The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris
Published by St. Martin's Griffin
Publication Date October 15, 1988
Source: Borrowed
Genres: Thriller
Goodreads
As part of the search for a serial murderer nicknames "Buffalo Bill," FBI trainee Clarice Starling is given an assignment. She must visit a man confined to a high-security facility for the criminally insane and interview him.
That man, Dr. Hannibal Lecter, is a former psychiatrist with unusual tastes and an intense curiosity about the darker corners of the mind. His intimate understanding of the killer and of Clarice herself form the core of Thomas Harris' The Silence of the Lambs--an unforgettable classic of suspense fiction.
What was I thinking? I read The Silence of the Lambs in a wooded, secluded area. It was like taking a shower after watching Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho. Creepy.
Back in the day before cell phones, my family went on vacation in the same wooded area that I read Silence of the Lambs. My mom read the novel and then passed it on to my dad. However, school was starting for my brother and I, so my mom, brother and I went back early, leaving Dad alone with The Silence of the Lambs. While he had a friend joining him for the remainder of the week, he would be one night by himself. That night he slept with his fillet knife under his pillow. I think this best describes how impactful Thomas Harris’ novel is.
Even though The Silence of the Lambs has a disturbing subject and was based on mass murderer Ted Bundy as long as I could tell myself that Hannibal Lector was a work of fiction I was able to sleep at night. Even so, this cat and mouse suspense novel kept me riveted with hours passing by without my eyes escaping from the page. Irresistible.
I completely agree–it was such a riveting thriller! The movie is even better with Anthony Hopkins bumping Lecter's characterization up several notches. His role seems more important in the movie than the book for some reason.
I concur about Anthony Hopkins, I couldn't picture anyone else playing the role. I also thought that he left a bigger impact than the character does in the book.
How did I not know this was a book?
I have this one down to re-read after watching the movie this weekend 🙂
Short Story Slore– There are bazillions of movies that I didn't realize were books first until the credits began to role.
Felicia– Have a great time watching it this weekend. I've never seen the movie in full, I just catch snippets on t.v.
I loved this and the other books including Hannibal Lecter. One of the greatest (and most terrifying) characters ever created, in my opinion.
The movie kept me up for the better part of a week. Hannibal Lecter still makes me shudder. I think the book is beyond me.