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mysimas's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This book tries really hard to humanize its serial killer. And it works.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Murder
Moderate: Rape, Sexism, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, Stalking, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Animal death
criminolly's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was a reread for me, I first read it sometime in the 80s or 90s and remembered it pretty well, which I guess is a good sign. It’s almost incredible, the plot is taut, the police work is convincing and the main villain is really creepy and memorable. He’s also much more fully formed than many fictional killers which definitely adds to the book. Hannibal Lecter is here too of course, although not in the book nearly as much as I expected.
What lets it down a little, and makes it a 4 rather than a 5 star read, is Harris’s prose. It’s often great, sparse and effective, but occasionally becomes outrageously flowery and intrusive. That takes away from the impact of the book, but not so much that I wouldn’t still heartily recommend it if you haven’t read it. There’s a reason why it’s considered a seminal work in the serial killer genre.
What lets it down a little, and makes it a 4 rather than a 5 star read, is Harris’s prose. It’s often great, sparse and effective, but occasionally becomes outrageously flowery and intrusive. That takes away from the impact of the book, but not so much that I wouldn’t still heartily recommend it if you haven’t read it. There’s a reason why it’s considered a seminal work in the serial killer genre.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Rape, and Murder
foreverinastory's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
This was boring. I expected Dr Lecter to be more involved in this than he was. I've heard he is more in the later books, but I don't really have any interest in reading more of these? I normally like murder mysteries so I don't exactly know why this one bored me so much. Maybe it was Will and how cishetero he is. Plus this book is old so the misogyny and gender roles prevail. Blegh.
Would recommend to murder mystery fans who don't have a problem with cannibalism and rape-murder. Idk this was just not for me.
Would recommend to murder mystery fans who don't have a problem with cannibalism and rape-murder. Idk this was just not for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Gore, Rape, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, and Cannibalism
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child death, Sexism, Toxic relationship, and Xenophobia
tenten's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Gun violence, Rape, Sexual violence, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Animal cruelty and Animal death