To me, you better watch the movie before you read the book! Because if you do it the other way around, you seem to come away from the movie thinking something is missing. It is difficult to put all of the content from a book in to a movie, but this is especially so with a Thomas Harris novel. Red Dragon for me was very good. I saw "Manhunter" back in Germany in 1989 and was thrilled and surprised when finally got to read the novel the movie was loosely based on. I liked the movie, but after reading the book, it was almost like the Miami Vice version of Red Dragon.

This is a wonderful book. Thomas Harris writes with class and there are some sections of the novel that are just so realistic and chilling (Dolarhyde's childhood memories), that one must marvel at Harris's writing ability.

I would say that the first 80% of the novel is brilliance, and maybe the last 20% falls a little flat in comparison as the scenes have that feeling of "same old, same old" to them.

A very strong book, and nearly the same level as Silence.....

This is the book on which Harris' writing career was predicated, and I think his recognition is well-earned.

While hardly groundbreaking, this fast-paced suspense novel wraps up every chapter with a cliffhanger. The writing is leaner and more fast-paced than the later books in the series, and I think that's a good thing.

Dolarhyde, who is maybe a little cartoonish, is nonetheless entertaining to read about. He seems to develop a split personality, one of which is the bloodthirsty dragon, while the other is the socially awkward young man who finds himself falling in love.

Between Dolarhyde, the infamous Hannibal Lecter, and the emotionally vulnerable detective Will Graham, Harris has struck upon three strong characters, each of whom do the heavy lifting of entertaining the audience at times.

I would recommend this book as a page turner, and as an introduction to the character of Hannibal Lecter (although, after Silence, the series really goes downhill).

This was a fantastic book, better than the movie. It was in great shape for a great price.

Red Dragon is an excellent book. Thomas Harris is a master of creating suspenseful stories. The characters that Harris creates fit into the story perfectly. Thomas Harris takes the reader on a psychological rollercoaster ride for the entire novel. Overall, Red Dragon is a must read novel. A+ for Thomas Harris and Red Dragon.

Harris is a dismal talent. This is a typical effort.

OOOOHHHH! Here we go again! A book to be read again and again. Preferably right before reading Silence of the Lambs. Thomas Harris is classic!

This was an excellent book. I read it a few months before the movie came out, and I found it a little better than the movie but the movie was pretty good. I recommend this book for anyone that likes suspense.

This is the best book of the Hannibal trilogy if you want to call it that. Actually, Hannibal isn't in this one a whole lot, but he definitely makes an impression. This is a great book, and you will definitely lock your door before going to sleep.

Red Dragon was my favorite book of all time for many years and I have bought over four copies to give to my friends. It is a fascinating book about the secrets of the mind, about what can go wrong in childhood to create a monster out of a normal, sensitive person.

Love it. Re-reading it again now! The original in the "Silence of the Lambs" series, you must like some sick stuff but if so, check out his books. By far the most unbelievable in his twistedness is his new one, "Hannibal." Not to be missed.

I am a huge fan of 'Silence of the Lambs' and have seen that movie at least 100 times. I just got 'Red Dragon' a couple of weeks ago and I can't put it down. I am not finished but so far, Harris has totally captured me, to where I think I am Will trying to figure out the mystery of the 'Tooth Fairy'. I never get lost and each chapter is a new piece to the puzzle that comes together nicely. I really recommend this book to anyone who is interested in thrillers. I usually am not a big fan of mystery thriller books but this one is really great.

this was a great read one of the best books.

One of the best of the genre.