David James
asked:
Is it required to read Red Dragon first, or can I start with Silence of the Lambs and read Red Dragon afterwards?
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Tim
It isn't strictly required to understand and enjoy this, but here's my advice: If the reason you want to read Silence of the Lambs first is you plan to skip Red Dragon, don't. Silence of the Lambs does a few things better and is more refined, but Red Dragon is more raw, and all the more interesting for it. They're both roughly on par in terms of pure enjoyment, I liked Red Dragon maybe slightly more but then again there's a reason Silence of the Lambs is more famous, it's more mainstream. So I definitely recommend reading both. You sound like you plan to read both. If that's the case, read Red Dragon first. That way you'll already know a little bit about Hannibal and be accustomed to Harris's slightly unusual but enjoyable style.
So no, I'd never really recommend reading Silence of the Lambs first.
So no, I'd never really recommend reading Silence of the Lambs first.
Kenzie McLaughlin
I read Silence of the Lambs first and then Red Dragon afterwards.It was fine.
Matthew Dawson
In my opinion, both Red Dragon and Silence of the Lambs stand on their own as separate novels. I would read them in order anyway, but it's not required to enjoy the series as a whole.
Reagan Nelson
It's almost as if the novels are separate. There's very little reference to Red Dragon in Silence of the Lambs. I read them in chronological order of publication, but you could read either independently.
Emmy
I read Silence of the Lambs before I read Red Dragon, and I didn't have any problems. I'm rereading Silence and have been finding little references to Red Dragon that I had not picked up on the first time. Usually, I say you should read books in order, but at least for these two, it doesn't really matter.
Christine Whittington
They can stand alone, but it is satisfying to read them in order. I read "Silence of the Lambs" first, then went back and read them in order, starting with Hannibal Rising (not the best, but enlightening).
Allison
I would also read Hannibal Rising, the prequel, because right now it is one of my favorites and it's really a nice opener. I read them in chronological order, but the published order is also a good way to go.
Matt
I agree with Matthew Dawson. Aside from a few brief references to Francis Dolarhyde and Will Graham, the contents of Red Dragon are not really mentioned nor are they needed to understand/enjoy The Silence of the Lambs.
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