Review: Hannibal Rising

So we have the fifth novel by the reclusive Tom Harris and the fourth to feature the extraordinary Hannibal Lecter. We’ve seen the good doctor progress from the sidelines in ‘Red Dragon’, to supporting role in ‘The Silence of the Lambs’, to centre stage in ‘Hannibal’ and now we see the Young Hannibal – the boy and the circumstance that made him the monster he is today.

Firstly, this is a very different book, much less complex, much less cerebral than its precursors, it reads more like a screenplay, which is little surprise considering that the film is currently shot, and in post production with a release planned in February 2007.

I read it in one sitting – and found the same hypnotic and beguiling style that appears in all of Harris’ work.

It is however much bloodier than I had anticipated, and filled with the existential qualities that make Harris’ work so interesting and provocative. Hannibal Rising is split into two narrative strands, the first section details Hannibal [aged 8] and the fate of his family in 1944 [wartime Lithuania]. The Lecter clan live in splendour deep within a forest – descendants of Hannibal The Grim, an obvious reference to the Grimm Brothers because this section reads like a monstrous fairy-tale. We knew from ‘Hannibal’ [1999] that his sister Mischa was eaten by a group of brigands in the winter, and this coupled with the death of his family and tutor Mr. Jakov started to shape his psyche. The other factor in building his personality is Hannibal’s ‘memory palace’ – where he resides mentally to escape from the reality around him. This takes shape with him avoiding venturing into the forest that surrounds the palace, because he has blanked the horrific fate of his sister. Now mute and beating up bullies in an orphanage, he is rescued by his uncle Robert Lecter and his aunt, the very Japanese Lady Murasaki and transplanted to Paris.

The second section features Hannibal’s education both academically as well as his instructions from Lady Murasaki, with whom he starts to fall in love with. This relationship forms a love so strong that, when a local butcher Paul Momund insults his aunt, Lecter takes his revenge in a most brutal and bloody manner. This brings Young Lecter under scrutiny from Police Inspector Popil.

We see the Young Lecter advance through medical school and become a prodigy when it comes to anatomy – due to the artistic talents he develops thanks to Lady Murasaki.

Then the novel in the second section leaves the fairy-tale format and enters Ian Fleming territory as Young Lecter finds the memories of the murder of his sister Mischa – and embarks on a revenge trail, that traverses Europe, North America and puts him face to face with the brigands lead by the vile psychopath Vladis Grutas. Young Lecter shows no mercy as he tracks these men who deal in prostitution [kidnapping of women and sexual slavery] as well as post-war art smuggling, including the theft of the Lecter art collection.

‘Hannibal Rising’ is a much less complex work than its precursors, with its gothic trappings masking both a scary fairytale and a bloody revenge tale. I really don’t care what others thought, because for me it was wonderful to be back in the company of Harris’s words, and his dark and witty imagination. Harry Potter – eat your heart out – Ali Karim

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Ali Karim - RAM

Book Review: Hannibal Rising