Reviews

The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris

mainereading's review against another edition

5.0

I grew up watching the movie and have always wanted to try reading the book, and I finally did! The movie is a really close adaptation of the book with only a few differences. I had a great time reading The Silence of the Lambs and highly suggest picking it up if you loved the movie.

jackie_fitzgetald's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

phvntom's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Transphobia, Fatphobia, Death, Cannibalism, and Gore

abs91jc's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• 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

5.0

ghostieberry's review against another edition

dark informative mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

given1soul's review

3.25

It took me 50% to get into the book and, even though unsure, I think it was worth it.

Newsflash, Hannibal is a transphobe in this one. Why would he say that Jame Gumb was not a real transsexual, “He just thinks he is”? Without that comment it’s an unfortunate tale of a murderer who found their solace in killing girls for their skin, obsessed with becoming one. “How does it feel to be so beautiful?” Jame says to the moth, dying, and my heart breaks a little.

The moths and the lambs, these little creatures, are also becoming, one from pupa to a real flying beauty, the other from a living being to a meal. 

I have read these two books in a short succession and can’t not compare them. Red Dragon was snappier, the dialogues fired faster, the progression of events went rapidly enough to not want to put it down. Silence had snooze moments, me wishing the chapter would end so I could read something meaningful. It had too much description, half of which I didn’t understand due to them being from another time and, honestly, space (America 80s can’t be farther). But it’s me who’s not a fan of description and Red Dragon appealed to me with its lack of it. 

I was a bit worried to read a book with a “strong female character” after the cringe fest in the first one but, even though I was appalled at first after so much sexism being thrown at her in huge portions, the book didn’t cross the line for me. It added to the character who persisted despite not being taken seriously. Good job there, Clarice <3 

Overall, gonna watch a film now and see what they did with it. Hannibal, even though committing wonderful atrocities as he does, his escape being one example, was not eating brains in this book, how I thought he would. So does that mean I have to read the next one too? Tough. 

vayeate's review

dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

I like this book more than the first one, I think mostly because it was structured better.
So basically all the complaints I had about the first book were not present in this one.
But because I saw the movie previously it was getting a bit in my way of reading, nothing too drastic, but still noticeable. 
Hannibal Lecter seemed a bit over powered with physical strength and knowledge.
The book does end in a satisfying way.

amb3r27's review against another edition

dark tense medium-paced

3.75

charmingcapybara's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

anna_pauline's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5