Review of Hannibal

"Hannibal" is the sequel to "Silence of the Lambs" by Mississippi native Thomas Harris. Harris, who is a former journalist and noted for avoiding public appearances, turned in the manuscript several years late. Now, however it is out to very mixed reviews.

I am going do something I normally avoid in my writing – mention myself. I am from the American South (east Texas to be exact). Clarice Starling is from the American South. Thomas Harris is from the American South. Dr. Hannibal Lecter is a cannibal. In reading the story I began to wonder about American Southern cannibal cuisine. Like people dumplings, or people giblet's, People-B-Que, red beans and rice with diced people sausage, people steak with polk salad, honey-smoked people, people chili with tamales, chicken-fried people with a side of mashed potatoes green beans and a slice of corn bread and a good beer to wash it all down...

...oh hell, now I'm hungry.

Ah...er...but I digress.

The story is how one of Dr. Lecter's previous victims, who survived but was horribly maimed by the Dr. Lecter's attention, is now hunting him for revenge. This character, Mason Verger, seizes upon an attack on Clarice Starling's professional carrier in an attempt to draw out the cannibal. What follows is largely Hannibal stalks Clarice who is hunting Hannibal while Mason has men in his employ track both of them.

Several old characters from "Silence of the Lambs" make appearances, including Jack Crawford, Paul Krendler and Barney the orderly. The ugly politics of the FBI play a strong role in the story, almost as much as any single character.

Throughout the story characters fake DNA evidence -- this in itself is an interesting statement.

Harris displays an attention to details and realism that is appealing. Occasionally he makes a prosaic comments -- like writing that politicians spent more spit talking about the presidents affair than was actually used "in the sad little sin" -- and these are normally humorous. They also suggest Harris is somewhat disdainful of readers that find stories of cannibalism, cruelty and evil too captivating.

Harris attention to details often paints vivid images, some of which reoccur in different ways in the story giving a cyclical feel. In particular pay attention for similarities between Mason Verger and his pet eel, and the general use of skulls in the story. Harris describes the terran of Texas near Waco during the winter as being the color of a lion's hide -- this is as apt a description as any in print.

There is less sexual imagery in this story than in "Silence of the Lambs."

If it is made into a movie, it will be interesting to see how the director deals with the one actual cannibalistic scene in the story. This scene surpasses the escape of Dr. Lecter in "Silence of the Lambs" in calculated brutality and manages to be doubly horrifying in making the sequence appealing.

One aspect of the book that may disappoint fans is that in giving us a very vivid look in the mind of Dr.Lecter, he stops being an individual who "just happened," to quote from "Silence of the Lambs." There are reasons for his madness, his cannibalism, his good manners and (pardon the pun) excellent taste. As such, while he does become more human and comprehensible, at the same time he stops being an elemental force for evil.

Like wise, the ending is unusual. The story almost gives the impression that Harris changed his mind about three fourths of the way through his writing. The story that unfolds over the last hundred pages has a slightly surreal feel.

While the events of the ending are up to debate and personal opinion, this shift from Harris's Russian Realism style to the slightly surreal feel is distracting.

Currently the book is only available in hardback, however in most places it is available for about 20% off the cover price. Those on tight budgets, or who are physically or morally squeamish, may want to wait until the paper back edition is released.

"Hannibal" would be a good read for any fan of the Role Playing Games, Horror or other wise. For storytellers or games masters who like having villians without and corrupt politics within, look no further for than this story, which provides an excellent template for cutting the players legs out from under them.

It also says, "Yes Virginia, it is possible to be a human, to be evil, and yet have great manners and never once launch into any sort of diatribe." It presents an individual, Dr. Lecter, who is evil but it cultured and well mannered. Most of the evil characters presented in Role Playing Games have very poor manners.

Style: 4 (Classy and well done)
Substance: 4 (Meaty)