Take a photo of a barcode or cover
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Torture, Violence, Murder
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, Cannibalism, Murder
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
After being completely blown away by Red Dragon I was greatly disappointed by this book. I don’t know if having already seen the movie affected my enjoyment since I already knew the twists, but there were lots of other aspects of the book that fell short for me as well, one unfortunately being Clarice Starling herself. While she was a great character (especially for a female protagonist written by a man) I just didn’t find her as enthralling or complex as Will Graham. This was partially because she is still a rookie whereas he was already a seasoned investigator, but it also needled me that she was ultimately fairly inconsequential in solving the crime. The information that led to the discovery of Jame Gumb’s identity was based on information provided by Hannibal Lecter and then when the addresses associated with it proved to be wrong Clarice was able to save the day not through her powers of wit or observation but simply out of sheer luck that she happened to be in the right place at the right time. While I admire her tenacity, I wish her role in saving Catherine’s life had been more based in merit and character growth than sheer coincidence.
I also found Buffalo Bill to be significantly less interesting or well fleshed out than the Red Dragon, which was quite possibly the biggest disappointment. Even though we got to see from his perspective, we were completely missing the deep dive into his past and psychology that was present throughout Red Dragon and made Francis Dolarhyde such a disturbing character. While we see many different layers to Dolarhyde from his childhood all the way to his death, details about Jame Gumb almost seemed like afterthoughts and had little to no elaboration. We’re told that he killed his grandparents but never why or how. We’re told by Lecter and the workers at the gender surgery clinic that he isn’t actually trans but are not given any other reason for his obsession with being a woman. We’re told he had the same fascination with being homosexual but have no idea how or if it relates. We know he’s obsessed with butterflies and moths but are left to merely assume it has to do with their transition from one body to another and given no reasoning rather than pure aesthetic value as to why he favors deaths head moths in particular. Moreover the abstract nature of his dual hobbies being sewing and raising exotic insects is never once brought into question or focus, nor are we ever given a motive behind him shoving pupae into his victims bodies when he dumps them (wouldn’t this just create a link for the police to trace the evidence to him?) I know that Hannibal Lecter steals the show in the story anyway but Buffalo Bill was so secondary that it felt as though he didn’t have to steal anything since the active serial killer already paled so blatantly in comparison.
Of course there were many redeeming factors to this book including the likability of Clarice Starling and Jack Crawford both separately and as a team and Hannibal Lecter’s general cunningness and quick as a whip dialogue, but ultimately the details were less crisp and the story felt drastically less high stakes considering the amount of chaos the Red Dragon was able to stir up (ie; three murders, falling in love, eating a painting and permanently scarring Will Graham’s face ) in roughly the same amount of pages it took for Buffalo Bill to kidnap a singular victim who was later rescued almost completely unscathed. The pacing was also a drag as it took approximately 90 pages for the reader to even discover Buffalo Bill’s M.O. of skinning victims and then approximately 9 pages for Clarice Starling to enter his house, realize it was him, shoot him dead and escape with Catherine.
I’m still very excited for the next installment and am greatly looking forward to seeing Clarice Starling seven years later but all in all this was a major let down compared to its predecessor, so I’m curious to rewatch the movie and dissect what made it so much more successful.
I also found Buffalo Bill to be significantly less interesting or well fleshed out than the Red Dragon, which was quite possibly the biggest disappointment. Even though we got to see from his perspective, we were completely missing the deep dive into his past and psychology that was present throughout Red Dragon and made Francis Dolarhyde such a disturbing character. While we see many different layers to Dolarhyde from his childhood all the way to his death, details about Jame Gumb almost seemed like afterthoughts and had little to no elaboration.
Of course there were many redeeming factors to this book including the likability of Clarice Starling and Jack Crawford both separately and as a team and Hannibal Lecter’s general cunningness and quick as a whip dialogue, but ultimately the details were less crisp and the story felt drastically less high stakes considering the amount of chaos the Red Dragon was able to stir up (ie;
I’m still very excited for the next installment and am greatly looking forward to seeing Clarice Starling seven years later but all in all this was a major let down compared to its predecessor, so I’m curious to rewatch the movie and dissect what made it so much more successful.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Kidnapping
Moderate: Sexual content, Murder
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Murder
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Mental illness, Transphobia, Violence, Kidnapping, Murder, Gaslighting, Dysphoria
Moderate: Confinement, Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Grief, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal death, Child abuse, Confinement, Misogyny, Sexism, Torture, Medical content, Trafficking, Cannibalism, Stalking
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Very rarely are a book and film equal in caliber. The Silence of the Lambs is one of those rarities.
I did things backwards, having seen the movie before reading the book, but at least I can say with confidence that Jodie Foster and Sir Anthony Hopkins were the perfect choices to portray FBI Agent-in-Training Clarice Starling and Dr. Hannibal Lector.
The writing, quite simply, is good. Nothing over the top, no real *gotcha* twists, just straight to the point. I think because of this, I was able to better understand the characters and connect with them. I loved that I was forced to question the reality of what I was reading - how much of what Dr. Lector was stating was the truth, and how much was a game?
This book stressed me the hell out. I want so badly to say that I couldn't put it down, but I'd read a few chapters, and have to set it aside to calm myself. Harris did a fantastic job at creating tension. I also found myself hoping I was smart enough to find clues about Buffalo Bill throughout, as per Dr. Lector, even though he had his own chapters, and we knew who he was. By the time I finished, I concluded that Dr. Lector and Buffalo Bill really aren't that different. They both wear the skins of someone else as a means of achieving their ambitions.
