The Silence of the Lambs
By Thomas Harris, read by Kathy Bates
Simon & Schuster Audio
The name “Hannibal” is on many book reviewers’ lips these days, usually followed by a disparaging comment or two. Thomas Harris’ fourth novel about the well-heeled cannibal, “Hannibal Rising,” has been almost universally panned by the press. You’re probably better off with another sequel in the Lecter series, “The Silence of the Lambs,” Harris’ most famous tale that was a follow-up to “Red Dragon.” Even though Hannibal Lecter and Agent Clarice Starling’s relationship is well-known by now, listeners will thrill to this tale’s intrinsic creepiness. Care to chew on more sequels? Check out these other audiobooks that feature beloved (and sometimes rascally) characters:
Independence Day
By Richard Ford, read by John Rubinstein
Random House Audio
In this Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, Frank Bascombe from “The Sportswriter” makes some keen observations about his life as key events unfold around the 4th of July. This sequel’s sequel, “The Lay of the Land,” was published last year, also to rave reviews.
Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There
By Lewis Carroll, read by Fiona Shaw
Naxos Audiobooks
As if Alice didn’t have enough weird adventures in Wonderland.
Be Cool
Elmore Leonard, read by Campbell Scott
HarperAudio
Smooth-talking Chili Palmer is back in this entertaining continuation (which riffs on sequels) to “Get Shorty.”
Scarlett: The Sequel to Margaret Mitchell’s Gone With the Wind
By Alexandra Ripley, read by Dixie Carter
Simon & Schuster Audioworks
Sure, this may not be the greatest literature of all time, but it is kind of tempting to find out what might have happened to Rhett and Scarlett.
