Reviews tagging 'Racism'

Red Dragon by Thomas Harris

8 reviews

bbk8's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Violence, and Murder

Moderate: Animal death, Child death, and Sexual content

Minor: Homophobia, Racism, and Cannibalism

phvntomstvrs's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Murder

hocuscrocus's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

This will always be one of my favorite books and I will always give it full stars whenever the opportunity arises. That being said, I'd only recommend it to others with some caveats.
First, there are some parts of this book that are truly disgusting. Read with caution and mind the content warnings.
Second, if your main exposure to this series is the NBC Hannibal adaptation, just know this is a very different style of storytelling. I've loved every bit of media related to this series from childhood (I may never understand why my dad let me watch Silence of the Lambs at 8) and I consider NBC's Hannibal to be a masterpiece. That said, the books are much more linear. Maybe a little dry at times. I personally enjoy Thomas Harris' writing style, but as always, your mileage may vary.

I could go on forever and ever about how much I love this book and the rest of the series but I'll spare the essay here. It's a great story to be enjoyed safely and with an open mind.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Fire/Fire injury, and Abandonment

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Pregnancy

Minor: Racism and Dementia

volo's review against another edition

dark sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I like this book because im obsessed with the Hannibal series. It very much feels like it was written back in 1988. Lots of racism and homophobia and very detailed childhood abuse. I dont like this Will Graham as much as I liked Edward Nortons Will Graham in the film adaptation or the NBC series but it was alright. Definitely a cult classic that probably wouldn't get the same following if published today.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Animal death, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Homophobia, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Antisemitism, Medical content, Cannibalism, Abandonment, and Alcohol

Many mentions of graphic childhood abuse. Graphic depictions of gore and torture. A fair amount of racism and homophobia.

ferns_citruscorner_8's review against another edition

tense medium-paced

2.75

An enjoying read to say the least, but if one were to dive deeper into each character’s psyche, one would surely feel exhausted. The book is definitely not like the American tv show “Hannibal” lmao, but a certain aesthetic is still there. I could feel the darkness and the more hopelessness in the book as in the series, though some times I felt as if Will Graham was a bit over-dramatic. 
In the background (throughout the story) tones of racism and homophobia are present and always looming, so be cautious and critical when faced with arrogant moments. 

I will be continuing my reading into the series. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying and Child abuse

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual content, Blood, and Murder

rendezvous's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal death, Body shaming, Bullying, Cursing, Homophobia, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Stalking, and Toxic friendship

Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Excrement, Kidnapping, and Cannibalism

hungryheidi2013's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Mental illness, Violence, Blood, and Murder

Moderate: Alcoholism

Minor: Homophobia, Racial slurs, and Racism

caidyn's review against another edition

dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This reread is brought in part by the TV show Hannibal finally getting to Dolarhyde's case in the series.

In this case, the show is way better than the book, in so many ways that I really don't feel like nitpicking even though I could spend the whole review doing just that. I'll keep myself from it, really.

The most I will say is that the writing in this book is... sub par. I'll put it nicely instead of being a bit rude. We all know how Hannibal hates rude people. The only reason this book got three stars, I really wanted to give it two, is because I love this story. Out of all of the books Harris wrote on Hannibal Lecter, this one's my favorite because I simply love Will. Other than that, the writing is something I did back in fifth grade when I had to take a creative writing class as part of the curriculum.

Plus, there is no symbolism in this book.

Hannibal has left me with high standards for Thomas Harris and he is just not capable of meeting them.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Murder

Moderate: Racism