Amazing

It is truly refreshing to hear a book read by the actual author. A splendid performance that only got better.

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Conflicted

1. If you could sum up ‘Hannibal Rising’ by Thomas Harris in 3 words, what would they be? - Lacking, inadequate and sketchy.

2. How credible/believable did you find the narrator to be? - Although Thomas Harris’s narration has been harshly criticised by some listeners, I found it rather enjoyable (but then again I’m quite partial to the Southern American accent).

3. Any additional comments? - The concept behind Hannibal’s psychopathology was credible. However, in my humble opinion the writing style wasn’t very descriptive and I found this incredibly frustrating at times. The only way I can describe it is that many scenarios felt somewhat ‘blacked out/perforated’. I also found Lady Murasaki’s clear infatuation with her ward deeply disturbing.

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Nice intro to Hannibal but slow..

I enjoyed hearing the genesis of Hannibal but found this really slow and laboured.

I'm sure loads will love this but it wasn't really for me.

The reading itself was very good and the quality of the writing unquestioned.

it's worth a try..

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Hannibal Year Zero

What did you like most about Hannibal Rising?

An intelligently plotted novel, combining an awful time in history with an awful origin for everyone's favourite cannibal.

What does Thomas Harris bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Thomas Harris reads his own book and is surprisingly good at it. His performance of the characters gives and extra impetus to the characters.

Any additional comments?

The answer to the question of what made Hannibal Lector, this story also introduces antlers villain in the form of Grutas, one of the nastiest characters in literature. Excellently written and excellently read, this audiobook is definitely one not to miss.

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Very interesting character development

Fascinating insight into the character of Hannibal Lecter and the reasons behind his cold, inhuman, psychopathic personality. It was really interesting to get a look at his unspeakable childhood traumas and see how the only way out for him was revenge on those who had killed his family. I found myself kind of admiring him. Startlingly intelligent from a young age, he is unhinged from his emotions when his family is murdered in front of him and his little sister seized, killed and eaten. Despite the obvious intense trauma this caused him, I found the tone of the whole story rather detached and emotionless. Perhaps this is done on purpose to reflect Hannibal's numbed cauterised emotions, but as a female reader I prefer emotions to be described and felt in my book characters. It didn't help that Robert Harris's voice stayed flat, calm and detached throughout, he never showed any emotion despite the intensely emotional events afflicting every character. There was also a lot of detailed description of the events of the war, the tanks and weapons etc, which although historically intetesting and set the context very well, but I would have preferred a lot more character development, more description of their state of mind rather than the events that occurred around them.
It's for this reason I prefer female authors, who always show a lot more emotional depth. I'm sure this book would appeal more to male readers.

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loved it

did not want the story to finish excellent loved it, will listen to it again

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Chilling

I love the intensity and yet suavness of unnatural emotions portrayed in Hannibal. The coldness and yet the warmth to such a tragic tale.

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Excellent as always

Harris doesn’t release much work but when he does they are crafted to near perfection, not a wasted word or author indulgence.

The narration is on par with a professional.

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Never allow an author to narrate his own book!

The story is good, reasonably interesting although not really engaging.
But it was a huge mistake to have the book narrated by the author. I say it time and again, only professional voice actor should narrate the audiobook, otherwise it becomes amateurish performance detracting from the quality of the story.

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5 people found this helpful

Why Hannibal is Hannibal

How it all started, distressing events that explain the trauma behind the evil doctor. Almost makes you feel sorry for him, almost.

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