A serial murderer known only by a grotesquely apt nickname–Buffalo Bill–is stalking women. He has a purpose, but no one can fathom it, for the bodies are discovered in different states. Clarice Starling, a young trainee at the FBI Academy, is surprised to be summoned by Jack Crawford, chief of the Bureau’s Behavioral Science section. Her assignment: to interview Dr. Hannibal Lecter–Hannibal … the Cannibal–who is kept under close watch in the Baltimore State Hospital for the Criminally Insane.
Dr. Lecter is a former psychiatrist with a grisly history, unusual tastes, and an intense curiosity about the darker corners of the mind. His intimate understanding of the killer and of Clarice herself form the core of Thomas Harris’ The Silence of the Lambs–and ingenious, masterfully written book and an unforgettable classic of suspense fiction.
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The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris (1988)
Buffalo Bill kidnaps, starves, skins and sews his victim’s skin into suits, then dumps their remains in nearby rivers. Clarice Starling questions Dr. Hannibal Lecter as she tries to locate him.
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The Silence of the Lambs
Could not stop reading until I had finished the book. Great descriptions.
As good as the movie…maybe better.
I’ve always been afraid of the brilliant yet insane Dr. Hannibal Lector. This book gives us another chance to look deeply into the psyche of a madman, awful and terrifying, and then find out that once again, Hannibal Lector is a bigger monster than the one Clarice Starling is chasing. A page-turner of a twisted thriller that won’t let you sleep until you finished it.
This book is as frighteningly awesome as I remember it.
I can vividly the first time I read this book – over 30 years ago. It’s hard to believe that much time has passed and it’s just goes to show you that a masterpiece of a novel stands up to the test of time.
Clarice Starling is at the FBI Academy, testing to be an Agent. She wants to become part of the Behavioral Science section that deals with serial murders and murderers.
Section Chief Jack Crawford whisks her out of classes to interview a notorious serial killer – Hannibal Lecter, who is in a hospital for the criminally insane – wanting to see if Lecter will consent to talk to her. Crawford wants Lecter’s expertise, both as a psychiatrist and as a serial killer to help track down another serial killer active right then – Buffalo Bill.
At this point in time it’s difficult for me to read the book without merging it with one of the great movies – based on this book. One of the best movies EVER. It swept the Oscars in 1991 – Best Picture, Best Actress for Jodie Foster, Best Actor for Anthony Hopkins, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay. The casting for the whole movie was spot on.
So when I re-read the book, the movie played in my head at the same time. This is one of the scariest books ever and one of the scariest movies.
So, if you haven’t read this and seen the movie, you are missing out. But be prepared for mind pictures that stick around for a long time.
Thomas Harris hasn’t been one of the most prolific authors out there but what he’s written has been either great or exceptional. I notice that he has another novel coming out in May 2019. It’s another standalone book – CARI MORA – like his first book, BLACK SUNDAY, is.
A title everyone knows. I always read a book before I see the movie. This was one of the few times the movie didn’t disappoint. One of the best of all time in both versions
This was my first Thomas Harris novel and it was well written and terribly frightening. He thought of scenarios that I never dreamed of.
Great book and movie.
Kept me on the edge of my seat
Loved the book, Hannibal Lecter is creepy & smart. Hello Clarice. Couldn’t put it down.
A real thriller, scary and imaginative. I slept with the light on after reading it.
How could you not love this book, which was the genesis for the subsequent amazing movie? I didn’t read it until long after I’d seen the movie but it was still awesome.
Even though I’ve seen the movie over a dozen times, reading the book felt like a brand new experience. Vivid characters and a truly inspirational heroine kept the pages of this book turning and turning.
Read a long time ago but have never forgotten. A real thriller.
What an amazing journey this book takes you on. Having seen the movie first, I really enjoyed having the characters grow even more with each turn of the page. Definitely one to read.
If you love the movie, read the book!
The book was amazing. As good as, or even better than the movie.
It has haunted me for years. Read before the movie. Book is much more complex and clarifies more motvation
Everyone’s seen the movie, but have you read the book? Harris’s prose is as sharp as a razor and lean as hell. I read this years ago, but when a recent Bookbub email alerted me to a cheap Kindle copy, I snapped it up. Now I’m lost in this weird psycho-tango between Clarice Starling and Hannibal Lecter. Highly recommended!
I can’t even. If you haven’t already, just read it.