Hannibal Rising (Thomas Harris)

Title: Hannibal Rising

Series: Hannibal

Author: Thomas Harris

Released: 2006

Rating: 3.5/5

Basic Plot: Hannibal Lecter goes through a terrible experience as a young boy and then seeks revenge on the men responsible.
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Why The Book Was Written
I always read up a little on whatever I am reviewing. This helps me find interesting things to talk about as well as making sure I don't make many mistakes. While I was reading this book someone, on Facebook, stated that this book was written merely to have a movie made from it. From Wikipedia (and one or two other sources that I could find), it seems that Harris might've been afraid of someone else writing about Hannibal Lecter. To make a prequel before someone else could, he wrote the novel version and the screenplay around the same time. I don't see that as a reason to hate the book, but a reason to pity the author who was afraid of losing his hold on a series he created.

Revenge Makes Us Less Human
For lack of a real slow and subtle arc that leads us to the Hannibal we know and love from Red Dragon, we must become content with this revenge storyline. I didn't mind this storyline, but there wasn't a real clear descent into the monster that Hannibal became. As he got his revenge on more of the men that harmed him and his sister, it seemed he took more and more pleasure from killing them. Even remarking on the death of one that he liked killing the man, but hated allowing him even a second longer to live. And by the end he kills a guy because he had nothing better to do, basically. But there was no clear descent. He just started off innocent and then it seems he's a monster all of a sudden.

A Cannibal to His Core
Hannibal "the Cannibal" Lecter is shown to be a cannibal at a very early age. Some of his killings in this book are shown to involve him eating his victims. One theme of his cannibalism, at least in this book, is his eating the cheeks of his victims. This happens the first time after a cook talks about eating fish and that cheeks are special. Of course Hannibal's earliest human meal is a big trigger for him.

Final Thoughts
I had heard, before reading this book, that Hannibal Rising is not liked by the majority of the Hannibal fandom. I enjoy this book and I feel I fell into my usual liking of things that a lot of the fandom doesn't like. However, one complaint I do have of this book is that Hannibal becoming a monster should've been shown better. Hell, him being born as a monster would be great too. I am of the opinion that labeling Hannibal as a villain is simplifying him. He isn't good, but he does good at times. And, even when he does bad, sometimes he is trying to make a person fulfill their potential. So hearing "monster" and "villain" describing the infamous doctor annoys me as it defines him in simple terms. So a descent into what he is in Red Dragon is preferable to me. The book, overall, wasn't the worst I have ever read.

Disney Vlog: May-June 2013 (Part 7)

revrezner and I finish our trip to Disney with a few friends.

Disney Vlog: May-June 2013 (Parts 4-6)

revrezner and I continue or journey at Disney.

Disney Vlog: May-June 2013 (Parts 1-3)

revrezner and I return to Disney.


Disney Vlog: May-June 2013 (Part 1) by jashykins

Hannibal (Season 1)

Show: Hannibal

Season: 1

Episodes: 13

Created By: Bryan Fuller

Released: 2013

Rating: 6/5

Basic Plot: Explores the early relationship between the renowned psychiatrist and his patient, a young FBI criminal profiler, who is haunted by his ability to empathize with serial killers.
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Horror At Its Finest
One of the reasons I adore this show is that this is true horror. Horror is not shock gore where the whole 'horror' is that you see something very gory is on screen. Nor is it jump scares. Horror, true horror, is dependent on atmosphere and good characters. There needs to be a disturbing setting (haunted house, murder crime scenes, ect.) and you need to care for the characters. If you don't care for the characters you won't be scared by what happens to them. You'll be indifferent to their plights. Hannibal, luckily enough, has a great atmosphere in each and every episode. There is also a great character to root for in Will Graham (played by Hugh Dancy) and a great villain, for lack of a better term, in Hannibal Lecter (played by Mads Mikkelsen). There are gory scenes and cannibalism, but they are supported by the atmosphere and characters.

Mads Mikkelsen's Hannibal
I know some of my readers may be big fans of The Silence of the Lambs (also the other movies and books in the series) and so are unsure if Mads disgraces Anthony Hopkin's performance as the famous doctor or if Mads does an outstanding job. I am glad to announce it is the latter. Mads is playing Hannibal before the character is imprisoned. This means that Hannibal's aura is distinctly different on principal alone. Mads still gives Hannibal an ease with manipulation and only looking at a desired effect rather than how the plan will effect people. That part is heightened as now Hannibal is working in his element and controls things to a surprising degree. While Will Graham is the main character, Hannibal Lecter is the master that controls the strings of everything that happens in this series.

