Like many people I became introduced to author Thomas Harris through the 1991 movie adaptation of his novel
The Silence of the Lambs. It's a powerhouse of a movie with a brain searingly memorable and iconic performance from Anthony Hopkins as Dr. Hannibal Lecter. I loved the movie so much that I looked up the author and found out that
Lambs was actually a sequel to a prior novel called
Red Dragon. Not entirely convinced yet to read the books I tracked down the 2002 film adaptation (there's a 1986 adaptation called
Manhunter but it's too hard to find) and sat down to watch.
Red Dragon the film was fantastic. Not as amazing as
Lambs but it would be hard to even try to be on that film's level. Instead it's better to view the movie as stand alone even if it involves Lecter albeit briefly.
Dragon is actually a prequel and follows Will Graham who barely survived his encounter and capture of Lecter being pulled in to help on the capture of another serial killer. This book like its 2002 adaptation is fantastic. If
Night Mask by William W. Johnstone is everything you shouldn't do if you want your serial killer novel taken seriously then
Red Dragon is everything you should do.
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| Dell's 2002 movie tie in paperback |
Red Dragon is the most grounded serial killer novel I have ever read. Even though the serial killer they are tracking displays some behavior that isn't necessarily realistic, the set up is so compelling and the characters so good that you are strapped in for the ride. Will Graham and how Harris details his working process are really the gears that keep everything working in the novel. You feel in your gut how Graham's ability to think like these monsters disturbs him but understand how it also compels him to catch them. Hannibal Lecter is actually just a blip in the large scheme of this novel since Graham approaches him to help with his profile. I will say that how Anthony Hopkins went on to portray the character is exactly what comes across in the book. Lecter is terrifying and in the brief time he's in the book you get the sense he's imprisoned because he's allowing it. The serial killer that is the focus has the creepy moniker of The Tooth Fairy early in the novel because of when he enters the homes of the families he murders. He's also a biter. The reveal of this character's background and formation is an uneasy combination of unnerving and pitiful. I won't go into too much detail since I think that would be a disservice to the novel but I will say that though the killer's background falls into some generic tropes, Harris manages to keep it decently fresh. I really enjoyed this and thought it was a literate, violent treat. Well those are my thoughts on
Red Dragon. I consider this novel horror although there is a camp of people who believe serial killer fiction is actually thriller but because the murders detailed elicit horror and are normally larger than life, I stand by them being in the horror genre. What are your thoughts on this? As always the comment section is open.
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