Rating: 
Summary: T Harris takes a break from the norm with Lecter's swansong.
Review: *This review contains some spoilers*My first impression with this book (after only one reading) echoed many of the other responses below: I was unused to the new, rather cinematic angle which Mr Harris decided to take with this final novel in the "Lecter Trilogy". His villains were more black-and-white stereotypes, his heroes curiously impotent in their social situations, and the killings and violence which made SOTL such a thrilling ride were altered in this book beyond recognition. It wass not at all what I expected, and after one reading I felt disappointed enough to throw the book away. Thankfully, I didn't. A week later, and I decided to try the gauntlet again - this time, with an open mind. Much of my initial distaste stemmed from the fact that I'd been expecting Harris to have remained unchanged and unaffected over the eleven year (or so) gap between this and SOTL. I had been hoping for more of the brilliant and gritty realism that was ubiquitous in Silence, and I had hoped to see Lecter as untouchable, distant, and aloof as he had been in his insane ward cell. All of which, all things considering, were unreasonable. Harris immediately lets you know that many years have passed since Clarice defeated Jame Gumb, and that in the interim, many things have changed. Crawford, Starling, Senator Ruth Martin, and (later) Hannibal Lecter himself have all developed and aged. Where the FBI was once a paragon of operational efficiency in Silence, here Harris details its slide into dogma and bureaucracy after seven years' passage. Where Clarice Starling's career seemed unstoppable, Harris brings you the story of an ambition unfulfilled. Nothing stays the same, and it is neither reasonable nor realistic to assume that Harris' style or his focus will remain likewise unchanged. Granted, he is writing about characters that have been earlier portrayed in certain fashions, but ultimately the characters are his to change, and if he chooses to do so the result should be viewed in as objective a light as possible. Secondly, I believe that his entire tone was different with this novel than with Silence. Where Silence seemed to be based on adrenaline, Hannibal's focus seems to be more one of drama, both negative and positive. Starling's career is in decline, tainted by her zeal and love for her job; Crawford's prediction of forced retirement (in Silence) is fast coming true; Paul Krendler's backbiting and infighting seems set to reign supreme. Senator Ruth Martin, defeated in the last election, is unable to offer the help that, in Silence at least, would have seemed omnipotent. Yet the other, and to me, more positive, major focus of the plot is *hugely* involving: Lecter himself. Where Red Dragon and Silence simply portrayed Lecter as a brilliant and aloof evil genius, here in Hannibal, Thomas Harris takes the potentially dangerous step of humanizing him - tantalizing glimpses are seen of Lecter's past, and reasons for his present psychological state are hinted at. Understandably, those readers who would prefer Lecter to remain forever an untouchable godlike being in their minds, will take umbrage at this change. However, the majority of readers would probably have to agree that a human villain (or even antihero), with his or her own faults and weaknesses, is far more engaging than some faceless, unstoppable, Batman-esque superhuman baddie. With this novel, Hannibal Lecter's genius is not diminished in the slightest, while his character, hitherto an enigma, is slowly made more accessible with the story of his making. Whilst the argument has been voiced of Harris devaluing his villains' characters, I believe that this cannot possibly apply to Lecter himself...and Lecter himself is the only villain worth bothering about. Verger and his cronies may well make for a standard stock of criminals, and their exploits may be standard novel gruesomeness, but the main focus is on Lecter himself (as the title leaves no doubt about). Yes, I initially found Verger's story and his friends' characters somewhat extreme and dramatic, but would I have felt that had I not read Silence beforehand? I think it is important to keep Hannibal and Silence separate - they are two different books with different stories and different styles. True, Hannibal's style may not appeal to the tastes of the longtime fans of Harris, but given time and consideration as a work in its own respect (and out of the shadow of Silence of the Lambs), you might find yourself holding a grudging admiration for it. I certainly did...
Rating:
Summary: Hannibal at his cruelest
Review: I found Hannibal not as sophisticated as The Silence of the Lambs. Lectar plays a very prominent role in this book. However, I found the some parts rather gruesome and unnecessary. Lectar was portrayed as an evil man even though he seemed to have found some comfort in Starling. Nevertheless, it was an interesting read.
Rating: 
Summary: Sometimes very good, but nauseatingly pretentious.
Review: More than being the projected future of Hannibal Lecter post-SOTL, this third entry in the trilogy may say more about how the author has applied the profits from his first two novels. European travel and fine wines. I found the Italian travelogue overlong, murky, and tiresome, and was nauseated by the endless descriptions of Hannibal's impeccable, pretentious tastes in literature, language, wine, art, etc., etc. Many of the characters were well-conceived, and the ending, plot and action sequences were fine, but I agree with those who say this novel was written with a film in mind. I won't go see it.
