Rating: 
Summary: For those who think we're getting more perverse¿
Review: ...consider that Harris puts the eponymous Dr. Lecter into an historic perspective [that of Renaissance Firenze] which he does quite well. He also has clearly studied philosophy and psychology, which might surprise even his fans, as his deceptively simple style seems, well, unsophisticated until you try to write that way yourself and realise it's quite hard. However, I must agree in the final analysis with the majority who find the seduction of Starling to be incomprehensible. I'd have found it easier to believe if he had killed her, or vice versa. I might have ruined the ending for the reader, had other reviewers not done likewise. In any case, the portrayal of evil not merely in history but in the US government bureaucracy [which is where I daresay most of us have seen it first-hand] is an achievement that a not-quite-believable ending does not quite erase.
Rating: 
Summary: Entertaining, but dull in comparison
Review: Standing alone, Hannibal is an entertaining read. However, when compared along side classics such as Red Dragon and The Silence of the Lambs, it leaves a little to be desired. Harris weaves an interesting, if slightly unbelievable, story, and the reader is able to easily follow along as the inner cogs of the storyline mesh seemlessly together. While Harris's storytelling ability, and astounding use of the vernacular, acts as the main strenght of this work, he limits the character development which have grown throughout the previous two novels. Ultimately, the departure from main characters' expected behavior results in a disappointing end to the trilogy. This novel will be most successful for those reading it independently of the first two works.
Rating: 
Summary: A Disappointing Read
Review: Anxiously awaiting the read, I dove back into the place where I thought I would never have the courage to return. Yet, quickly into Hannibal, I found myself turning pages without even having read them. One gets the true feeling that this is not a novel, but a Hollywood screenplay going for the big bucks of mainstream blood and guts with little or no imagination. It was painful to watch two such intricate characters become so predictible. Even I with little or no creativity, could figure out many of the plot lines in this "L"oser. Though I loved revisiting the beautiful Florence, and still found Lecter's mind to be interesting, the hypnotic, frightening edge is gone.
Rating: 
Summary: If you've read anything by Thomas Harris, don't read this.
Review: Then again, if you haven't read anything by Thomas Harris, don't read it either. The first 300 pages or so were delightful. You were allowed, nay, drawn into Hannibal Lectors mind. You saw how he thought, you were shown how he lived. Starling had little to do with the story in the beginning, it centered mostly on Hannibal, and I liked that. Then all of a sudden, it switched courses. And not in a good way. I'm a fan of Thomas Harris, and if you want something good of his to read, try Red Dragon, Black Sunday, and (of course) Silence of the Lambs. Thomas Harris started out with a pretty decent book, but it didn't end that way for some reason. This book tarnishes the characters, all of them. From Barney and Crawford, to Starling and Hannibal. Oh, and I can't believe what happened to John Bringham. I liked him.
Rating: 
Summary: Complex Plotting Handled with Deft Skill
Review: I've read a number of reviewer's comments on HANNIBAL, and I noticed a good deal of outrage at the absence of Clarice Starling (in the middle of the novel), and what becomes of her at the end. In my opinion, hard-boiled fans of SILENCE OF THE LAMBS missed the whole point of this book. It's not a reprisal of the mystifying Starling/Lecter relationship from LAMBS--that's been done. This book is exactly what the title promises--a whirlwind tour following Hannibal Lecter himself through Italy and the United States. This book offers insight into the madman himself, and I couldn't get enough of it.As I read HANNIBAL, a peculiar thing happened. I've always found myself fascinated with the gentleman/genius serial killer in a horrified sort of way. Who wouldn't be? We're shocked by serial killers, but constantly drawn to the gory details of their lives and activities. We're hungry for the gruesome. (Pun sort of intended.) But with HANNIBAL, I actually found myself cheering for the quintessential "bad guy," because this book makes you realize that there are worse monsters in the world. In HANNIBAL, they come in the form of Mason Verger, a wealthy livestock magnate whose sexual tastes run toward little children, and whom Lecter has left without a face, wheezing on a respirator; and a team of corrupt Italian "hit men" Verger has recruited to capture Lecter...with a huge bounty. From a writer's perspective, Thomas Harris handles this book with the literary precision of a master. His deft turns through various points of view--including an eerie and effective second person narrative that involves US, the readers, directly with the scene--is nothing short of genius. If you loved SILENCE OF THE LAMBS and you're looking for more of the same, you may be disappointed with HANNIBAL. The middle of the book abandons Clarice Starling and the FBI to take us to Italy, where a corrupt Italian police officer pursues Lecter like a bounty hunter. But if you begin this book without an agenda, and let Thomas Harris weave his magic inside your head, you won't be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing
Review: If you enjoyed the creeping terror and edge-of-your-seat suspense of "Red Dragon" and "Silence of the Lambs", be prepared for something very different in "Hannibal". Sure, it still has the requisite bits of gross horor, and Lecter still has his taste for human flesh- but what's missing is that sense of terror in the other two books, the notion that some monster could be waiting outside for you, and there was nothing you could do about it. The Hannibal Lecter in "Hannibal" is still a murdering sociopath, but this time aorund he seesm to have good justification for all his acts of crime. He gets a childhood. He becomes- dare I say it- a sympathetic figure. And that pretty much takes away most of the suspense. The figure of Claire Sterling isn't fleshed out at all; she's a central character, but so poorly drawn as to be almost incidental to the plot, as are a numebr of other characters who drop in for a visit. Most of the plot is telegraphed to the reader so early on that there just aren't any surpises, save one- and that one is so seemingly illogical as to appear completely unmotivated. In short, a fair piece of suspense writing, but not up to the author's previous books.
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Summary: HANNIBAL
Review: I enjoyed Silence of the Lambs tremendously and eagerly dove into Hannibal. I was very disappointed! I actually found the book offensive. Harris seemed determined to cram every variety of evil into this book. It felt as if the book was written to titillate a very perverse segment of the population. This seemed most evident in his depiction of the former child molestor turned child tormentor. I found this so distasteful that I refused to lend or donate the book and threw it away - a first for me! If you felt any connection or admiration for Starling you will be further insulted. I can not in any way recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: So sorry you were in need of money Tom
Review: What a monumental let down. After the brilliant Silence of the Lambs, and Red Dragon, you give us this? Thanks. I think I'll pass on your next one. I bought this because I figured that it would be even better than those 2. I thought wrong. If I could give it no stars I would
Rating:
Summary: Could any ending have been more absurd?
Review: Harris makes Hannibal Lechter a superman, which is really pretty silly. But he turns Clarice Starling into some absurd, undisciplined character and then creates an ending which is amongst the worst endings of the decade! I loved "Silence of the Lambs", and there were parts of this book which had the same wonderful feeling of anticipation and dread. But it was nowhere near Silence for reasonably believeable characters. And the ending...! Too stupid for words....
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful taste to the cultured palate
Review: I have always been a fan of Thomas Harris'. His books are meticulously researched, well written, and have taste. Actual taste. Many writers of horror novels indulge themselves in lengthy, excruciating, disgusting descriptions of murder in lieu of actual plot or characters. Harris' books, on the other hand, are detailed enough -- but only enough. I found Hannibal to be the best book I have read in a long time. While I read it, I found the writing lyrical, the research exacting (and yes, I started rereading the Inferno once the Florentine scenes began), and the characterization realistic. Like most others, I'm disappointed in Harris for giving the good doctor background in his insanity. But that is my sole criticism. When I finished the book, I felt no normal end-of-book emotion. I felt satisfied with the characters and glad they ended where they did. All things considered, horror novel or not, it's staying on my bookshelf for a long, long time.
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