The fourth of the Hannibal series written by Thomas Harris. Written as a prequel to the first three novels. However, thinking that the series progressed chronologically, I read this first.
Hannibal Lecter’s traumatic past is revealed, giving readers insight into the demons that haunt him. As a young boy living through Hitler’s Operation Barbarossa, his family is killed when a passing tank is blown up near the family shelter. Only Hannibal and his sister survive. However, when a group of starving Lithuanian deserters arrive, Hannibal has to bears witness to the deaths of a captive boy and his sister. What the men do with the bodies is only implied. The haunting memories leave Hannibal a mute, as he is found and returned to his remaining relatives, his uncle and his exotic wife, Lady Murasaki. Hannibal’s first act of murder occurs as his aunt is confronted by a butcher. As Hannibal grows older, he shares his time between being a prodigy at a French medical school, and hunting down the original group of deserters that butchered his sister. During this, Hannibal discovers he has a ‘gift’ for killing people, and to quote the blurb, ‘becomes death’s prodigy’.
Bit grim, but a fantastic book. The chilling character of Hannibal Lecter is explored thoroughly by tiptoeing through the brilliant ‘palace of memories’ that is Hannibal’s mind. The imagery is intensively graphic and Thomas Harris’ characters provide subtle dialogue that connects the readers to the action.
Thanks for reading.
Ben
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