Rating: 
Summary: Requires a little bit too much suspension of disbelief
Review: I thought Thomas Harris's third in the Lecter series was a big dissapointment. The first two books drew heavily from real life case studies on serial killers and drew you in to the point that it was hard to put them down. In this, his third, I felt hes lost it a little bit. It features the confusing return of characters that only played a minor role in the other books such as Barney, the hospital orderly which was badly thought-out. Its like its become a serial killer soap opera with all your favourites coming back to play out increasingly cliched and cringe-worthy roles. Giving Lecter a motive and making his killings seem like just deserts for his victims was a cowardly & I feel a little reactionary way to end this trilogy. What are we supposed to think, that if you abuse children then you should meet a grisly death at the hands of a serial killer? I don't regard this as my view point & I was appalled at Harris trying to present this character as some kind of hero. It broke with the whole theme that he had carefully built up throughout the other books. The ending is so far-fetched (in terms of the world that Harris has created, even) that it seems like a dream sequence. I almost expected a white rabbit clutching a pocket-watch to pop up and inform them that they were late for the party. I enjoyed the book but it most definitely didn't satisfy the way the others did and I feel that maybe Harris wants to make some more hard-cash following the major success that was Silence of the Lambs. Who can blame him - but I, for one, won't be getting the next sequal.
Rating:
Summary: disappointing
Review: After reading the glowing King review in the Times, I was expecting a harrowing and wonderful ride. Instead I was bored. Most of the characters were 2 dimensional caricatures -- cartoon villains. Lecter and Starling had a bit more depth, but the story around them was so weak that I felt sorry they were trapped in it.
Rating:
Summary: Got my money's worth despite the ending.
Review: The story line and detail kept me reading past my bedtime more than once. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book. However, I had to backtrack several times to be sure that "last meal" was not some sort of hallucination or dream sequence. I can't say that I "believed" or agreed with much of the last chapters. However it WAS a different and gutsy ending, and I'm NOT sorry I bought the book.
Rating:
Summary: A good read, but not worth the wait.
Review: Although Hannibal is an interesting book, it seems Harris made a conscious effort to put forth a book that will be next to impossible to make into a movie. Harris should have used an editor on this one as his ramblings about Lecter's shopping are just too monotonous. Starling grows from the assertive, strong female lead to a weak doll, easily manipulated by Lecter. Women should be furious that Harris has turned her into a sap! I dare someone to make this movie.
Rating: 
Summary: Harris once again delivers a breathtaking thriller.
Review: Harris, THE true master of psychological suspense, once again delivers the impossible--a breathtaking page-turner filled with descriptions so intricate that one truly sees the locations and feels each emotion the author intends to elicit. As a longtime suspense reader often bored with trite, predictable endings, I was truly blown away. Even avid Harris readers will be haunted by the finale of this impeccably researched tome. Five stars does not begin to do this work credit.
Rating:
Summary: Another Masterpiece
Review: OK, first the problems. The story is too cinematic. You see Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster enacting this; you see the eventual movies' cuts and edits, you hear the music. At times it seems a treatment for a screenplay. Also, the tempo is off. Some sections are not adequately developed while others (in Italy, for example) go on far too long. The cultural references are just plain tedious. That said, this book contains sections of masterly and memorable writing. The kind you want to highlight with yellow marker so you can easily refer to them later. Some chapters are nothing short of brilliant. And the authorial asides--and you never forget there's an author--are not intrustive, but trenchant. It is a literary thriller, more so than the earlier books, which might have been structurally sounder but less well written. The psychological war between Starling and Lecter remains as fascinating as always, and is taken in new directions, to deeper levels of obsession and malevolence. What is the attraction between these people? That's the question being probed. As well as their vulnerabilities. I'm not sure Harris pulls off his attempt to lodge a psychological explanation of Lecter. But it doesn't matter. Mason Verger, by the way, is a terrific addition: his character is repugnant and shocking but totally compelling, a malicous Elephant man. Sometimes you don't know who to root for. Unsettling to say the least. And not politically correct or predictable. Good.
Rating:
Summary: The images stayed with me for days.
Review: Either you love it or you hate it. I loved it! Harris brings you into a macabre world that can only be imagined. The writing is suggestive with out being gory and I ate up(no pun intended ) every chapter. Yes, I was also disappointed at the ending- but only for a momemt. After much thought (I told you the book stays with you), it makes sense. Sense for a sequel. For those that have read the book, can't you just see them in action?
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