Hannibal Rising

"Hannibal Rising" by Thomas Harris is a prequel to the series of novels featuring the iconic cannibalistic serial killer, Hannibal Lecter. The book explores the early life of Hannibal Lecter, beginning with his childhood in Lithuania during World War II.

Hannibal's family is brutally murdered by a group of Nazi collaborators, forcing him to flee with his younger sister, Mischa. The two siblings are eventually captured by the same collaborators, and Hannibal is forced to witness his sister's cannibalization by the group. The trauma of this event leads Hannibal down a dark path, leading him to seek revenge on those who wronged him and his sister.

The story then jumps forward to Hannibal's young adulthood, where he is studying medicine in Paris. There, he begins to develop a taste for human flesh, and begins to target those who he believes deserve to be punished. His taste for revenge leads him to seek out those responsible for his sister's death and brutally kill them, using his medical knowledge to inflict maximum pain.

The book also introduces the character of Lady Murasaki, a Japanese woman who becomes Hannibal's aunt-by-marriage and plays a significant role in shaping his character. Through her guidance, Hannibal learns to channel his violent tendencies and desires for revenge into more refined and calculated acts.

As the story progresses, Hannibal's killing spree draws the attention of French authorities, including Inspector Popil, who becomes obsessed with bringing him to justice. Meanwhile, Hannibal continues to pursue his revenge against those who wronged him and his sister, leading to a final confrontation that sets the stage for the events of the original "Red Dragon" novel.

Overall, "Hannibal Rising" provides an in-depth look at the early life and development of one of literature's most iconic villains. Through exploring Hannibal's traumatic past and the events that shaped him, the book provides insight into his motivations and allows readers to understand how he became the monster that he is. While the book received mixed reviews upon its release, it remains a must-read for fans of the Hannibal Lecter series and provides a satisfying conclusion to the story of the infamous cannibal.