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I want to preface this by saying this is not a terrible book. It’s not even a bad novel. It just...lacks. It lacks the characterization, depth and overall plot structure to be a good story. I have always been a fan of Harris, and his book, “Silence of the Lambs” is transcendent. However, the story seemed to run out of steam about 2/3 of the way through. I was left wanting so much more. Cari, our main character, was written fairly well. I cared for her, wanted her to triumph over the evil Hans-Peter. However, the other characters were 2-D at best. Hans himself was a weak “bad” guy, a watered down Hannibal if you will. Terry, the detective, was thin at best. I do recommend the book to Harris lovers...just with caution. This is not his best work.
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Gun violence, Violence, War
Moderate: Drug use, Rape, Sexual assault
Minor: Animal death
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I’m a huge fan of Thomas Harris, but this book just fell flat for me. I liked Cari as a character but I think the plot was boring. I felt that the character development could have been much better. As disgusting as the main villain was I didn’t find him particularly scary. Quick read though.
A pointless plot filled with two-dimensional characters and clipped sentences that felt pulled from unfinished brainstorming notes.
I was definitely hoping for more substance from this author.
I was definitely hoping for more substance from this author.
I finished it, hence the one star but this book was incredibly disappointing. There was zero character development. This was to such an extent that characters literally blended into one. The storyline itself was even problematic as was the ending. I expected a lot more from such a lauded author
A lot of reviews I read were direct comparing this to Harris' early works. A fair comparison, we expect certain things from our favourite authors. I haven't yet read any other Harris, so didn't have the same expectations as others. I kept an open mind.
This soon changed. I do not know what this book was for. I don't know why it was written. The blurb exaggerates the characters and their purpose. I just didn't get it.
Speaking of characters... Why so many? I could not keep up with who was who, what side they were on and who I should care about. The character of Cari herself was not fleshed out either. I wanted to know more and see her more, it just didn't happen.
This soon changed. I do not know what this book was for. I don't know why it was written. The blurb exaggerates the characters and their purpose. I just didn't get it.
Speaking of characters... Why so many? I could not keep up with who was who, what side they were on and who I should care about. The character of Cari herself was not fleshed out either. I wanted to know more and see her more, it just didn't happen.
tense
medium-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Murder
Minor: Drug use
What a terrible, terrible, awful book. It's so bad that I genuinely refuse to believe that Thomas Harris actually wrote this trash. This man has written the three best Psychological thrillers of all time, and then turns out this trash. No, I refuse to believe it's him. Between his last book and this gabage thirteen years past. Maybe he was broke and gave the synopsis to a deliquent nephew to repay a favour to his sister.
Even the worst kind of writers block couldn't turn a genius into a barely literate slasher fan.
This book fails on every level. The concept outlined in the book blurb is interesting, but as soon as you read page one that interest disapates like the stream from a hot turd.
I literarly threw the book in the bin once I had finished, hoping it could fulfill it's only true use - toilet paper for the homeless!
Even the worst kind of writers block couldn't turn a genius into a barely literate slasher fan.
This book fails on every level. The concept outlined in the book blurb is interesting, but as soon as you read page one that interest disapates like the stream from a hot turd.
I literarly threw the book in the bin once I had finished, hoping it could fulfill it's only true use - toilet paper for the homeless!