Nearly as good as Silence of the Lambs
This is a wonderful book. Thomas Harris writes with class and there are some sections of the novel that are just so realistic and chilling (Dolarhyde's childhood memories), that one must marvel at Harris's writing ability.
I would say that the first 80% of the novel is brilliance, and maybe the last 20% falls a little flat in comparison as the scenes have that feeling of "same old, same old" to them.
A very strong book, and nearly the same level as Silence.....
Very Entertaining
This is the book on which Harris' writing career was predicated, and I think his recognition is well-earned.
While hardly groundbreaking, this fast-paced suspense novel wraps up every chapter with a cliffhanger. The writing is leaner and more fast-paced than the later books in the series, and I think that's a good thing.
Dolarhyde, who is maybe a little cartoonish, is nonetheless entertaining to read about. He seems to develop a split personality, one of which is the bloodthirsty dragon, while the other is the socially awkward young man who finds himself falling in love.
Between Dolarhyde, the infamous Hannibal Lecter, and the emotionally vulnerable detective Will Graham, Harris has struck upon three ... Read More
Red Dragon
This was a fantastic book, better than the movie. It was in great shape for a great price.
Fantastic novel. . .
Red Dragon is an excellent book. Thomas Harris is a master of creating suspenseful stories. The characters that Harris creates fit into the story perfectly. Thomas Harris takes the reader on a psychological rollercoaster ride for the entire novel. Overall, Red Dragon is a must read novel. A+ for Thomas Harris and Red Dragon.
Not Free SF Reader
Early Hannibal the Cannibal.
Much like the later Silence of the Lambs we have a serial killer to catch of the rather strange variety, FBI political machinations, and the need for the help of the very scary, even while in prison Lecter.
Not as good as the later book, but if you like that quite a bit you should find this quite good, too.
