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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: Gore, Torture, Murder
Moderate: Cannibalism
Moderate: Torture, Violence, Murder
showed its age more than red dragon, but i found clarice starling a bit more compelling than will graham. can definitely tell harris has grown to like certain characters more, and he writes thrillers like a journalist - extreme attention to detail, almost pedantic at times. except in the matters of women’s weight - “she was a large woman - 145 pounds!! so hefty!!!” listen i get it was the eighties and everyone was on stuff but come onnnnn thomas
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Misogyny, Transphobia, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder
Moderate: Torture, Stalking
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: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Body shaming, Confinement, Death, Fatphobia, Gore, Gun violence, Homophobia, Incest, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Cannibalism, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Dysphoria, Injury/Injury detail
Graphic: Torture, Murder
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Confinement, Death, Gore, Violence, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Fatphobia, Gun violence, Mental illness, Torture, Kidnapping, Grief
Graphic: Confinement, Cursing, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Cannibalism, Murder, Dysphoria, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Graphic: Confinement, Gun violence, Torture, Kidnapping, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic friendship
Minor: Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Cancer, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Sexism, Terminal illness, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Cannibalism, Stalking, Death of parent, Alcohol