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'I Am Legend' is the second book in the series and also the shortest I've come across so far, (being only 160-pages long). Originally published in 1954, it was the first novel written by Richard Matheson, who previous had some short stories published. For those of you who are interested ... Read review
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acclaimed SF novel about vampires becomes a stunning new movie starring Will Smith. The last man on earth is not alone ...Robert Neville is the last living man...
Neville is the last living man on Earth ...but he is not alone. Every other man, woman and child on the planet has become a vampire, and they are hungry for...
reprints series.I Am Legend, though, was a trailblazing and later much imitated story that reinvented the vampire myth as SF. Without losing the horror, it presents vampirism as a disease whose secrets can be unlocked by scientific tools. The hero Robert Neville, perhaps the last uninfected man on Earth, finds himself in a paranoid nightmare. By night, the bloodthirsty undead of small-town America besiege his barricaded house: their repeated cry "Come out, Neville!" is a famous SF catchphrase. By day, when they hide in shadow and become comatose, Neville gets out his wooden stakes for an orgy of slaughter. He also discovers pseudoscientific explanations, some rather strained, for vampires' fear of light, vulnerability to stakes though not bullets, loathing of garlic, and so on. What gives the story its uneasy power is the gradual perspective shift which shows that by fighting monsters Neville is himself becoming monstrous--not a vampire but something to terrify vampires and haunt their dreams as a dreadful legend from the bad old days.I Am Legendwas altered out of recognition when filmed asThe Omega Man(1971), starring Charlton Heston. Avoid the movie; read the book. --David Langford
reprints series.I Am Legend, though, was a trailblazing and later much imitated story that reinvented the vampire myth as SF. Without losing the horror, it presents vampirism as a disease whose secrets can be unlocked by scientific tools. The hero Robert Neville, perhaps the last uninfected man on Earth, finds himself in a paranoid nightmare. By night, the bloodthirsty undead of small-town America besiege his barricaded house: their repeated cry "Come out, Neville!" is a famous SF catchphrase. By day, when they hide in shadow and become comatose, Neville gets out his wooden stakes for an orgy of slaughter. He also discovers pseudoscientific explanations, some rather strained, for vampires' fear of light, vulnerability to stakes though not bullets, loathing of garlic, and so on. What gives the story its uneasy power is the gradual perspective shift which shows that by fighting monsters Neville is himself becoming monstrous--not a vampire but something to terrify vampires and haunt their dreams as a dreadful legend from the bad old days.I Am Legendwas altered out of recognition when filmed asThe Omega Man(1971), starring Charlton Heston. Avoid the movie; read the book. --David Langford
reprints series.I Am Legend, though, was a trailblazing and later much imitated story that reinvented the vampire myth as SF. Without losing the horror, it presents vampirism as a disease whose secrets can be unlocked by scientific tools. The hero Robert Neville, perhaps the last uninfected man on Earth, finds himself in a paranoid nightmare. By night, the bloodthirsty undead of small-town America besiege his barricaded house: their repeated cry "Come out, Neville!" is a famous SF catchphrase. By day, when they hide in shadow and become comatose, Neville gets out his wooden stakes for an orgy of slaughter. He also discovers pseudoscientific explanations, some rather strained, for vampires' fear of light, vulnerability to stakes though not bullets, loathing of garlic, and so on. What gives the story its uneasy power is the gradual perspective shift which shows that by fighting monsters Neville is himself becoming monstrous--not a vampire but something to terrify vampires and haunt their dreams as a dreadful legend from the bad old days.I Am Legendwas altered out of recognition when filmed asThe Omega Man(1971), starring Charlton Heston. Avoid the movie; read the book. --David Langford
A review by BlueMidget on I Am Legend - Richard Matheson April 6th, 2007
Author's product rating:
Would you read it again?
Yes
Story
Good
Characters
Good
Readability
Average
How does it compare to other works by the same author?
