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caesar2014's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Terminal illness, Body horror, Death, Murder, Kidnapping, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Gun violence
Moderate: Cursing, Fatphobia, Animal cruelty, Cannibalism, Dysphoria, and Homophobia
readnow_speaklater's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Gun violence, Blood, Death, Murder, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, Mental illness, Cannibalism, Cursing, and Terminal illness
thereadingdude's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Cursing, Gore, Mental illness, Sexual violence, Medical content, Violence, Cannibalism, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Stalking, Gun violence, Sexual assault, Kidnapping, and Blood
thursdd4y's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Cursing, Dysphoria, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Kidnapping, Blood, Cannibalism, Classism, Medical content, Murder, Physical abuse, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Confinement, Death, Grief, and Gun violence
eldritch_ace's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Confinement, Kidnapping, and Torture
Moderate: Sexism, Death, Toxic friendship, Misogyny, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Body shaming, Medical content, Mental illness, Animal cruelty, Blood, Death of parent, Grief, Sexism, Stalking, Alcohol, Cannibalism, Fatphobia, Terminal illness, and Cancer
holmstrom's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Body horror, Kidnapping, Blood, Cursing, Murder, Physical abuse, Cannibalism, Death, Gore, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Mental illness
lermaline's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
La représentation du personnage de Clarice, remise dans le contexte de son parcours professionnel et académique fin des années 80 dans un milieu compétitif et hyper-masculin, m'a semblé crédible. J'ai apprécié que le livre dépeigne d'autres personnages féminins divers (avec de l'humour, de l'intelligence, une position de pouvoir, des vies et des envies marquées et personnelles).
Pour l'aspect horreur, il y a en effet des descriptions explicites de scènes de crime, de torture et de meurtre, de victimes décédées ainsi que d'autopsie.
J'aurais préféré que ce thriller ne fasse pas partie d'une série et que la fin soit bouclée sans l'évasion de Lecter car selon moi - alerte avis personnel - le récit aurait pu rester complet et épouvantable sans le faire bouger de sa cellule.
Je ne pense pas lire les livres suivants et précédents celui-ci, même si j'ai apprécié sortir de ma zone de confort et m'immerger dans cet univers.
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Blood, Body horror, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Abandonment, Cannibalism, Stalking, Transphobia, Violence, Fatphobia, Forced institutionalization, Gore, Murder, Physical abuse, and Torture
la_karina1818's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Body horror and Blood
Moderate: Kidnapping and Cursing
hocuscrocus's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Now, about Red Dragon I said I would not necessarily recommend it despite it being a part of my favorite series. The same is true for Silence.
So much of this book does not hold up in modern times. On the least offensive note, a lot of the references have been lost to time. But THEN, hoo boy. As a trans and gay person, I have a lot to say about the Buffalo Bill storyline and how it is presented (mostly negative, but surprisingly not all). Fatphobia is also a major plot point throughout and is presented without a shred of respect for fat people, either. Now. I can extend a certain level of grace for something published 35 years ago, but that doesn't make it palatable either.
I see these books through a 20 year old filter of nostalgia that a new reader would not have.
So, read with caution, I guess.
Graphic: Fatphobia, Gore, Violence, Grief, Gun violence, Medical content, Murder, Blood, Death, Dysphoria, Misogyny, Transphobia, Injury/Injury detail, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Body horror, and Body shaming
Moderate: Kidnapping, Terminal illness, Confinement, and Excrement
thestorydoer's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Of course, protagonist: Clarice Starling. What a feminist icon. For a book written in 1988, feminist representation was not out of the norm necessarily. However, her misogynistic interactions with other characters are played out so realistically, and even functions as a few essential plot elements. Not only that but her depiction as still being a student is illustrated perfectly from her learning to how others treat her. The improvement over time is also demonstrated, which is difficult to remember when writing an entire novel.
Antagonist: Hannibal Lecter. It's no surprise but Hannibal is absolutely by far the best character in the entire book. He was in The Red Dragon (even though Will Graham was a very close contender) and he is here. He seems to be the perfect balance of charismatic and utterly terrifying, as well as well-meaning to ill-willed. His character is very self-serving, only paying kindness to those who've treated him with kindness. The misconception of the character that Hannibal is murderous to everyone also changes as Clarice learns more about him. I'd say his ending is just about perfect, and creates the perfect set up for two spin off novels which I am excited to read.
The simple synergy between the characters is perhaps some of the smartest tension I've ever read. The simple trade of Hannibal giving information and Clarice giving personal information is nothing short of genius. It plays into Hannibal so perfectly and knowing exactly how dangerous Hannibal is psychology makes the exchange so much more interesting, tense, and worrying.
Every other character is quite amazing. For e.g. Dr Chilton playing such a significant role later in the story was unexpected but also so perfect. Each character has their own perceptions of events which is a major element in this book and I've never seen it done so brilliantly.
The climactic/action sequences are AMAZING, with each one given such a distinct hook that it makes them both utterly terrifying and intense. Especially how the situation/environment is set up in the moment which gives such a clear image to each one. Once more, I can't wait to read the rest of the series.
Might stop for a bit though, I need some cooldown time.
Overall, the most finally crafted serial killer novel which I have read to date. 5/5
Graphic: Blood, Gore, and Murder