I Am Legend by Richard Matheson
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Book Reviews of I Am Legend
Book Review: True horror classic
Summary: 5 Stars
I first read this book many years ago as a teenager. It left a very long lasting impression of what it means to be utterly isolated and completely alone. A terrifying prospect for most of us. Throw in the fact that you are completely surrounded by souless former human beings, and it becomes an unbearable premise. Richard Matheson pioneered this concept in literature to great effect. Witness the number of similar books that have been written since. Not to mention the three (that I am aware of) film renditions: The Last Man On Earth, with Vincent Price, The Omega Man, with Charlton Heston, and now the first film to actually bear the title of the book. I look forward to the new film. Although I'm not sure Will Smith was the right casting choice. We'll see. At one time Arnold Schwarzeneger had planned to film and star in another remake! That would have been an interesting signature film for his acting career. In any case. This book still has the ability to chill and make one feel the unbearable loneliness of the protaganist. It also evokes the atmosphere, quite effectively, of an empty (of humanity), lonely world. New fans of this genre should find this book affecting and entertaining, if somewhat dated. (It was written in 1953 after all!) I recommend it highly.
Book Review: One of the Best of All Time!
Summary: 5 Stars
I read this book over and over when I was much younger. The idea of the story completely captured my imagination every time I read it! I wanted to be that "last man on earth", to fight the good fight.
The funny thing is, I recently read the book again. What a difference time and maturity can make in perspective. The idea is still there, to be the last man, struggling against evil, but that really isn't the main premise here.
Yes, this book probably influenced all the post apocalyptic and zombie stories that were written after it was published.
But this story is, and always will be, the story of a man coping with the death of civilization as we know it. He also struggles with personal loss and grief while trying to come to terms with devastation on a global scale.
If you like zombie/vampire stories, by all means read this. Make sure you look at the publishing date when you do. Then you will realize how many clones of this story are out there.
If you like stories dealing with one man's struggle against overwhelming odds, read this as well. The last scene, where the crowd quiets as he walks into sight is epic! When he realizes what he is and what he represents to that society gave me goosebumps. Very deep and very powerful!
Book Review: Horror Extraordinaire
Summary: 5 Stars
Robert Neville is, or at least he believes he is, the last man alive, the only person on the planet not killed by a plague. However, sadly for Robert, those who died didn't stay dead, they've been resurrected as vampires who hunger for Robert's blood. During the day Robert works on making his home a fortress, but he also uses mirrors and garlic to ward of the dead who won't stay dead. He's stocked up his house with food and classical music (records, not CDs - the book was written in 1954 after all).
Neville is immune to what happened to the vampires and wonders why, so he starts going to the Los Angeles Public Library, where he researches viruses and bacteria and as he thinks he begins to understand what's going on he finds out he may not be the last person alive. There may be more.
It's been years since I've read this book and I've written the above from memory, but I think I've gotten it pretty straight as the book made quite an impression on me. Matheson put me right in Neville's head, made me afraid. I felt Neville's loneliness, felt him all too well. Then there were the vampires, pretty bloody scary. It's a short book, but it's horror extraordinaire.
Book Review: "Full circle"
Summary: 5 Stars
Following my usual preference for reading before viewing, I looked up Richard Matheson's book after one of my Amazon friends reviewed it. Though not a big vampire fan, I was completely absorbed in this classic story.
Robert Neville is apparently the only survivor of a plague that turned the rest of mankind into vampires. Barricaded in his house by night, he roams during the day when the creatures hide from the light. Anger, alcohol and the horrors he's seen threaten to push him into madness but he channels his energy into searching for the science behind the phenomenon. The story--a short novel--keeps its relentless pace and tension right through to the jarring conclusion.
There's always a challenge in keeping the "voice" all the way through a story with essentially one character and not much dialog. Matheson meets that challenge. Neville goes through the fire of his solitary horror-ridden years and comes out rusty-voiced but not without hope. At the end, a tipping point, a synthesis--too late for Neville to ponder it, but it will stay with the reader for a long time.
Linda Bulger, 2008
Book Review: A Little Disappointed In The Movie Now.
Summary: 5 Stars
I saw "I Am Legend" the movie with my fiancee at the theater in January. We both liked the movie, and after watching it, we went across the street to the video store to rent a couple of movies for the night. The clerk there was very informative and told us that the movie was "Somewhat" based on the book of the same name. Being the curious type, I bought the book, and read it.
The differences are very obvious, and I won't point them out for those of you that want to read the book if you've seen the movie or see the movie if you've read the book.
I will say that I think the book is superior (Aren't they always?) to the movie. There were some times in the movie that gave me the creeps, but the book gave me the creeps all the way through. It's a very psychological thriller of a book.
The book is short as well. In my copy, the story "I Am Legend" only runs 159 pages, and is an easy read. My copy also has several short stories by Matheson after "I Am Legend", and these stories are entertaining too.