Very good
Advantages:
Great character development, enjoyable read
Disadvantages:
Certain threads aren't explained too well
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
Science-Fiction has been around for decades and, for many at least, can spark the imagination. The 'SF-Masterworks Series' goes back some fifty to sixty years, presenting novels that are often considered 'classics', giving fans of the genre, young and old, the opportunity to read books and encounter authors they may otherwise never have come across.
'I Am Legend' is the second book in the series and also the shortest I've come across so far, (being only 160-pages long). Originally published in 1954, it was the first novel written by Richard Matheson, who previous had some short stories published. For those of you who are interested in such things, a quick read of the pre-story pages reveals that the book later went on to become the movie 'The Omega Man'.
Set initially in 1976, 'I Am Legend' tells the story of Robert Neville, a man whose sole task is to survive in a world where everyone else has somehow become vampires. Hunting them by day, but resorting to barricading himself in his house for protection when night falls. It details three years or so of his life, coming to terms with his lot, trying to survive and, most of all, trying to change his circumstances for the better.
Now, vampires may not seem like a typical subject for a science-fiction novel, but in many ways, this is no typical sci-fi. Matheson walks a very fine line between two rarely connected genres and, in my opinion at least, manages to do it very well.
Neville is a well written character and rather than being some kind of semi-superhuman being, he is simply a average man forced into a difficult and strange situation, who has to hunt vampires in order to preserve his own life, rather than out of any sense of duty. The way in which Matheson writes the character is such that I found Neville's reaction to his isolation from mankind was particularly engaging, with what appears to be a borderline schizophrenia prominent throughout the majority of the book - indeed the character often seems on the brink of a descending into madness because of his situation. Neville's battle with various inner demons is a great thread through the book, from his use of alcohol to try and forget the past, to his feeling of a forced life of celibacy. Despair and hope also feature heavily through the book, with Neville going through repeated bouts of extreme despair through to great elation at certain prospects. I felt these passages were something most people could identify with to some degree and it helps you feel empathy for Neville and his situation, drawing you into the book more.
Matheson's writing style is quite clever in places, creating threads that later help back up certain elements of the character and plot. For example, early on in the book, Neville mentions two names, 'Kathy' and 'Virginia', though it is not initially clear who these people are. A little further into the book, by using a sort of 'flashback' it is revealed that they were his young daughter and wife and the reason behind his feelings towards them, as well as his alcoholic tendencies, become clear.
I did quite enjoy the way certain things were explained by using flashbacks, taking Neville back to 1975 and a time when there was still other humans alive. On the other hand, certain things are not so well explained. For example, the novel hints that there was some kind of war, but it is never really mentioned in any great detail. Equally, early on it is stated that Neville was a soldier, but this seems in many ways a throw away comment, not entirely relevant to the plot - the only remotely significance that it connects to is that he had a cross tattooed on his chest whilst he was in service, but this also is only loosely connected to the rest of the plot - I for one felt the tattoo should have played a much more significant role in the story.
One thing I did particularly liked about the way 'I Am Legend' is written is that is it divided into three parts, the first part being January 1976, the second March 1976 and the third June 1978. This I found a very effective way of moving the story along, without having to go into great detail about Neville's precise actions between certain events. Another thing I enjoyed was that the 'science' aspect of the book was Neville's own investigations into what had caused vampires in the first place, trying to decipher facts from myth. For example, he knows garlic keeps them away, but he doesn't understand why. The science of this particular fiction is not fantastical or futuristic, but grounded in tried and tested methods of experiment, observe and conclude. I myself have not read many sci-fi novels in this vein and so found it quite an interesting and different approach.
Reading the book itself it no great chore - I managed to complete it in a day - as the language used is very accessible and easy to read. Again, by not relying on fantastic technology or alien concepts, I believe Matheson is able to reach a greater audience than is typically capable of science-fiction. I actually think if you're the kind of person who's struggled with sci-fi because of certain concepts, or you've just never particularly enjoyed it as a genre, this book may still well appeal to you, as the science is in many ways secondary to the character development.
