An excellent addition the the Hannibal Lecter series! For fans of the movie, it is VERY similar with a few, minor casting changes. Admittedly, we get only a little more on Hannibal, himself, but it somehow doesn't seem as big of a deal in this one as it was in Red Dragon.

I do have one pet peeve, however, and that is the relationships Clarice has with Lecter and Crawford. While the movie made no allusions of any sort of sexual tension between Clarice and Crawford, it was very evident through out the book, and, admittedly, felt forced. Most importantly, it didn't feel true to character for Crawford, especially with how he was clearly still deeply in love with his dying wife. Clarice also seems to be so in awe of Crawford for a vast majority of the plot. A father-daughter relationship seems far more appropriate and, dare I say IN CHARACTER for both of them, especially considering Starling's background. There were times when it seemed like the author would revert back to this sort of relationship, but it was short lived.

As for Clarice's relationship with Lecter, while I understand that "playing" with someone, as a cat would a mouse, is far easier to show on screen than it is to write, there didn't seem to be much attempt to write it into the pages of this novel. Yes, it is easier to see that someone is toying with a person by the tilt of their head during conversation, a glint in their eye, a dramatic pause, but it didn't feel as though there was a real attempt made to convey this image on paper other than the tit-for-tat line of questioning during each visit. Finally, and this bothered me about the movie as well, the end of the story had the tabloids making the relationship between Clarice and Lecter out to be some sort of morbid, physical attraction and there was really nothing in the story-line to imply this. It just bothered me. I'm sure it was supposed to be intentional, showing how news outlets like these tend to blow things out of proportion and twist the truth, but, again, it seemed unfounded.

One thing that I though was a great little bit that I don't remember getting in the movie was what happened with Lecter after his escape, during his transfer to the "country club" jail . It was really interesting to hear a little more from his side of things and get a slight idea of his inner workings, if only a glimpse.

Overall, I'd definitely recommend this to anyone, even if they've never seen the movie, or read any of the other Lecter novels. ( )

Even better than the movie! I loved the movie--LOVED the book! It went so quickly. I felt there was a little more depth to it--more character development--than the movie, which is understandable. I really enjoyed it. Not sure if I'll be able to stomach Red Dragon or Hannibal, though.... I always felt, based on the movies, that this one was far more psychological, and the other two really focused on the gore-factor..... ( )

I read this mainly because I miss the TV show 'Hannibal', the third series of which I await with impatience, but also because it is a classic of horror fiction. Now I know why - the narrative is incredibly tense and compelling. The writing has a measured, flat quality that belies the terrifying events unfolding. What really lifts this book above [b:Red Dragon|28877|Red Dragon (Hannibal Lecter, #1)|Thomas Harris|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1390284698s/28877.jpg|925503], in my view, is Clarice Starling as the main point of view character. She is a fascinating, complex creation. Although I knew from general exposure to popular culture that she would survive the book, I was still very worried for her at certain points. Especially given Hannibal Lecter’s fondness for maiming people. Frankly, I defy anyone to interrupt their reading of the last two hundred pages of this book for anything other than an emergency. Although the style of TV’s 'Hannibal' is inevitably somewhat different to the original novels, both have the same intense effect on the nerves. ( )

I've read this book more times than I can count and it still manages to give me nightmares. ( )

Clarice Starling, an FBI trainee, is sent to interview Dr. Hannibal Lecter - Hannibal the Cannibal. There are indications that Dr. Lecter's unique position - he's a brilliant psychiatrist who's also a serial killer - might give him helpful insight into the murders committed by the serial killer nicknamed Buffalo Bill.

This is one of many books I should have reviewed sooner after I finished it, but I've been in a reviewing slump for a while and it didn't happen.

I haven't seen the movie adaptation, and this was my first time reading this book. At some point, possibly due to Hannibal Lecter's enduring popularity, I came to the conclusion that Hannibal was a prominent character in the story. Imagine my surprise when he only made an occasional appearance. That said, he was such a vivid character that I understand his popularity. For much of the book, I only knew how dangerous Hannibal was due to his reputation and what everyone kept telling Starling (I need to see about reading Red Dragon) - his interactions with Starling still managed to be riveting. I was pretty much glued to the book when it started to look like he'd get a chance to spring into action (the stupidity of certain characters was mind-boggling).

Overall, this caught and kept my attention, even though certain aspects (the language, technology, etc.) were dated enough that trying to process some of it took more effort than I expected. The details of the investigation were intriguing, and everything moved at a nice pace.

(Original review posted on A Library Girl's Familiar Diversions.) ( )