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A review by whatmeworry
Red Dragon by Thomas Harris
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was a reread for me, I first read it sometime in the 80s or 90s and remembered it pretty well, which I guess is a good sign. It’s almost incredible, the plot is taut, the police work is convincing and the main villain is really creepy and memorable. He’s also much more fully formed than many fictional killers which definitely adds to the book. Hannibal Lecter is here too of course, although not in the book nearly as much as I expected.
What lets it down a little, and makes it a 4 rather than a 5 star read, is Harris’s prose. It’s often great, sparse and effective, but occasionally becomes outrageously flowery and intrusive. That takes away from the impact of the book, but not so much that I wouldn’t still heartily recommend it if you haven’t read it. There’s a reason why it’s considered a seminal work in the serial killer genre.
What lets it down a little, and makes it a 4 rather than a 5 star read, is Harris’s prose. It’s often great, sparse and effective, but occasionally becomes outrageously flowery and intrusive. That takes away from the impact of the book, but not so much that I wouldn’t still heartily recommend it if you haven’t read it. There’s a reason why it’s considered a seminal work in the serial killer genre.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Rape, and Murder