One thing I have often found amusing when reading older science-fiction is that, as I read it, it is often set in the past, (though admittedly when it was written, it was the author's future). Some times you have to laugh at certain ideas that the writer had, (Philip K. Dick's 'Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep?' for example has human-like androids walking around in the early 1990s); however, in this instance, because Matheson doesn't rely on possible technological developments as a crutch for the plot, the story works well as a potential alternative history. Equally, the story to my mind still 'holds water', as it were, had it been set in virtually any other period in history or the future.
Towards the end of the book, (or at least during the third part), I felt certain things had been thrown in as an after thought - an example of this is Neville's theory as to why he hasn't become a vampire himself, citing the fact that he was bitten by a vampire bat whilst in service with the army; however, there had been no previous mention of this earlier in the book and for me it seemed to come out of nowhere. That said, it didn't ruin my overall enjoyment of the book, as its strength lies not in precise detail of plot, but more in the reactions and interactions of the characters.
I wouldn't say that I was disappointed with the way the novel ends, but it did seem a little bit as if the reader had been left hanging - in many ways it lends itself superbly to a sequel, but (at least to my current knowledge), Matheson never wrote another book based on the same timeline. Despite this "cliff-hanger" ending, the plot does overall round itself off nicely, answering far more questions than it actually leaves.
'I Am Legend' is a book I would probably read again at some point, but it would probably be a few years down the line. Although there are some minor flaws in the plot, I found it an enjoyable read and I would happily recommend it to people even, as already mentioned, if you're not normally a sci-fi fan, I still believe you would be able to get some enjoyment from this particular novel. By now means a great, life-changing book, but I can understand exactly why it's been chosen as part of the 'Masterworks' series, well worth reading.
More Reviews
I am gobsmacked Review ofI Am Legend - Richard Mathesonby
MonkeyboyUK
Advantages: Amazing premise, claustrophobic and creepy Disadvantages: The ending leaves something to be desired
...to the point: 151 pages. I read it in one sitting (11pm to 3am), unable to put it down.
The central premise is enough to give you the creeps. The year is 1976. Robert Neville is, to his knowledge, the last living man on Earth. A virus has wiped out the majority of civilisation, leaving the survivors as mindless, bloodthirsty vampires, but he is immune. At night, Neville sits in his pokey little house, fortified with whatever meagre defences he can ... ...Vincent Price, which I've yet to see, and the rather disappointing "The Omega Man" (1971), starring Charlton Heston (which I will review in its own right). Matheson also wrote "The Incredible Shrinking Man", which, if this book is anything to go by, is sure to be a work of geniues. ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Would you read it again?
Story
Characters
Readability
How does it compare to ...
very helpful
20.04.2001
Legendary work Review ofI Am Legend - Richard Mathesonby
Telute
Advantages: Robert is brill Disadvantages: Can't think of any off-hand
...This is a book i would reccommend to anyone. Its packed with tension and not overly gory or scary. Theres plenty to read and lots to understand about the workings of vampires and the factual basis makes the book seem very real. Here is a true up-dating of the vampire myth and a definate must read. ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
...to criticise of this novel I would say that although Matheson is an accomplished author who writes descriptively and vividly the lesser characters are never really fully realised. We learn little of friend turned vampire Ben Cortman's past and motives for tormenting Neville and even less about other characters. However, this is but a minor trifle in what is an otherwise exemplary novel. Fans of the horror genre should read it and so should those ... ...history.
At 176 pages I was amazed at how much detail there was to this book. Buy it, I read it on recommendation by a member of this very site and I am urging you to take my recommendation. This book is that good two movies have been made based on it, "The Last Man on Earth" and "The Omega Man". However, we all no the book is always better than the films so go on read it, you will not be disappointed. ISBN: 1857988094
Publisher: Orion Publishing ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Classic vampire fiction, that opened our perspective to creatures outside Victorian melodrama. Disadvantages: There are none. If you read horror, read this.