I hated Dr. Chilton. I wish I could pull him out of the pages just so I could punch him in the face. His ego is delicate, and his hubris is strong. I was constantly waiting with baited breath for him to meet his maker at the hands of Hannibal Lector.
For those who love a Strong Female Character, Clarice Starling is ideal. She's not perfect. She knows she's flawed, and she gets to hear about weaknesses regularly. What makes her strong is that she learns. We already know she's smart. So does everyone else. It's her continued push and her need to save Buffalo Bill's latest hostage, even if it means failing out of Quantico. This selflessness makes Clarice a force to be reckoned with.
A word of warning, the graphic content doesn't appear often, but when it does, Harris doesn't hold back. Avoid this book if you are squeamish.
I did read somewhere that this book didn't sit well with members of the LGBT community, as questions and issues surrounding gender and sexual identity is a recurring theme. I'd like to remind people that there are characters in the book who do regularly remind the FBI that Buffalo Bill's proclivities cast people who are trans in a poor light. I like to hope that the people who read this are smart enough to remember that very few people who are LGBT turn out like Buffalo Bill.
Overall, I loved this book, I'd absolutely read it again, and I really, REALLY want to rewatch the movie!
I did things backwards, having seen the movie before reading the book, but at least I can say with confidence that Jodie Foster and Sir Anthony Hopkins were the perfect choices to portray FBI Agent-in-Training Clarice Starling and Dr. Hannibal Lector.
The writing, quite simply, is good. Nothing over the top, no real *gotcha* twists, just straight to the point. I think because of this, I was able to better understand the characters and connect with them. I loved that I was forced to question the reality of what I was reading - how much of what Dr. Lector was stating was the truth, and how much was a game?
This book stressed me the hell out. I want so badly to say that I couldn't put it down, but I'd read a few chapters, and have to set it aside to calm myself. Harris did a fantastic job at creating tension. I also found myself hoping I was smart enough to find clues about Buffalo Bill throughout, as per Dr. Lector, even though he had his own chapters, and we knew who he was. By the time I finished, I concluded that Dr. Lector and Buffalo Bill really aren't that different. They both wear the skins of someone else as a means of achieving their ambitions.
I hated Dr. Chilton. I wish I could pull him out of the pages just so I could punch him in the face. His ego is delicate, and his hubris is strong. I was constantly waiting with baited breath for him to meet his maker at the hands of Hannibal Lector.
For those who love a Strong Female Character, Clarice Starling is ideal. She's not perfect. She knows she's flawed, and she gets to hear about weaknesses regularly. What makes her strong is that she learns. We already know she's smart. So does everyone else. It's her continued push and her need to save Buffalo Bill's latest hostage, even if it means failing out of Quantico. This selflessness makes Clarice a force to be reckoned with.
A word of warning, the graphic content doesn't appear often, but when it does, Harris doesn't hold back. Avoid this book if you are squeamish.
I did read somewhere that this book didn't sit well with members of the LGBT community, as questions and issues surrounding gender and sexual identity is a recurring theme. I'd like to remind people that there are characters in the book who do regularly remind the FBI that Buffalo Bill's proclivities cast people who are trans in a poor light. I like to hope that the people who read this are smart enough to remember that very few people who are LGBT turn out like Buffalo Bill.
Overall, I loved this book, I'd absolutely read it again, and I really, REALLY want to rewatch the movie!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Cannibalism, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Surprisingly progressive for it's time, this book takes morbid and dark themes and wraps them up in a compelling cat and mouse game. The characters and writing are clever, and the progression of the story flows in a way that sucks you and and makes you want to keep reading just to know what happens next. Chapters vary greatly in length, adding punchy beats and never giving away more than necessarily until the next POV comes around. At first I was dissatisfied with the seemingly quick ending, but after sitting with it I'm entirely pleased. The point was not the ending, but the content and development made long before.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body shaming, Cursing, Gun violence, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Terminal illness
Minor: Animal cruelty, Body horror, Hate crime, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Gaslighting
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I enjoyed this book more than the first one. The characters feel more fleshed out.
I liked Clarice's inner monologue and though it was written by a man in the 80's, I didn't find it to be problematic or misogynistic.
It was nice to see more of Hannibal in this one, too.
I liked Clarice's inner monologue and though it was written by a man in the 80's, I didn't find it to be problematic or misogynistic.
It was nice to see more of Hannibal in this one, too.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement
Moderate: Death, Gore, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder
Minor: Body shaming, Fatphobia
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Fantastically written, well paced, short chapters make for an easier read. Language wasn't very complicated and it was easy to follow along. Some extreme violence (cannibalism, Sexual violence, mutilation, transphobia) but the author handles these topics very carefully and does not overuse them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Cursing, Death, Gore, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Torture, Blood, Kidnapping, Cannibalism, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gun violence, Grief
Minor: Transphobia, Death of parent
challenging
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
This is one of the few books I've read where I like the book and the movie equally. It actually makes me appreciate the movie even more because of how faithful an adaptation it is. This book is incredibly well-written, fascinating, and completely disgusting all at once. The way Harris was able to write a female character like Starling so well is amazing. I love the relationship between Starling and Hannibal, and how Hannibal is completely in control of the narrative the whole time. This is truly a horror masterpiece that everyone, horror fanatic or not, should read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Cursing, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Cannibalism, Murder
Moderate: Fatphobia, Incest, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Sexism, Sexual assault, Transphobia, Excrement