Hannibal Rising by Thomas Harris (2006, Hardcover)

You have to be a serious Hannibal Lector fan to purchase this book, and if you are, you will be disappointed in this story. Yes, there are a few -zingers- regarding Hannibal's youth, (and his ability to LOVE), but the story revolves around him searching for, and killing (as only Hannibal can) the Nazi war criminals who brutalized him and killed his family. I read the book in just a few hours. I may read it again after I see the movie. This story doesn't even come close to the previous novels.. Hannibal, Red Dragon, or Silence of the Lambs. Those contained creative stories, deliciously horrid descriptions, black humor, and a slow steady build-up to real terror. This is my first ever review. My great disappointment in this book has compelled me to write this, and to open myself up to criticism. I bought this new from Amazon for $16.77. and I am unhappy with the quality of the book. The paper is thick, cheap looking, and the pages aren't trimmed. It looks like a book club book. Although I pre-ordered to have a first edition, it is not labeled as such. My advice is: buy it for a good price on ebay, or read it at the library.