Red Dragon (Hannibal Lecter Book 1)

“Red Dragon” is an outstanding crime/horror novel by Thomas Harris. Originally published in 1981, it’s the first in the “Hannibal Lecter” series of crime novels that Harris authored over the course of eighteen years. “Red Dragon” is a highly entertaining book that eventually spawned two major feature films: “Manhunter,” 1986; and its namesake “Red Dragon,” 2002. Two cities of the Deep South – Birmingham, Alabama and Atlanta, Georgia – are shaken to their roots by grisly murders that appear to be the work of a serial killer. In each city, in the middle of a night with a full moon, an unknown intruder breaks into the home of an affluent family and viciously tortures, mutilates, and kills each family member, paying singularly savage attention to the women. He uses mirrors as part of his killing ritual. Former FBI profiler Will Graham very reluctantly agrees to come out of medical retirement to help solve the cases, before the killer strikes again at next full moon. Previously, Graham had caught the infamous Hannibal Lecter, who had very nearly killed Graham during his arrest. Graham asks Lecter, who is confined to a state institution for the criminally insane, to help him identify clues to the serial killer’s identity. Lecter agrees, but only to further his own sadistically deranged agenda… Meanwhile, the killer, who has been nicknamed “The Tooth Fairy” by a particularly odious, scandal-mongering tabloid newspaper, continues planning his next crime. He has already identified his next victims from home movies and photos he has seen of them. But he puts his plans on hold – at least for a while – when he becomes intimately involved with Reba McClane, a blind young woman who works in the same place he does… Those who have seen either of the movies that are based upon this book will notice that Harris’s novel “Red Dragon” is much richer and more detailed than either film. Although both films retain the same basic plot structure, they do alter many characters and plot points for the sake of dramatic effect. As good as the movies are, the book upon which they are based is even better. Although perhaps not quite as good as Harris’s later “The Silence of the Lambs,” “Red Dragon” is nevertheless an excellent novel that will thrill, horrify, and entertain. Highly recommended.

But if you are looking for Hannibal the series, that's not this. This story is about the antagonist, Dollarhyde. Very well written. But if you are looking for Hannibal and cannibalism, you will be disappointed.

I am not a fan of serial killers. I deeply dislike media outlets that unthinkingly advertise their killing sprees. This novel is not like that. It is superbly written. Rather than indulging in gory details it uses an economy of words that leaves much to the reader's imagination. It shows how horrible people doing horrible things to a person who is prone to mental illness can lead to a horrific result. There is no excusing the murderer. Yet he is not a cartoon villain. The tension build and builds. I have read hundreds of novels and this would be in my top ten. I should have been working but had to finish it. Years ago I read Silence of the Lambs and remember it also being brilliant. It feels weird to say this because I like fiction that shows good prevailing over evil -- which is not this book but neither is it the opposite -- but this novel stands out from the vast majority. The deep humanity of the blind woman... I don't want to spoil the plot... is redemptive despite the extreme and appalling circumstances. The author knows how to trust the reader's intelligence and imagination and does not feel the need to spell out all the nasty details. That makes it all the more piquant. Read this.

Darker than the movie. Difficult but astounded beautiful read!!!

**SPOILERS THROUGHOUT REVIEW** I'm a big fan of the character-driven novel, and "Red Dragon" had three of the best, most well-written characters I've ever read in a crime novel: Francis Dolarhyde, Reba McClane, and Freddy Lounds. Too bad the main character--Will Graham, a disturbed semi-retired FBI agent--was too boring to keep my attention for the first half of the novel. If you're looking for a Hannibal Lecter book, this isn't it. In fact, he is only a bit character who corresponds with the real villain of the novel, Francis Dolarhyde, aka The Tooth Fairy, aka The Red Dragon. Lecter and Graham had a run-in three years prior to when the novel takes place that left Graham nearly killed and Lecter is high-security prison (think much more The Silence of the Lambs and much less NBC's "Hannibal," the latter which was apparently inspired by this novel with very little similarities). Lecter sends advice to Dolarhyde, who has killed two families through his evil alter-ego The Red Dragon. I separate this book into thirds. The first third is dry and dull, a lot of detailed descriptions of crime scenes and DNA samples and fingerprints, stuff that ceases to interest those who have read hundreds of crime novels or watched hundreds of episodes of CSI. We get to know Will Graham and his long-suffering young wife who seems way too patient for him. The second third is when things get interesting- we get a full overview of Dolarhyde's absolutely painful, miserable life and childhood and we actually start to sympathize with him, a feat that has to be done carefully in crime novels. He was abused physically, emotionally, and somewhat sexually by his grandmother and taunted endlessly by his peers due to being born with a cleft palate and a speech impediment. I couldn't put the book down during this part. We also view the demise of the wormy Freddy Lounds who, although an awful man, is a really interesting character. He's gross, rat-faced, and cruel, but he's also ambitious, cunning, and incredibly cutthroat. His death is pretty gruesome and I wish we got more of him before he had to go. And then we meet Reba McClane. Oh, Reba, how I love you. You're this funny, smart, confident woman who is thrust in this absolute horror story and you fell in love with this insane man and he loved you and we all wanted this happy ending where you fixed this man and you helped each other survive in this messed up world. But "Red Dragon" isn't that kind of book, and even though Reba made it through the flames, I still shed a tear for her. Don't read this book if you're looking for an experience like the TV show "Hannibal." The characters aren't the same and the tone is completely different. But this book will really surprise you with emotion, and some of the characters are intensely memorable

