I Am Legend - Richard Matheson

I Am Legend

ByRichard Matheson

  • Release Date: 2011-05-14
  • Genre: Horror
Score: 4
4
From 434 Ratings

Description

Winner of the Bram Stoker Lifetime Achievement Award for best vampire novel of the century: the genre-defining classic of horror sci-fi that inspired three films.
 
The population of the entire world has been obliterated by a pandemic of vampire bacteria. Yet somehow, Robert Neville survived. He must now struggle to make sense of what happened and learn to protect himself against the vampires who hunt him nightly.
 
As months of scavenging and hiding turn to years marked by depression and alcoholism, Robert spends his days hunting his tormentors and researching the cause of their affliction. But the more he discovers about the vampires around him, the more he sees the unsettling truth of who is—and who is not—a monster.
 
Richard Matheson's I Am Legend has been a major influence on horror literature. In 2012, it was named the best vampire novel of the century by the Horror Writers Association and the Bram Stoker Estate. The novel was adapted to film in 1964 as The Last Man on Earth, in 1971 as Omega Man, and in 2007 as I am Legend, starring Will Smith.

Reviews

  • I am Legend

    4
    By thuprume
    Way better than the movie; and the ending actually makes sense with the title. Read in less than 2 days!

  • Good for its time

    3
    By Mellitourniquet
    An enjoyable read, but leaves you wanting something.

  • Dated

    2
    By freedomgrenade
    Im sure this was excellent in 1954. Ive seen all the film versions so I like the idea. The problem is, it’s really depressing. He rambles on and drinks himself silly, then rambles some more. I get he’s too in his head, but it gets tedious.

  • Pretty good

    4
    By Han Solo21
    I was glad it was different from the 2007 film. It is much darker and sadder and hits you in the gut especially at the end. I liked the main character Robert and reading about his life during this apocalypse and would recommend it to anyone who likes a slow dark story about what is it to be human? And how can someone move on when everything is just gone. Deep stuff and highly recommend.

  • 👍

    5
    By Teef the first
    Great 👍

  • Movie better than book

    3
    By Jibber8675309
    Read this because of the movie and the sequel using this alternate ending. Very disappointed. Really glad the screenwriters chose to go a different route. This is one instance where the movie is better than the book.

  • Love it!

    5
    By Livies1
    I had to forget about the movie altogether and read from the beginning like it was a totally different story. I saw the movie years ago and glad I did. I would have been so disappointed in the adaptation. Since I’ve read it now, I see it as an unrelated story and unique in itself. Loved it!

  • Unique, Interesting

    4
    By Scythe Leonardo
    Very unique, Robert Neville is definitely and interesting man, good book

  • Boring...

    2
    By VallyVal53
    Most of the book is a lonely alcoholic rambling about his wife and struggling with his sex drive that is SO strong he reaches a point where he’s literally attracted to and fantasizing about the dead vampire women he finds rotting in the streets.
    The author also spends a lot of time trying really hard to scientifically explain what vampires “really” are instead of just telling a good story. I don’t care about the scientific explanation of why garlic repels vampires—I care about the supposed last man on earth doing more than drinking, fantasizing about sex with vampire zombies, or staring into a microscope.
    The writing is mediocre. The main character is dull. And the story drags on for pages, which is saying a lot because it’s a short story.
    I should’ve just watched the movie again because it actually did something this author clearly has no idea how to do—it made sense. And it entertained me.
    I want my money back.

  • Great Survival Story

    5
    By thescienceguy8774
    Very cool survival story with a horror setting and a great ending! This is much better than the movie!

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