Something I learned again: don't expect that the movie and the book are the same.
The first two movies are very similar to the books, so I thought this wouldn't be different as well. I was soo wrong.

After I finished it, I really didn't know what to think about it.
I mean, it was intriguing, there was a lot of suspense, the storyline was very good. But then that ending. To me, it seemed that the last few chapters didn't fit in. But when you think of it, I kind of like it.

I like Hannibal Lecter so much. He is the kindest, most charming, most romantic psychopath you'll ever meet.
I think the way the readers, or I, see Hannibal, is also the way Clarice sees Hannibal. And I think that explains the ending. He was one of the only guys who actually respected Clarice and saw her for who she really was; a beautiful, smart woman who knows what she wants and who respects herself and always stands up for herself. She is a character with a lot of depth, just like Hannibal, and that's why they ended up together.