Clarice Starling, student at the FBI academy, is asked to interview notorious killer Dr. Hannibal Lecter, currently in prison. The FBI wants to better profile serial killers and make progress on the current case.
The killer remains at large and has struck again. Time is running out for his latest victim—the daughter of a U.S. Senator. Will Clarice be able to get Lecter's cooperation, or will his sick games allow the chaos to continue?
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It's October. I like to read creepy things in October; this fit the bill. I had watched the movie (remembering little save being scared) years ago; I saw this on a "best spooky reads" list somewhere and decided to grab it from the local library. I picked it up two days ago; I barely put it down.
This book oscillates between suspense/crime drama and horror. The subject matter is gruesome to be sure, but what I found more troubling was the (faint) echoes of good in Hannibal Lecter. He is a monster in many ways—but not all. And some of his 'handlers,' though innocent of terrible crimes, are monsters in their own right. And Clarice isn't devoid of her own torments. This is a chilling portrait of darkness with 'echoes of Eden' heightening the effect. It is suspense done masterfully. It is not for everyone, and I wouldn't recommend reading material like this frequently (if you can stomach it at all). But sometimes a poignant portrait of evil makes the beauty in the world shine forth all the more.
Rating: A
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