Take a photo of a barcode or cover
The latent transphobia was difficult to read. But that being said — I was actually surprised with how the novel made a point to emphasise that Buffalo Bill was not a “real” trans person and that trans people are not dangerous. So… points for that, I guess? With some big minus points for paving the way for the “man in a dress killing women” trope.
Likewise, there were some real “men writing women” moments in this book. And some fatphobia. Just some classic moments of, yeah wow this book really was written 35 years ago. But I’ve honestly seen far worse in far more recent media, and I’m hesitant to use “it could be worse” as a reason to tip my hat but… well. For 1989, it really could be worse.
The dynamic between Hannibal and Clarice is great. Both characters are phenomenal in isolation and electric in tandem. Hannibal’s escape scene is perhaps one of the most exciting chapters ever written in any crime novel.
This is a 4/5 granted with acknowledgment of the flaws this book has, and awareness of its context.
[Edit: adjusted to 3.5/5]
Graphic: Body shaming, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Fatphobia, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, Sexism, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cancer, Cannibalism
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cancer, Chronic illness, Fatphobia, Torture, Forced institutionalization, Medical trauma, Gaslighting, Dysphoria
Minor: Body shaming, Drug use, Sexual assault, Stalking, Death of parent, Alcohol
Graphic: Body horror, Chronic illness, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, Violence, Blood, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death, Transphobia, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Dysphoria
Minor: Fatphobia, Homophobia, Cannibalism, Car accident
Graphic: Death, Violence, Kidnapping, Murder
Moderate: Fatphobia, Transphobia
Minor: Chronic illness, Confinement