Reviews

Hannibal Rising by Thomas Harris

ehmargetts's review against another edition

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slow-paced

4.0

bethanyangharads's review against another edition

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4.0

In all honesty, this novel is what I thought the majority of the series was going to be like - from Hannibal's perspective. And in all honesty... I kinda wish this was set as book 1 or a prequel as all the events happen before book 1 in the series, essentially this is Hannibal's background story which explains so much about what he does and why. I feel like if I had read this first I would've had a way better understanding of Hannibal as a character and I would've found them that bit more interesting.

Anyway though, this book had me hooked from the beginning. I really enjoyed how it made you almost sympathise for Hannibal as he went through hell as a child (won't spoil what happens but triggers for WWII violence and anti-semitism). In no way does it excuse his actions and murders, but it does make him more human in a way? Look, it made me conflicted and in a weird way I liked that Harris was able to make me feel that way from a fictional character.

triggers: cannibalism, general violence, murder, hate crimes

inquesoitrust's review against another edition

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dark tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

hanskasoeflee's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No

4.5

threeprongfork's review against another edition

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5.0

I may be biased, as I have seen in the past the Hannibal Rising movie, but I loved this book.  What fascinates me so much about Han

theamazinraven's review against another edition

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2.0

Is this the weird one w the weird ending? Girrrrl. The ghetto.

the_booknerd182's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

zgonzale's review against another edition

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2.0

In spite of beautiful language and fun touches of Japanese and French influence, Hannibal Rising is the weakest showing by far in the Hannibal Lecter Saga. Though it is interesting for me as a fan of the character to read Hannibal's origin story, the plot was unnecessarily complicated; the secondary characters and villains (other than Lady Murasaki) weren't fleshed out or interesting; and due to Hannibal's seeming omniscience, the stakes remain incredibly low. All in all, it was an unimpressive 100 pages of story in a 300 page novel that comes off as a low-brow artsy crime book.

kayay's review against another edition

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dark medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Loveable characters? No

3.75

demongays's review against another edition

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2.5

book is boring as fuck.