Red Dragon (Hannibal Lecter Series #1)

Big Underachieving Dragon

Can you comprehend an ace FBI investigator tracking down a gnarled, serial-killing ogre by analyzing the blood stains left by his victims on their upholstery? Sounds great, doesn't it? Yeah, but only if it could of been expressed a little better. This is the driving plot in the first effort of Thomas Harris's Silence of the Lamb series. FBI investigator Will Graham is called back from retirement to track down an ugly, disfigured beast that is on a rampage in the south, eviscerating entire families. However, Harris seems like he is writing a screenplay for Paramount Pictures. The story payws too much attention to frivilous detail, such as describing the dandruff on the shoulder of a pharmacist that Graham purchases Bufferin from. If you can plow your way through the sludge, be prepared for a cheesy thriller. If Harris could of written this novel like a novel, he would of been declared 'brilliant.' However, now he only lies at a subpar 'sufficient.' Let it be known, you can move on to Silence of the Lambs without much guilt.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

This is one of many books ib enjoyed over the years

Slow moving incredable story an so well davelopd with an ending is so good even better then girl with the dragan tatto an you all how much loved that book

Good book

Very good book

it's a good read

I read the book it was good i also read the rest of the books they are good

Thomas Harris, Red Dragon

Red Dragon was Harris's second novel, and the first to introduce a character who has surely become one of the most memorable of fictional villains - Hannibal Lecter. Lecter is behind bars, yet still capable of influencing events on the outside, including the inspiration he unwittingly offers to a deeply disturbed killer known as the Red Dragon. Two families have been brutally slaughtered and mutilated by the Dragon. Officers are desperately searching for him, assisted by Will Graham, whose special skills and sensitivities make him an ideal hunter, yet at the same time more likely to suffer emotionally from the hunt and exposure to the killings.

This was a very intriguing read, despite the sudden shift of the story from a thrilling mystery in the first half, when the identity of the killer is still unknown, to a disturbing life story of a vicious killer in the second half, all mystery suddenly removed from the story of the Dragon and his Becoming. Except for the question of whether he can be stopped before he kills again. Odd shift, I thought. But still a very good read.

One of my all time favorites

It's a shame after two tries that Hollywood can't get a movie right. I used to be a hardcore horror fan...this is the only book that ever gave me nightmares. I highly recommend this one!

awesome book by thomas harris

this is one totally awesome book by thomas harris!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

one of my favorites in the series

I love the series of books and this is one of my favorites. Although it does not have Starling you are still drawn to the hero. This is not the type of thriller that keeps you guessing but has you in suspense from being in the mind of killers.

Great read of a chilling tale

This is the true masterpiece of an author more well-known for a different book. I read "Red Dragon" before reading "Silence of the Lambs" or seeing any of the movies. I could not put it down, and it kept me on the edge of my seat. When I saw the movies, I was disappointed by the way they failed to capture the suspense Thomas Harris creates in the book. The characters are richly developed, and Harris makes it very easy to empathize with the characters. Whether you have seen the movies or not, this is a great read. The writing is masterful, and the characters are richer and more developed than in "Silence of the Lambs." A great book for those looking for a suspenseful read.

Red Dragon

Red Dragon was Harris's second novel, and the first to introduce a character who has surely become one of the most memorable of fictional villains - Hannibal Lecter. Lecter is behind bars, yet still capable of influencing events on the outside, including the inspiration he unwittingly offers to a deeply disturbed killer known as the Red Dragon. Two families have been brutally slaughtered and mutilated by the Dragon. Officers are desperately searching for him, assisted by Will Graham, whose special skills and sensitivities make him an ideal hunter, yet at the same time more likely to suffer emotionally from the hunt and exposure to the killings.
This was a very intriguing read, despite the sudden shift of the story from a thrilling mystery in the first half, when the identity of the killer is still unknown, to a disturbing life story of a vicious killer in the second half, all mystery suddenly removed from the story of the Dragon and his Becoming. Except for the question of whether he can be stopped before he kills again. Odd shift, I thought. But still a very good read.

Truly creepy tale.

Harris delves into a terrifying story with a horrendous villain who will give you the creeps for many days after reading. The protaganist is sad but understandbly so. His life contrasted against the villain pushes the novel along and Harris knows what scares us. Really good book.

The kind of good that gives you nightmares.

I picked this up at tag sale for 50 cents, and raced home from work the next two evenings straight to read. I even went against my better judgement and read it in bed late, late into the night.

Wow!

I thought this book was wonderful. It's very fast paced and has a great shocker for an ending. I rate books pretty tough (just look at my profile only one book has a 5 star rating, other then HP which I count as one big 5 star book) 4 stars is what I usually rate but this is about a 4.3/5 - only my favorite books get 5 stars. This book comes close, once you finish it you realize how quick of a book it is...go buy it.

LOVE IT.

Great book. really unexpected ending

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Fantastic!!!

The book that started it all! Hannibal Lecter ingenius killer like none other matchs wits with ace ex-FBI agent Will Graham. The book is one of my top 5 favorite books. This book can be a little graphic and sad at times but it is a GREAT read.

Fantastic. . .

Red Dragon is an excellent book. Thomas Harris is a master of creating suspenseful stories. The characters that Harris creates fit into the story perfectly. Thomas Harris takes the reader on a psychological rollercoaster ride for the entire novel. Overall, Red Dragon is a must read novel. A+ for Thomas Harris and Red Dragon.

Excellent Summer Read!

I got hooked on the HANNIBAL Series in the summer of 2007...Read Hannibal Rising first, and just finished Red Dragon. Next is the Silence of the Lambs...I can't wait! I love love love Harris as an author! 5 stars all the way! These books REALLY scared me (especially at night!)

The Red Dragon

I really liked Red Dragon. It was very interesting in the way it handled the psychology of the killer. He clearly suffered from some sort of multiple personality disorder, but it in the beginning, it seemed that he was choosing to embody the other personality. The Red Dragon at first seems to be a being of Francis Dolarhyde¿s desires. But, as you start to learn about the life of Francis, you see that he has turned his abusive grandmother¿s memory into a personality he is melding with. He talks to his grandmother¿s picture like he is not afraid of her, but you can tell he fears the Red Dragon. The Red Dragon/Francis Dolarhyde reminds me of Gollum/Schmeegle in the Lord of the Rings, or Jackal and Hyde. Francis is both terrified and fascinated by the Dragon, so he does it¿s bidding, killing two families to appease it. Will Graham, a retired FBI consultant is called in to help catch this terrifying serial killer. Graham asks the help of the insane Hannibal Lector, who the killer idolizes. Lector turns the killer against Graham, and Graham must find the killer before he kills again, and this time, Graham and his family is the target of this crazy killer. A well-written novel. The exploration of the psychology of Francis was very life like, and the possibility that the reason Graham can catch the killers is that he thinks like one was a very interesting concept to me. I didn¿t like the profanity, but it wasn¿t extravagant or misused. The language used was interesting. At times it sounded like an omnipotent third party, and sometimes like an observer from the outside. I have never watched any of the Hannibal movies, but now I might just consider it.

im waiting to get my copy of red dragon

this book i heard is one of the best in the hannibal lecter series while silence of the lambs is the best to read it and just to see if the reviews are right about this book i gotta say i might enjoy this book just as much as the first jurassic park book but i dont know yet if i will or not but i know ill enjoy this book

I have read this book over and over

This is one of the best fiction books I have read. I usually read true crime, but Red Dragon reads like true crime.