Red Dragon

I typically only read extreme horror & this has become a quick favorite. I couldn’t put it down. For fans of the film, this is definitely worth a read.

A serial killer the authorities nicknamed the "Tooth Fairy" (for his signature bite marks he leaves on his victims' bodies) has killed two seemingly random families, one in Alabama and another in Georgia. FBI agent Jack Crawford recalls his protege Will Graham - who captured the brilliant psychopath, Hannibal Lecter - to Washington to help him decipher the case before the next family dies. Will Graham is at once mysterious, talented and stubborn, but he is also flat and uninteresting; his story started off far slower than Clarice Starling's did in the sequel, "The Silence of the Lambs." As a result, "Red Dragon" doesn't get interesting until the 20% mark when Lecter enters the fray. While the circumstances are somewhat dated, (and, dare I say, unbelievable - how could a mental patient use a phone unattended?), Hannibal Lecter does what he does best - create chaos and intrigue as we wonder where his manipulations will lead Will Graham. Interestingly, the Tooth Fairy (turned Red Dragon) is the most three-dimensional character presented in the novel, though the extended flashback served to slow things down far too long; did we need all that information about the grandmother, told to us in dramatically extended chapters that don't serve to mean much in his arc? A few lines from the Dragon's point of view would have sufficed. Alas, the twists and turns with the Red Dragon himself, and the machinations of the case - researched in depth by Mr. Harris, which gave an aura of authenticity to the fictional investigation - will keep readers on their toes to the end.The bottom line: while it lacks the pace, intensity and character development of its sequel, I found the first installment in the Hannibal Lecter series no less engrossing and suspenseful.-Raeden Zen

I am not a fan of serial killers. I deeply dislike media outlets that unthinkingly advertise their killing sprees. This novel is not like that. It is superbly written. Rather than indulging in gory details it uses an economy of words that leaves much to the reader's imagination. It shows how horrible people doing horrible things to a person who is prone to mental illness can lead to a horrific result. There is no excusing the murderer. Yet he is not a cartoon villain. The tension build and builds. I have read hundreds of novels and this would be in my top ten. I should have been working but had to finish it.Years ago I read Silence of the Lambs and remember it also being brilliant. It feels weird to say this because I like fiction that shows good prevailing over evil -- which is not this book but neither is it the opposite -- but this novel stands out from the vast majority. The deep humanity of the blind woman... I don't want to spoil the plot... is redemptive despite the extreme and appalling circumstances.The author knows how to trust the reader's intelligence and imagination and does not feel the need to spell out all the nasty details. That makes it all the more piquant. Read this.

I saw the Silence of the Lamb movie a few years ago and the Hannibal prequel series on NBC recently. Those are my frame of reference and this book, at least, is something I absolutely should have read before seeing the show. I love them both, honestly, but the book's context for some of the lines between them both would have made them even more interesting.On its own, this book is pretty great, too! I love Harris's word usage and sense of humor. He's definitely a skilled writer and I've always loved a good thriller.Obviously, Will is my favorite character. I'm kind of... weirded out by Will having a stepson called Willy, but ehh. I love how Harris developed characterization for everyone.RIP Freddy. I was hoping for more of him, honestly. I knew he didn't survive the series but I wasn't prepared for how little we got of him.

Interesting story! It definitely didn’t go in the way that I was thinking it was going to, and I kinda liked that. I do have a lot of questions though, so i’ll have to read the next one to see if they get answered.Great on vibes, could really feel the atmosphere that was trying to be portrayed.

‘Red Dragon’ is a book of haunted minds. In true Thomas Harris fashion, the author takes an empathetic yet analyzing look at how trauma shapes the mores of his characters.The scariest thing about protagonist Will Graham is how well he understands the monsters he’s faced. It is a fear he wants to relegate to his past but when a new killer stumps the Behavioral Analysis Unit at the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Unit Chief Jack Crawford calls Graham out of retirement. Follow Graham down a twisting path to discover who has been killing entire families and be introduced to one of the most terrifying geniuses in modern literature- Doctor Hannibal Lecter.This book is a good read for those who enjoy multiple layers of storytelling, embellishment in the details, and a good thrill that’s smart enough to stay interesting. Due to its violent nature, this book is best for those aged 14 and up.

llego en condiciones perfectas

Comprei a versão Kindle para ler. Meu primeiro encontro com o universo do enigmático Dr. Lecter foi através da série, a qual tinha adorado. Após ter assistido a série inteira, acabei indo atrás dos filmes, que acabei gostando ainda mais. Por fim, decidi que iria atrás dos livros, pra ver se seriam tão bom quanto eu esperava.Fiquei surpreso ao ver que era melhor do que tudo que eu tinha em mente. A escrita é extremamente inteligente, bem articulada e cativante. Você sente tudo que os personagens sentem e vai desenvolvendo suas próprias “teorias” sobre os casos, conforme novas evidências vão surgindo. Adorei o livro e recomendo.

Long a fan of (the movie) "Silence of the Lambs" and being aware of but never having watched either "Red Dragon" or Hannibal," I was attracted to the three book package when it saw it available. Up front: Absolutely no regrets about the purchase so far since 'Dragon' was beyond what I expected it to be.Thomas Harris is written a hard-to-put-down spellbinder that is taught, intense, and at times downright creepy. The cops have a tough nut - and I do mean nut - to crack in solving a pair of horrendous family murders spawned, by all things, some family movies.There are plenty of plot twists to keep the reader guessing as to where things are headed and the final outcome which is quite the double whammy.I don't know that "Silence" will hold many surprises for me (the movie will likely be playing in my head from page 1), but to follow the Hannibal Lecter progression it will be read before I tackle - with great anticipation - Book 3.Stay tuned!

I did not expect a used book that was published in the 80s to be in such a great condition!! It's a great deal to have got this collectible at 420 rs. It's almost like a new book. Came along with a great smell :)Highly satisfied with the purchase!

Excellent