Books/Movies : The Hannibal Lecter Series

I can strongly say that the Hannibal Lecter series is my favourite work of fiction, surpassing Harry Potter or Salinger's Glass saga.

First was the novel Red Dragon, published in 1981. While Lecter plays a central role, Red Dragon focuses more on the characters of Will Graham and the tortured serial killer, Francis Dolarhyde. The novel shows how Dr. Lecter was captured and sent to custody, and the help he gave Will (the man who actually caught him) in finding the serial killer named as the Tooth fairy. At the same time, Dr. Lecter toys with him and secretly corresponds with "The Tooth Fairy" , who was one of Lecter's fans.

Following, was the famous Silence Of The Lambs. Clarice Starling, a young intelligent FBI trainee, has been sent to the Baltimore state hospital for the Criminally insane to interview an inmate Dr. Hannibal-the cannibal- Lecter. A Brilliant renowned psychiatrist turned infamous Psychopathic Serial killer. She must match wits with Lecter -who has the darkest of all minds- and trust him to give her clues in the search for "Buffalo Bill". a nick name for a loose,unknown, unstoppable Pyschopathic Serial killer...

The third part of the series, Hannibal, shows Dr. Lecter in Florence, after escaping custody earlier on. He has lived a peaceful life for seven years, undergoing minor changes in his appearance. But his life as curator of the famous Capponi Library is disturbed, when his only surviving victim , Mason Verger, whom he left severely mutilated, finds out of his whereabouts and seeks revenge. The ending in the book is very different from the one in the movie , and I'd hate to spoil the surprise.

The last written part in the Lecter Quadrilogy is Hannibal Rising, and it shows young Hannibal, from his childhood to his first victims. The story begins in the troubled times of WWII, when Hannibal's entire family is killed, leaving him and his younger sister Mischa alone. A group of deserters find them, and driven by desperation, choose to kill Mischa and eat her. This leaves Hannibal forever scarred and he swears to avenge Mischa, eventually doing this in most painful ways.

Throughout the series, Hannibal has been shown as a true gentleman, with a respect for art and exquisite tastes. He's incredibly intelligent, and cultivated, having been the youngest student of France's Medical School. One of his most important features is his ability to hide in his "memory palace", breaking away from the physical world, but also remembering the most minute of details.
Here are some of his most famous quotes:

Quote

"A census taker once tried to test me. I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice chianti."
"All good things to those who wait."
"Bowels in or Bowels out? Like Judas. Are you confused? Then I'll decide for you if you permit me. Ciao!"
"Think to yourself that every day is your last. The art to which you do not look forward will come as a welcomed surprise."
"I do wish we could chat longer, but I'm having an old friend for dinner.''
"Could he daily feel a stab of hunger for her and find nourishment in the very sight of her ? I think so. Would she see through the bars of his plight and ache for him ?"
"Ever seen blood in the moonlight, Will? It appears quite black, though it keeps the distinctive sheen."

I could go on for hours about this, but I'd rather hear some of your opinions as well ^_^

I LOVE this series.

I've see Silence Of The Lambs like...40 times, along with Hannibal Rising. And I'm reading Hannibal Rising the book right now.

Thomas Harris created a fucking brilliant character. I obsessed over this for a looooong time. My mom didn't want me to read the book because she hates the whole series. I was reading it one night and she said, "I'm going to bed...don't get an appetite when I'm sleeping."

:

I've only read Hannibal, because I couldn't find any of the other books here. I loved the ending so much, I've read the last 4-6 pages over and over again.

I found Hannibal Rising to be a tad dissapointing, I was expecting more from it.

Anyone know when Hannibal Rising is coming out on dvd? i wasn't able to see it in theaters, but i want too

The Hannibal Rising DVD is coming out on May the 29th.

I wouldn't say SOTL was scary, in the sense of a horror movie. It left you thinking, probably scared of what a man can do

I'm slightly obsessed with Silence of teh lambs.

I saw Silence Of The Lambs again, yesterday. And this time my mom actually liked it