the ending for one) but overall, Cheers to Harris!

Rating:
Summary: Torture to read, but couldn't put it down!
Review: Thomas Harris tortures reader with endless circumlocution! Other than that, I look forward to another book or possibly a "movie"?

Rating:
Summary: LOVE OR HATE?
Review: It seems that readers either loved or hated Hannibal. I , myself, thoroughly enjoyed it. I had to read it twice to catch the nuances of character and story. There were way too many unbelievable characters, but as we know, "Too many is too many but way too many is just right." Hannibal's Florence was his Florence, not the everyday Florence.

Rating:
Summary: I loved it!
Review: Some say they were disappointed, but I was thrilled! I found this book to be very erotic and psychotically romantic, which was great. The ending completely surprised me. Loved it.

Rating:
Summary: Has its moments, but...
Review: "Hannibal" kept me interested all the way through. The book is beautifully written. Harris is a fine writer who knows how to create suspense to keep the reader's attention. With characters like Verger and Krendler hot on his trail, I couldn't help but root for Lecter. I found the scenes in Italy a little slow. And what the heck was that ending all about. The last fifty pages ruined the book. Totally implausable and ridiculous. I think we (the readers) deserved a better ending. Still, I recommend this book. If your a Harris fan and have read his previous novels, you must read this book.

Rating:
Summary: Hannibal Rules!
Review: I enjoyed this book immensely and can only hope that the Lecter saga shall continue in a fourth book. Perhaps my reading was enhanced by hearing Jodie Foster's voice every time Clarice spoke with her soft southern accent and picturing Anthony Hopkins with his depth of character, style, and grace which he imparts to Lecter. In my own mind's 'palace', their characters live on and I anticipate where their saga should lead next. Well done, Mr. Harris! Please don't keep us waiting.

Rating:
Summary: OK until bad finish
Review: darkly fascinating, I read Hannibal after reading The Triumph and the Glory--golly was THAT a change of pace--talk about opposite ends of the spectrum--but found it frustrating to read, Hannibal was very uneven in quality, poorly edited, and then would be brilliant for 40-50 pages, then wallow in nonsense for awhile, then grab me for another few dozen pages, then deteriorate into gibberish. Was Monica Lewinsky stopping by now and then while Harris was trying to write this baby ? Were there distractions that interrupted the flow of his writing. Something went haywire somewhere. This book could have been so good, with maybe one more draft and some major league editing it could have been superb.