X, I just finished reading Hannibal Rising. I thought it was much better written than Hannibal, but too filled with easy reasons as to WHY he became Hannibal the Cannibal.
That was my main complaint with the story. You watch a film like Silence of the Lambs or Red Dragon...and you're chilled to the core at the mere sight of Hannibal (played brilliantly by Sir Anthony Hopkins.)
In Hannibal Rising...I don't get that feeling. I didn't feel as though he was becoming a monster by what he was doing. He was seeking revenge, and I actually found myself rooting him on when he tracked down these men. They deserved to die, and they died in very deservingly sadistic ways.
It was a very fascinating read, but I feel Thomas Harris did too much to try and humanize Lecter.
"Growing up my dad was like 'You have a great last name, Galifianakis. Galifianakis...begins with a gal...and ends with a kiss...' I'm like that's great dad, can we get it changed to 'Galifianafuck' please?" -- Zach Galifianakis
