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Liked It1 of 1 members found this review helpful “My favorite of the three books I've read with Hannibal as a character. It's the first in the series and the best as far as I'm concerned. Read them all. They are well worth the read.” see full review » see other reviews » |
Didn’t Like It2 of 2 members found this review helpful “Quite good, and notable for the debut of Hannibal Lecter, relegated to the supporting cast, but not for long.” see full review » see other reviews » |
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“Dark, disturbing, gripping. ”
sid_rw wrote this review 5 days ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“An anthropomorphic killer who believes he is slowly transforming into the Red Dragon of the Apocalypse as depicted in a William Blake painting takes advice from Hannibal Lecter who is sending coded messages from his cell in a maximum security mental institution. What follows is an F.B.I. manhunt for one of the most unique characters ever conceived for literature. The author combines horror, theology, philosophy and art to produce a truly intelligent read. This is the book that launched the Hannibal Lecter books and films.”
John W wrote this review 3 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Thomas Harris' first of the “Lecter series” of psychological suspense stories, “Red Dragon” is often thought of as the best. It is written well, with simple but effective description, as you come to realise what makes Harris' work so readable. Harris' feverish imagination is so warped but his skills so considerable that these astonishingly alien serial murderers take on a chilling plausibility.
Ryan C wrote this review Tuesday, November 3 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
The protagonist, ex-FBI forensic investigator Will Graham and the killer, Francis Dolarhyde, are diametrically opposed. One is a slave to his dark impulses while the other is able to choose to restrain himself, despite having been admitted to a mental hospital before. Graham has the ability to think like a killer, and this presents its own personal caveats, but he isn't one. Dolarhyde is impelled to slaughter innocent families at the full moon by a powerful delusional demon he calls the Red Dragon.
I personally prefer Silence of the Lambs, but Dolarhyde is a more complex character than Buffalo Bill and likewise, Will Graham is more interesting than Clarice Starling. This story is light on Hannibal Lecter, and maybe that is the reason I prefer the sequel, but he still manages to have a profound impact in the story's events, right up to the resolution.”
“I got the Red Dragon through a book club the month it was released, I think in 1981. This was before anyone had ever heard of Hannibal Lecter. I'm not easily frightened, but it scared the everlivin' bejeesus out of me. I couldn't put it down, but when I finished it I gave it away and told my friends to never give it back. I just could not look at it without being totally freaked. I'm not sure I'd react the same way today, but I'm not going to reread and find out. :)”
Mary Ellen B wrote this review Friday, October 30 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Dude, this stuff scares me to death.”
Grant G wrote this review Thursday, October 29 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Fun story about the man who brought down Hannibal Lecter, taking on the search for a dread killer called the Tooth Fairy.”
Eileen M wrote this review Tuesday, October 20 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Veery good ”
Devon W wrote this review Sunday, October 18 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Good serial killer book. Meet Lecter!
Leif wrote this review Sunday, October 11 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
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“This started it all. Readers who haven't gone back to this book, readers who overlooked it and only read Silence of the Lambs: read this one. Years after reading it and I am still distressed by certain scenes in this book.”
Kelly D wrote this review Saturday, October 10 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
