Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing
Review: This is my second book by Thomas Harris. I must say I found The Red Dragon far better and more entertaining. Hannibal is just too over the top and the ending just does not make much sense. Why would such a law abiding Sterling end up with a guy like that, short of brain washing? BTW, I just drove by Teatro Colon last night and I think I spotted them coming out.
Rating: 
Summary: review of hannibal
Review: I thought that the begginning was extremely good. It was quick and full of action but then as you got more into the book it began to slow down and in some parts it was actually a bit boring. This was during the part where we were in Italy but Hannibal had not yet been 'discovered'. Once he had been re-introduced we were back to the disgusting but beautifully written Harris we saw in Silence. An amazing book, well written from then on. Never thought I would side with a cannibul, but after looking into the 'palace of his mind' I really began to admire Hannibal. Worth reading when you have time to spare and don't give up if the beggining is boring, it will pass and then end is too good to miss!
Rating:
Summary: Not literature, not drivel
Review: .... Everyone, this is not literature. Neither is it complete drivel. I do think it is a step above many works. Unlike many of the reviewers who find the sequences with Dante, the memory palace, etc., to be too "artsy" I think it lends a bit of character and feeling to the book. We wouldn't expect Lecter to be hanging out in Las Vegas now, would we? It adds to and complements his character. There were parts that were chilling,although everything having to do with Mason Verger was too over the top to really be scary. I enjoyed seeing Barney and Ardelia again, and even Crawford. The character of Mason's sister is so grossly stereotyped it's offensive. The settings are wonderful, and the allusions to Dante and Pier della Vigna and Judas Iscariot are fabulous foreshadowing. Pazzi's character is interesting, without being stereotyped. I do find the ending of the book improbable. Ultimately, the story is about the attraction between good and evil. Evil (Lecter) is attracted to good because good (Clarice) is incorruptable. Good is attracted to evil because he is brilliant and in some ways (ie. the psychoanalysis he performs on Clarice) more honest to her than anyone ever has been before. He cuts into her soul,figuratively. I can't discuss the ending, except to say that that relationship between good and evil would fall apart. It's not believeable as written. I don't want to go into the movie comparison here, as that's not the point, but I will say the movie ending is tighter and superior. Still, there is *lots* that people who didn't read the book first didn't understand about the movie. I suggest both.
Rating:
Summary: Started Out Okay, but Fell Apart at the End
Review: I loved "The Silence of the Lambs". I thought it was intriguing. I couldn't wait to read "Hannibal". I found that "Hannibal" didn't rise to the standards set by "Silence". The book started out well, with Dr. Lecter living in Italy as the curator of the Palazzo Capponi. Lecter is going by the name "Dr. Fell" and is certainly living it up. His rich sensibilities are perfectly in place in Italy. Seven years have passed since he escaped. When Clarice Starling ran into some trouble that got her name in the papers, Lecter sends her a letter. This starts her on a search for him again. A past victim of Lecter's, the only surviving one, by the name of Mason Verger, is also hunting for Dr. Lecter for his own sordid ends. Verger, a millionaire and a child-molester, is certainly the evil one in the book. What I didn't understand was his unhealthy fascination for having wild pigs eat off Lecter's feet. It was one of those things that made me scratch my head in wonder and say "Okaaaay... sure." The main problem for me was the ending. Since I don't want to spoil the ending for anyone that hasn't read the book, I won't really go into details. I just thought that the ending was totally unbelievable. For an author that writes so well, I found this slide into implausibility ridiculous. I can honestly say I preferred the ending in the movie better. I certainly did *not* think the book was terrifying, since I was too busy wondering where an otherwise wonderful story went bad.
Rating: 
Summary: Brilliance and drama are the highliughts of this sequel!
Review: In so many cases, the sequel of a spellbinding novel does not live up to one's expectations. I pondered as to whether or not to buy this book...the first, though spectacular, was certainly gory enough!!! However, to my delight, this was a true work of artistry. The characters of Starling and Hannibal come to life as actual human beings...you see now their hearts and souls...their intelligence....their foibles..every nuance of their complicated beings. I became spellbound as the mystery of Dr. Lector unfolded and as Starling untangled a mass of diverse and astonishing facts and fictions about the cannibalistic murderer in her quest to bring him to justice after his escape. The interplay of these two opposing, conflicting people is superbly done and the subtlety with which the plot is finally unmasked is both shocking and intriguing. It leaves you asking, "Is this possible? Could this have happened in this way?" I know the answer and I strongly recommend that you read for yourself a totally different and compelling novel in which those characters whom you thought you knew, develop before your eyes until the very end when just when you think you know what is going to happen....well...does it happen or not? Find out by picking up this thoroughly fascinating sequel to an equally fascinating beginning novel.
Rating:
Summary: An Awesome Comeback
Review: Hannibal Lecter, the evil, cunning and shadowy figure of the "Silence of the Lambs" becomes one of the greatest dark-heroes ever created. By the masterpiece of Harris, we meet him again, this time with no bars between us. Perfect gentleman, troubled scientist, uncanny genius and ravening killer. All in one, and all in harmony. Under the setting sun, he plays Bach on his harpsichord while dining on his victim, savouring the exquisite taste of selected wine and human flesh. From Gothic Floransa to United States, a relentless chase issues, but it is difficult to distinct who is the hunter, and who the prey. Great work, summing up all the beauty of "The Red Dragon" and "Silence of the Lambs". Should definitely be read before the film.
Rating: 
Summary: Terribly Disapointing
Review: It almost seemed as though the book was written to go directly to the big screen. There was a lack of character development and suspense. I'm glad to know that the ending of the movie is different than the book. This is one book that I can't wait to see the movie so I don't remember the book.
Rating:
Summary: Just off the bull's eye
Review: This a great sequel to a great book. The plot is stranger then the other books but it is not over the top. i don't feel that any of the characters are unbelievible. If you are looking for a book on Clarice, this is not really that much about her. The Silence of the Lambs was about her, this book is about one of the greatest literary characters, Dr. Hannibal Lecter. The character is so well written about, Hannibal is a well developed character. Allthough you may think that Hannibal is the "bad guy" in this series it turns out with this final novel that is not the case. The only reason this I didn't give this book 5 stars is the ending. It's a good idea but a few pieces are missing. I think poeple who say it's way over the top don't understand the characters. The ending is almost there, it justs missing one critical part. I think Thomas Harris should have added a little bit more to the ending. You see for yourself. Read this book! It's great!
Rating:
Summary: Main Character Interesting -- Ending Utterly Silly
Review: In our world of best selling drivel and paper thin plot lines, I was hoping to find in this author a much deeper semblance of character development. However, while Hannibal Lecter is arguably one of the most distinct individuals in our recent times -- the other characters are barely uncovered. Sure -- Starling is back and we do delve a bit into her past... but there isn't enough there to really associate with anyone in this book. To add to this pain, the ending makes absolutely no sense. I won't give it away -- but really... please... it isn't even a shocking ending -- it just happens. Oh well -- this was my first/last Thomas Harris book.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing
Review: I'm surprised towards the generally favorable reaction "Hannibal" has received here. I enjoyed "Silence of the Lambs," but have found numerous problems with the (money-inspired) sequel. The unending violence which Harris throws at the reader quickly becomes numbing. Dr. Lecter could take America out to dinner, but leave the reader a disinterested specator. Also, his prose approaches the atrocious. For instance, on pg. 144: "The expo opened to enormous, unexpected crowds; excitement leaped like a trout in the public trousers." Shirley Jackson would be turning in her grave after writing like this. Michael
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