‘Red Dragon’ is a book of haunted minds. In true Thomas Harris fashion, the author takes an empathetic yet analyzing look at how trauma shapes the mores of his characters. The scariest thing about protagonist Will Graham is how well he understands the monsters he’s faced. It is a fear he wants to relegate to his past but when a new killer stumps the Behavioral Analysis Unit at the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Unit Chief Jack Crawford calls Graham out of retirement. Follow Graham down a twisting path to discover who has been killing entire families and be introduced to one of the most terrifying geniuses in modern literature- Doctor Hannibal Lecter. This book is a good read for those who enjoy multiple layers of storytelling, embellishment in the details, and a good thrill that’s smart enough to stay interesting. Due to its violent nature, this book is best for those aged 14 and up.

I feel like Red Dragon gets the short end of the stick a lot since it'll always be compared with the far superior Silence of the Lambs, which is an impossible standard to live up to. That puts it at a major disadvantage before the story even begins. This isn't helped by the decision to scream Hannibal Lecter's name on the cover and then have him be absent for 95% of the story. I would have loved to read more about his eventual capture by Will Graham in detail, rather then having quick two page summary. To focus on the positives, The Red Dragon is a very sinister and original (at least at the time) killer, and an intriguing foil for FBI Investigator WiIl Graham. There are some tense moments as Graham and his cohorts try and find the Dragon before he strikes again. I really enjoyed seeing how the Dragon evolved through the story, and was actually rooting for him at some stages when he battles against his serial killer nature to try and save a woman he's grown to care about. Sadly this is one of those books that hasn't aged well - In terms of technology, they may as well be rubbing sticks together to make fire. Will Graham's "feel what the killer feels" investigative methods may have been groundbreaking when this book first came out, but it's now been done to death in so many books that it doesn't hold my interest. Despite these flaws, if you're a Hannibal Lecter fan I'd say read this for historical purposes at least, and you'll likely enjoy it. It'll be hit and miss for someone just looking for a serial killer thriller. On a side note, I did finally sit down and watch the movie after reading this. Usually the movie version of a book can't come close to matching it, but in this case the movie outshines the printed version in everyway!. Watch it.

I had the kindle edition. So just finished this. First off, Harris is bloody amazing. This book is not about our favorite cannibal at all, he’s a plot point used sparingly, like 3-5 direct involvement points, mentioned in passing in the barest hint. There’s actually more references to Lounds then Lecter, and Lounds plays a much more direct part in the story line than Lecter does. I felt more sympathy for the killer than the reporter, and that can be summed up by several things. I hate people that pry into other’s lives, snooping through as if it’s their god given right, and Freddie is a buttstain of a paparazzi on a good day. The killer, the Red Dragon is a merciless ‘other’ that walks around in his ‘human suit’ but is easily more likable than the tabloid journalist through the scenes Harris paints. I won’t give them away, but I very much approve of the way he humanized -redacted- by giving it almost a romcom spot in the book. Yes, you read that right, romantic comedy scene. While it has gruesome scenes I would say they aren’t nearly as bad as the self flogging in DaVinci code, except maybe a scene at the end that literally could be hit or miss depending on your imagination. Based in the 70’s it’s got that pre tech charm that anyone born before the 2000’s almost regrets leaving. I almost gave it 4 stars because I was expecting more of the charismatic Lecter. It felt vaguely like false advertising, that being said I was giggling like a maniac, and would recommend this in a heartbeat besides that detail. The characters are engaging, Freddie is a damn cockroach, and the Dragon.... that poor bastard. You will feel some sympathy for the villain in the Red Dragon, but it will not make you question your morale. He’s killing people, he deserves to be caught, and the methods he employs are brutal. That being said special agent Crawford and not FBI Graham are equally compelling to read through. This book is told through third person and has multiple points of view. It’s brilliantly weaved and as abrasive and crass as the Will Graham that’s portrayed in the tv series with Hugh Dancy. 5 stars over all, but this book is not about Hannibal Lecter, it’s about the men who caught him going after someone else. Having watched the first season and a half of the show I would say they took some parts from it line by line. Make no mistake, they are both brilliant. Picturing Crawford here as Fishborne was amazing. I’ll say it now, if you like the show always read the book/source material.