Questions About The Silence of the Lambs (Hannibal Lecter, #2)

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Is it required to read Red Dragon first, or can I start with Silence of the Lambs and read Red Dragon afterwards?

Tim It isn't strictly required to understand and enjoy this, but here's my advice: If the reason you want to read Silence of the Lambs first is you plan t…moreIt isn't strictly required to understand and enjoy this, but here's my advice: If the reason you want to read Silence of the Lambs first is you plan to skip Red Dragon, don't. Silence of the Lambs does a few things better and is more refined, but Red Dragon is more raw, and all the more interesting for it. They're both roughly on par in terms of pure enjoyment, I liked Red Dragon maybe slightly more but then again there's a reason Silence of the Lambs is more famous, it's more mainstream. So I definitely recommend reading both. You sound like you plan to read both. If that's the case, read Red Dragon first. That way you'll already know a little bit about Hannibal and be accustomed to Harris's slightly unusual but enjoyable style.
So no, I'd never really recommend reading Silence of the Lambs first.(less)

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What did you find interesting about The Silence of the Lambs?

Karl -- Most of the lambs I have encountered are quite noisy and have nothing but baaaad things to discuss. I found the silent ones refreshing. aLso Lamb i…more-- Most of the lambs I have encountered are quite noisy and have nothing but baaaad things to discuss. I found the silent ones refreshing. aLso Lamb is tasty with a good Chianti and a side of fava beans when cooked properly. -- (less)

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Can this be read as a stand-alone?

James Sheaves I think so. 'The Silence of the Lambs' follows a very similar formula to 'Red Dragon' and in some respects is almost a remake that just raises the sta…moreI think so. 'The Silence of the Lambs' follows a very similar formula to 'Red Dragon' and in some respects is almost a remake that just raises the stakes a bit. Both books are about investigators who enlist Dr Lecter's help in tracking down a serial killer. The protagonists of the books are quite different from one another, specifically in what drives them to chase murderers, but neither of them appears in the other's book, so both books can be enjoyed independently.(less)

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This question contains spoilers... (view spoiler)

Sofi Bru I think that Jame Gumb had a traumatic childhood that marked him as a person and deep down he hates himself, so he seeks to change his skin, transform…moreI think that Jame Gumb had a traumatic childhood that marked him as a person and deep down he hates himself, so he seeks to change his skin, transform himself into something else, like the caterpillar that has turned into a moth or a butterfly.
In my opinion the origin of all his crimes are related to that hatred of himself.(less)

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I'm reading Red Dragon right now and i was hoping to watch the series called Hannibal while reading this book. Could I watch this series being half way through Red Dragon(and being the first of the Hannibal series for me) without having any spoilers from any of the books? And if yes, what books and why?

Paxton The series is independent from the book. It isn't until halfway through the last season that the the red dragon plot even shows up. So no spoilers unt…moreThe series is independent from the book. It isn't until halfway through the last season that the the red dragon plot even shows up. So no spoilers until that point. And even still at that, it is a bit different than the book. Especially the ending. Great book and great show though.(less)

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