Hannibal Rising: a novel by Thomas Harris

Disappointing*** March 7,2007

Hannibal Lecter has become though books and movies one of the best-known villains of modern times. Hannibal Rising is a prequel, purporting to reveal the underpinnings of the monster who emerged in the earlier books.

The novel focuses on Hannibal's experiences as a young lad during the Second World War. He is traumatized by the brutal death of his sister Mischa and extracts vengeance from those who wreaked havoc on his family. He has a dalliance with his dead uncle's Japanese wife while he is methodically planning the revenge killings.

In terms of its short chapters and sentence structure this novel reminded me somewhat of James Patterson's recent offerings.