Conner Buchko

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Conner Buchko is currently reading

The Jester

by James Patterson (Goodreads Author)

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Nov 05, 2015 06:44AM

Conner Buchko is currently reading

The Silence of the Lambs (Hannibal Lecter, #2)

by Thomas Harris

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Reading for the 2nd time

read in October 2015

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Conner Buchko said: " Personal Response and General Reactions To Plot:

The book entitled The Silence of the Lambs is a horror/ realistic fiction novel created by Thomas Harris. This reading follows Clarice Starling as she uses the help and guidance from a dangerous yet ver Personal Response and General Reactions To Plot:

The book entitled The Silence of the Lambs is a horror/ realistic fiction novel created by Thomas Harris. This reading follows Clarice Starling as she uses the help and guidance from a dangerous yet very educated serial killer, Hannibal Lector; to capture a gruesome transgender serial killer Buffalo Bill. The book takes place in the 1980’s and has an amazing plot and characterization. A movie entitled The Silence of the Lambs was directly adapted from the book and won many awards. The movie turned into an instant cult classic with Anthony Hopkins famously portraying Lector.

Characterization:
The first time I came across The Silence of the Lambs was the movie. I watched it in middle school and it instantly became one of my favorite films. I never had an interest in reading the book but when I saw it was in the library, I figured I might as well give it a shot. The book and movie are very similar, but the book adds more detail and really strengthens the story line from the first page, to the last. The story takes place all over the east coast of the United States. The FBI is the law enforcement agency that our main character (Clarice Starling) is in. She is new to the agency, throughout the book she is noted as only a trainee. She specializes in psychology. This helps her in better understanding the way serial killers work, this is also why Lector takes in interest in Starling. Starling is the only person in the story that Lector opens up to. Yet he is very careful what he says. He never gives information straight forward. He always chooses his words wisely and makes Starling think about what he says before she figures out what his statement really means.

Plot:
The plot starts off with FBI Trainee Clarice Starling who is a psychological analysis getting called to her superior’s (Jack Crawford) office. He informs her of the serial killer the Chesapeake Ripper. To get more information on the Ripper, Crawford sends Starling to interrogate a Serial Killer in captivity Hannibal “The Cannibal” Lecter. Hannibal got this title because he would sometimes eat his patients. He is a very educated and smart doctor and is one of the most dangerous serial killers of all time. When she arrives in Baltimore she meets with Lecter and the talk back and forth. It is quite evident in the first meeting between the two that Lecter takes an interest in Starling. Shortly after the meeting she follows some of his hints and discovers the decapitated head of Clause. Then the story takes a U Turn when the FBI discovers another victim's body. They perform an autopsy and find a moth inside of the throat of the victim. Starling also figures out that the Ripper partially skins the body of the victim. Once again Starling gets cut off when it is discovered that the daughter of a United States Senator has been kidnapped by the ripper. Clarice once again meets with Lector and receives more information. He gives her the evidence that the Ripper is transgender and skins his victims to make a female suit he can wear to become female. At this time also the senator wants to interrogate Lecter herself so she arranges a transfer. Starling meets with Lector for the last time after the transfer and Lecter learns more about than Starling then he tells her. She tells him about her childhood and the origins of “the screaming of the lambs” being slaughtered. Shortly after their meeting (around dinner time) Lecter escapes his cell disguising himself as one of the police guards who he has just slaughtered. He then checks himself into a hotel using a false identity and proceeds to alter his appearance. At this time Starling keeps investigating the missing persons case of Catherine. The book sometimes jumps to Jame Gumb (who we discover is the suspect) as he prepares to take her life and finish his suit. At this time he is a day or two away from taking the hide. He needs to have the victim apply lotions and cream to their body to get the skin in proper shape for the suit. Eventually Starling discovers the house of Jame Gumb and meets there and shortly after kills Gumb after he is moments away from killing her. The story ends with Hannibal writing a short letter to Starling asking her the important question, “Have the Lambs stopped screaming.”

Impact of Time and Setting:
The setting is simply the backdrop for the story. The setting is not really a huge part of this book. The only part of the story that the setting is important in is the transfer between states Lecter takes apart of. This transfer from Baltimore to Virginia allows him to escape from his cell and go to St. Lewis where he changes his appearance to escape the police.

Audience and Recommendations:
This story is not for young children or people who have a problem with very adult themes. Swearing is common in this book and the overall theme of murder appeals towards teenagers and adults. Once you start reading this story, you will not be able to put it down. It captures you and makes for a very interesting read. I would put my age stamp for this book 14+. As for a rating for this book I would give it a 5/5. It is simply too good to pass up. With so many themes, intriguing characters, and an amazing plot line, this story will be sure not to disappoint. ...more "

Oct 23, 2015 12:52PM · see review