Rating: 
Summary: amazingly disappointing
Review: Wow. I can't begin to describe the excitement I felt when I got my hands on this book. Years of waiting all leading up to...one amazing letdown. It's funny, the characters are so different from the previous story (previous two in Lecter's case). It seemed like Harris was writing for the movie characters- though he missed them too. While the scenes in Italy were memorable, the closure of every scene is disappointing. And the ending- I fail to see why Harris chose to go there. What I was left with was bunch of characters without I didn't like- including Starling. Each character was more disturbed that the others. And the mere existance of Mason Verger... if Lecter did all this to him, what was it so difficult to catch him in the first place (although I do like the idea of this huge pervert thinking he's pulling one over on the good doctor) The final thing I came away from this with was the idea that Lecter had some superpowers. He's always had tremendous strength and been able to "read" minds. Not it seems like he can control animals, try to turn back time and smell the contents of a building simply by walking in. And this is the villian!!! Although wait, I guess he wasn't the villian this time around.
Rating: 
Summary: Great - but what is going on at the end?
Review: Highly enjoyable. Not as good as "Silence..." but not the disaster most people would have you believe it is. Just falls apart at the end a bit. If anyone can explain the last 30 pages I would be greatful....
Rating:
Summary: an old friend .... for dinner !
Review: While I may be in the minority it seems... I found it an excellent thought provoking read. It was not silence of the lambs.... it was a new dimension or peek at a perspective that was hidden from us before. How a man can have such wisdom ...style... grace...intelligence...and yet be so brutal is a question that is all too real yet at the same time ethereal. Hannibal is transformed given a new and higher plane of existance...no longer the superior villian ... he becomes the uninnocent victim. The dark hero is a mantel he wears well in contradiction of goodly evil. The ending was unexpected and I would have liked to see it a bit more developed... and also more time in Florence where he was truly in his element...but this is definitely a solid and entertaining read. Full of new dimensions of both the old and new characters... enjoy it !
Rating: 
Summary: never mind truffles a load of waffle
Review: Be prepared for shopping lists that read like a Danielle Steeleguide to what the rich spend their money on - isn't Hannibal tastefuleveryone? Be prepared for purple (the colour is over mentined as it is) descriptions of Florence that bear little relation to the actual city - didn't I spend my advance having a good time in Europe everyone? I don't think Anthony Hopkins would be willing to play *this* Hannibal in a million years and remember he *was* prepared to do Zorro! This book would be greatly improved by taking an arbitary number of pages from the back and ripping them out.
Rating: 
Summary: A well executed thriller with the hallmarks of a classic
Review: This book offers the possibility of actually bettering the previous Lector novel. The plot is chilling and much more intense and psycological than its forbear, and gives the impression of being written by a more experienced, and frankly better, author. However, it is somewhat let down by a rather feeble plot, and in comparison the ending cannot stand up to Silence of the Lambs.
Rating: 
Summary: He's gone overboard with descriptive horror.
Review: In his previous novels, it was just horrific enough to keep you turning the pages to see what could possibly happen next, but this book just goes over the edge. You don't have the chance to use your imagination because it's all written out for you. After waiting so long for this book, I am sorry to say that I am disappointed, and a bit sick to my stomach. Mr. Harris gives out "too much" information this time.
Rating:
Summary: I should have just re-read is other books.
Review: Hannibal was probably the most awaited book sequel that I couldn't miss. However, it was also my biggest disapointment...re-read "Silence" for the thrill and skip this one altogether....
Rating:
Summary: Could have done without Italy
Review: Very disappointed. The Red Dragon was 100% better. The parts in Italy were just much to long and detailed. Hope the movie is more moving.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing Ending!!!
Review: I thought the book was very good until the last 50 pages. If the book would have ended with a climax at the Muskrat Farm, I would have been very satisfied. As it is, i was very disappointed in the ending...very dull.
Rating:
Summary: BOOK OF THE YEAR !!!
Review: It amazes me how totally divided readers' opinions are when it comes to HANNIBAL, but people just won't stop talking about it. Me, I think it is MAGNIFIQUE !!! PS. To all you loonies who say Harris practically wrote a screenplay, you must be out of your minds. This book will be almost impossible to film, Mamet or not.
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