...released in the UK. I shan't complain too harshly, however. It's too pleasing to see it in bookshops again.
Robert Neville is the last living man on Earth. Worse than this, every other man, woman, and child has become a vampire, and each would like a sample of the last human blood on the planet. By night, he barricades himself into his home, modified now as a fortress. By day, he takes his turn as the hunter, finding the hiding places of the undead ... ...hunter and victim is key to the novel's success - inevitably, Neville must somehow slip up or fail. Much of the tension from this terse epic comes from this inevitability. We watch his every move, wondering as we go whether we have seen him do something wrong, whether the next page is going to give us the consequences of some tiny mistake he has made. Some of the novel's finest, most thrilling action sequences come from this point of tension. After ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: It's Richard Matheson at his best Disadvantages: Some of the scientific narrative is a little dry in places
...come out. Now that's what I call imagination!
Richard Matheson books are somewhat hard to get hold of in libraries and bookshops these days (thank heavens for online shopping!). I can only assume it is because his (novel) output isn't particularly prolific - eight novels in just under fifty years. It is a pity because it may mean that Matheson may not get the vast (modern) audience that his writing deserves. So what makes him so good? First of all, ... ...down with unnecessary descriptive sidetracks. I would say that Stephen King, a writer by his own admission heavily influenced by Matheson, is my favourite author - he writes beautifully. However some of King's more recent works ('Bag of Bones' comes to mind) could have been equally effective if they were 50 to 100 pages shorter. At just over 150 pages, 'I am Legend' is actually a rather brief novel and it is no longer than it needs to be.
Secondly, ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
...AmLegend.
Author - RichardMathesonI remember watching the original film 'The Omega Man', starring Charlton Heston. It was a bit poor and massively different from this book. The latest version starring will smith is slightly different from the book but closer to the mark.
The story;
~~~~~~
Robert Neville is the last 'Normal' human alive in the city of Los Angeles and possibly the last in the world.
Every night he has to barricade himself inside his home getting drunk whilst Vampires roam the streets.
His neighbours and friends taunt him, "Come outside, we have something to show you".
His mind is constantly prayed upon with doubts and agonies of why only he survived, if he should carry on alone and if there is a cure.
Whilst out one day he encounters a wild dog but it soon becomes his companion if only for a short while...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
...If I say RichardMatheson, usually most people wouldn't recognize the name.... never heard of him, sorry pal (even in book stores!).
If I say instead: The Twilight Zone, IAmLegend, The Incredible Shrinking Man, The Outer Limits, Spielberg's "Duel" etc... perhaps more people would agree they have at least heard of these tv and cinema productions. The man behind it all is RichardMatheson.
As a matter of fact I have started to know RichardMatheson through films; I'm one of those who read most of the credits at the end of a film. His name kept popping up in a lot of interesting stuff. I simply had to investigate more... what I found was one of the most unknown and genius sci-fi and terror writer I have ever read, "son" of Ray Bradbury and "father" of Stephen King.
--------------------------The Man And His Stories...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Great descriptions of 'cyberpunk' post-apocalyptic future, excellent ideas Disadvantages: Some concepts are hard to understand, and the science is often a little unbelievable
...of 'film is based on' book or novelisation was also solved when I saw "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? filmed as" in humorously small print above the huge logo "BLADE RUNNER." My copy was clearly trying to benefit as much as possible from the success of the film, which I still have not seen but would like to.
Overall, I wouldn't have likely ever read this book if I hadn't seen it so cheap in perfect condition. It certainly helped to expand my acceptance of science fiction, and thanks to reading this a couple of months ago I've now managed to read Arthur C. Clarke, Utopian novels and even RichardMatheson's sci-fi/vampire novel "IamLegend."
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NOTE: I originally wrote this review for Dooyoo under the name 'Brains,' I just decided that I'd like to contribute it here as it is one...
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helpful 24.10.2003
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