What an education. I'm currently writing a villain and know I haven't made her dark enough. This has inspired some ideas. I've read all the Hannibal books but a long time ago. Must revisit. Thanks so much.
Really good, in depth article Alec. I’m with Dave above, I preferred how Brian Cox played the character but the Lecter was all Grand Guignol in Silence which was good fun too
I remember reading that article from Dragon and thinking it was a really good idea but our DM couldn’t be bothered with all the extra descriptions of monsters and just showed us the pictures! 😁
I loved Dragon magazine. We used to get it ordered specially from our local newsagent. 1990 though. Jeezo. I still have to double take when I realise that was 35 years ago!😐
Thanks, Chantal! I read Silence of the Lambs years ago (back when the movie came out), but only read this one for the first time a few weeks ago. It's so creepy and disturbing and yet says very little that's explicit. Really is a masterpiece.
It truly is. I read it years ago, after I read Silence of the Lambs and found it was a lot scarier than Silence of the Lambs. I have re-read it once or twice since, as it truly is a masterpiece as you say. Must get it out again!
Soooo... I read the novel this month as part of my usual downtime reading routine, loved it, was especially struck by the scene where Will interviews Lecter, and wanted to work out how Harris had made the scene work so well. I did my research on Harris and the publication history of the book (which took a few hours). Then I copied the text onto a Word doc, double-spaced it and literally did a close, critical read (another couple of hours). The structure suggested itself as I was essentially running through the chapter (while being careful not to use too large a chunk of text as I needed it to abide by 'fair use' laws). Yet again, I wanted to write something short and ended up with something really long. :P From start to finish (according to my logbook) this one took me 16 hours in total. I lost about 8 subscribers within ten minutes of posting it, which I don't usually mind but my subscriber-growth has flatlined since May due to whatever algo-change Substack have now imposed. Oh, plus another hour or two to post links on other platforms (my website, Buy me a Coffee, BlueSky, etc.) Hope this helps, Andrew.
It's quite a chunk of time taken away from paying writing-work, but I'm currently telling myself it's training time as I'm literally learning more about the craft. That's why I've been able to keep this publication going, I think, because it's been about teaching myself first, then sharing those findings with readers.
On the subject of the film adaptations, I must admit I much prefer Cox's disturbingly subtle portrayal of Lecter (or Lecktor) to Hopkins's, but even more chilling (and human) was Tom Noonan's Dollarhyde.
I haven't seen Manhunter for years, but remember loving it. Way better than the Brett Ratner remake! Hopkins's take was very cinematic, but, yeah, not exactly subtle. :D
What an education. I'm currently writing a villain and know I haven't made her dark enough. This has inspired some ideas. I've read all the Hannibal books but a long time ago. Must revisit. Thanks so much.
Fantastic! So glad you got something out of this one, Liz! There's so much more I could have gone out of it, but just didn't have space. :P
Really good, in depth article Alec. I’m with Dave above, I preferred how Brian Cox played the character but the Lecter was all Grand Guignol in Silence which was good fun too
I remember reading that article from Dragon and thinking it was a really good idea but our DM couldn’t be bothered with all the extra descriptions of monsters and just showed us the pictures! 😁
Haha! I can't believe you read that Dragon article as well! I managed to dig it out and post it up as a note, right here: https://substack.com/@alecworley/note/c-162129582?r=1l6e8a&utm_source=notes-share-action&utm_medium=web Mmmm! Nostalgia...
I loved Dragon magazine. We used to get it ordered specially from our local newsagent. 1990 though. Jeezo. I still have to double take when I realise that was 35 years ago!😐
I know! Horrifying!
This is a fabulous piece, thank you 🙏
Thanks, Catherine! Really appreciated. Lost a bunch of subs over this one, so it's really nice to hear from folks who liked it. :D
I must dig out my old copy of the book, your essay makes me want to read it again. Great essay!
Thanks, Chantal! I read Silence of the Lambs years ago (back when the movie came out), but only read this one for the first time a few weeks ago. It's so creepy and disturbing and yet says very little that's explicit. Really is a masterpiece.
It truly is. I read it years ago, after I read Silence of the Lambs and found it was a lot scarier than Silence of the Lambs. I have re-read it once or twice since, as it truly is a masterpiece as you say. Must get it out again!
This was excellent. Thank you.
You're very welcome, Dominic! Cheers for reading!
Damn good essay. You have lit an urge to reread that book
Thanks (as always), Andrew! It's a really great book.
Curious - how long did it take you to plan outline write this essay ( do you outline ?)
Soooo... I read the novel this month as part of my usual downtime reading routine, loved it, was especially struck by the scene where Will interviews Lecter, and wanted to work out how Harris had made the scene work so well. I did my research on Harris and the publication history of the book (which took a few hours). Then I copied the text onto a Word doc, double-spaced it and literally did a close, critical read (another couple of hours). The structure suggested itself as I was essentially running through the chapter (while being careful not to use too large a chunk of text as I needed it to abide by 'fair use' laws). Yet again, I wanted to write something short and ended up with something really long. :P From start to finish (according to my logbook) this one took me 16 hours in total. I lost about 8 subscribers within ten minutes of posting it, which I don't usually mind but my subscriber-growth has flatlined since May due to whatever algo-change Substack have now imposed. Oh, plus another hour or two to post links on other platforms (my website, Buy me a Coffee, BlueSky, etc.) Hope this helps, Andrew.
It's quite a chunk of time taken away from paying writing-work, but I'm currently telling myself it's training time as I'm literally learning more about the craft. That's why I've been able to keep this publication going, I think, because it's been about teaching myself first, then sharing those findings with readers.
Yes ! It really takes commitment and I thank u for it
On the subject of the film adaptations, I must admit I much prefer Cox's disturbingly subtle portrayal of Lecter (or Lecktor) to Hopkins's, but even more chilling (and human) was Tom Noonan's Dollarhyde.
I haven't seen Manhunter for years, but remember loving it. Way better than the Brett Ratner remake! Hopkins's take was very cinematic, but, yeah, not exactly subtle. :D