Cauliflower is nothing but cabbage with a college education. - Mark Twain
Cauliflower is nothing but cabbage with a college education. - Mark Twain
Member since:16.11.2007
Reviews:5
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This book will take you into realms of paranoia, by the likes you will find in no other novel. Matheson writes of one mans descent into insanity, becoming an almost alienated figure in his post apocalyptic society. Robert Neville is the last man on earth (by which he assumes) and locks himself away from his pursuers, night walking monsters which were once his friends and family. These monsters can only be described as vampires for they seem to show particular traits commonly associated with the lore of vampirism. Yet this is up for question in Neville's mind, a continuous debate on how he can help his neighbours beat this unimaginable disease.
Unlike other vampire novels, Matheson's, I Am Legend portrays a different take on how the vampire can be represented. He goes into scientific detail, by which his main character slowly uncovers the truth behind what is meant by being vampire. There is a clear sense of isolation and alienation throughout the book and at times emotional rifts that will leave the reader with glimpses of hope, and also despair. Being that the narrative is told from Neville's perspective, the reader becomes his mind, as he slowly has conversations with himself, questioning his existence, debating the issue of his demented mind, the reader is put into a situation where response to answer is needed.
Some people have argued that the novel throughout is great but the ending is very poor and weak. I however believe the ending is as it should be. The plot does run very slow throughout the novel, this helps build suspension. When the reader will come to the end, the pace will pick up and leave the reader almost shocked at what happened. I recommend reading this book more than once!
The novel is also part of the Master Works collection of science fiction texts. I Am Legend has inspired many writers of this genre to go on and create other novels. Iain. M Banks being one of those writers. A read in which I find I sense of satisfaction by which is unrivalled by many other books. This gothic novel will not disappoint you and is well worth the money you will pay for it.
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does it differ a lot from the various plots of the films its been turned into?
The-ex-Raven 21.01.2008 15:13
Nice review, has been noted on my to get list (which is getting long thanks to reading book reviews) Like the sound of this - think I'll see film then read this as 9/10 I always like the book better. Manda :o)
It seems strange to find a 1954 vampire novel in Millennium's "SF Masterworks" classic ... more
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 present...
Postage & Packaging: £2.75 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
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
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