by Thomas Harris
Sequel to the bestselling "Silence of the Lambs"
Reviewed by: Guy Brandon
About Guy Brandon
The sequel to Thomas Harris' hugely successful "Silence of the Lambs" is set
seven years after the escape of the serial killer, Dr Hannibal "The
Cannibal" Lecter, from police custody. The doctor is still at large,
enjoying a life of leisure away from the eyes of the law, until chance
circumstances force him to surface again. As the object of his special
interest, FBI agent Clarice Starling is assigned to track him down and put
him back behind bars. However, there are others who want the doctor, and
will stop at nothing to catch him for their own more sinister purposes. So
begins a complicated game of cat and mouse across the world, in which
Starling is used as bait by both sides.
Harris has already proved himself to be an extremely talented writer in his
previous books (Black Sunday, Red Dragon, and Silence of the Lambs), and
Hannibal is no exception. The author has carefully researched a number of
topics to provide depth and colour to his characters, and is helped by his
outstanding command of English. Throughout, Harris draws on his considerable
education and experience to provide context for their actions and
personalities. The characterisation is superb, from the dangerously
ambitious agent Paul Krendler and the world-weary Jack Crawford, to the
ruthless and twisted vigilante Mason Verger and, of course, the collected
anti-hero, Lecter. This book is the first in which the Doctor actually takes
the centre role, and as a result it sees another dimension added to him.
Hannibal builds on some of the themes begun in Silence of the Lambs and
introduces others barely hinted at.
The author brilliantly weaves together his several plot lines, skilfully
bringing them together at the end in a finale both fitting and surprising.
As is often the case, the film adaptation took too many liberties and failed
to do justice to Harris' talent. Hannibal is a compelling read, gripping
from the first page.
Click here to buy this book, or read more about it at Amazon.com: Hannibal
Copyright © by Guy Brandon, 2002
Reviewed by Guy Brandon:
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