The Alternate Universe Aspects
This show is a little bit prequel to Red Dragon and a little bit Alternate Universe to the Hannibal series that came before. Some things that were changed were some characters' genders. Freddy Lounds becomes Freddie Lounds who blogs about crimes and has the best hair ever. I hate Freddie, but her hair is one of the most beautiful things on screen. Alan Bloom becomes Alana Bloom who is one of the smartest characters and a love interest for Will Graham. Finally, Jack Crawford is now black and, by the end of the Finale, I now hate him more than Freddie, but I began with liking his character. Hopefully in Season 2 I will like Jack again.

Final Thoughts
I have not seen a show as good as this since Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. I have become fully obsessed with this show. Hannibal makes me cry and the Fannibals (fans of Hannibal) make me laugh. I am even writing a a Hannibal fanfic that is much different than what I have written in the past. When a show can make me write something out of my comfort zone it says something. I would only say to stay away if you are easily disturbed by graphic images as this show pushes the boundaries of what can happen on television.

Inbetween: The Darkening 3

I paused while eating the dinner Hannibal had prepared for Abigail and myself.

I didn't like going to normal functions, such as dinner, but with Hannibal it was different. Plus Abigail Hobbs was with us. It almost felt like we were a family. Hannibal and myself being the fathers and Abigail being the daughter. I had a feeling that she preferred Hannibal over me and who wouldn't? He was sure of himself and I was a mess. I felt bad that she didn't adore me, though, as I felt so connected to her.

I continued on with eating the meal that Hannibal had prepared for us.

"Jack doesn't have me doing anything this weekend." I said. "He doesn't have me doing a lot lately."

"He's trying to help with the grieving process, Will." Hannibal said, trying to comfort me.

"I am not grieving and letting me do my job will help me better than any therapy session."

"I don't think Jack understands you." Abigail said. "I don't think Jack trusts you."

"I don't blame him." I said with a pained grin on my face.

"You're being too hard on yourself." Hannibal replied.

I shook my head. "No, I'm not. If anything, I'm being too kind. I just lost Alana and I was already fading before then. If anything, Jack is the sane one."

Abigail put a hand on my shoulder and I felt a calmness come over me. Abigail was like the daughter I didn't have and was always able to calm me down. I'd always be worried about her, every time I thought of her, but she was able to do what adults couldn't. Adults are all tainted and those of the younger generation aren't. The younger generation could be scarred, and who wouldn't in the Hobbs family, but they were always more innocent.

Almost the same reason I preferred my dogs to people.

Abigail removed her hand and I turned to Hannibal.

"If you have anything planned for this weekend I'll be able to go." I finally said.

"How about fishing?" Hannibal asked. After he said that Abigail and him seemed to share an inside joke.

"I do have a new fishing lure I'd like to try out." I replied. "Do you have any places you'd recommend?"

"My father took me to some good spots." Abigail said and I swear a hint of a smile came onto her face.

"Would you want to go to any of them?"

"No." She said curtly with a touch of disappointment in herself. "I won't be able to stop thinking of him. How he killed those girls and...fed them to me."

"You did nothing wrong. He killed them, not you."

"Is there something wrong with killing?"

"Yes, everything. We have to do it sometimes, but it's never admirable."

"What about you killing Gideon to protect Alana?" Hannibal asked and waited calmly for my answer.

"I don't even know if I protected or killed her." I replied and didn't say what I wanted to say. That I'd kill Gideon for eternity if it meant that Alana would still be alive. Hannibal didn't need to know that part. Abigail didn't need to hear it. But it seemed that Hannibal's eyes already knew. Another of Hannibal's strange expressions left his face before I could properly discern its meaning.

"But if you did save her, would that be different?"

I sighed and then replied, "Yes, that would be different."

"What if the person was undeserving of their life? What if they wasted it by being cruel?"

"Are you a killer?" I said and laughed. The first real laugh I had let out in awhile. Even as I was laughing I seriously considered Hannibal's joke. If Gideon had been killed sooner then Alana would still be alive.

But what if I followed that train of thought and began to think of myself as a god? I would then think it was up to me to decide if someone was worthy of life. Alana's face filled my mind and it became hard for me to think of that part as a downside.

I was woken up from my thoughts by my cellphone.

I checked who was calling me as I was afraid of continuing the conversation. I was especially scared of what I would admit to them, but even more afraid of what I'd admit to myself.

"I'm sorry, I have to take this." I said, relieved that I had an excuse to get out. "It's Beverly."

As I walked out to answer the call, I saw Hannibal look at me. He appeared angry and I didn't blame him. Leaving a dinner with the excuse of a phone call was very rude.
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Inbetween tumblr

Mini-LP: Hitman: Absolution (Parts 13-15)

revrezner plays Hitman: Absolution.