I Am Legend - Richard Matheson

...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 ...
...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 ...

BlueMidget 06.04.2007 · Read full review
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Review of I Am Legend - Richard Matheson

...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. ...

MonkeyboyUK 20.04.2001 · Read full review
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Review of I Am Legend - Richard Matheson

...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. ...

Telute 13.03.2001 · Read full review
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Review of I Am Legend - Richard Matheson

...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 ...

Shortsharpshock 03.09.2005 · Read full review
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Review of I Am Legend - Richard Matheson

...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 ...

RichardW 18.07.2000 · Read full review
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Review of I Am Legend - Richard Matheson

...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, ...

Karaoke_James 25.03.2001 · Read full review
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Review of I Am Legend - Richard Matheson

...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 ...
...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 ...

Mp_Nichols 21.01.2008 · Read full review
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Review of I Am Legend - Richard Matheson

...desire for answers. I highly recommend this inspirational and thought-provoking book, particularly to those who would usually avoid the vampire novel. This book is neither gory or action-filled, but this is easily compensated for by the easy empathy between the reader and Matheson's main character and the detailed presentation of concepts and subject matter. ...

bbrown116 06.06.2006 · Read full review
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Review of I Am Legend - Richard Matheson

I picked this one up as part of the SF Masterworks series, and I'm ever so glad I did. I'd vaguely heard of the book before that point, and knew that it had been made into a film (The Omega Man, starring Charlton Heston, trivia fans). The basic story is that, well, all those fairytales you've ever heard about vampires? Well, they're not fairytales at all.... A plague of vampirism has descended upon mankind, and it's not looking good. The main character ...
...out. It's a fantastic story (good enough that I've been reading the rest of the Masterworks series, hoping to find another one quite as good), and the ending I thought was possibly the best I've ever read. I keep collaring people and trying to get them to read it. ...

andrewsi 15.04.2001 · Read full review
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Review of I Am Legend - Richard Matheson

...been taken over by Vampires. I know this doesn't sound like the best idea ever, but the book is about more than just this plot. The book features heavily on Robert (the protagonist) and his life. The way he deals with situations, the highs and lows he experiences, the way he learns to cope with situations. It honestly encourages some thought of yourself, and how you would react in similar circumstances. Although rarely scary in a traditional sense, ...
...some extra infomration about certain times in his life. If your looking for a Stephen King style gore and scare fest, this book isn't going to provide that. However I would recommend anyone with a passing interest in the genre to take a few hours out and read this. ...

BadDay 29.10.2007 · Read full review
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Review of I Am Legend - Richard Matheson

I don't reguarly read books, when i think about it the only other book i have read since i was in primary school was the last Harry Potter book. I heard about I Am Legend and the premise interested me. So i picked up a copy and i have to say it\'s one of the most enjoyable books i have ever read. I really loved the setting and the character and his attempts at carrying on to live with out and companionship and i did not expect the ending. I was very suprised that this book was written in the 50\'s as it seemed more modern. If recommend to everyone to read this book, its short but a very interesting tale. ...

wareix 07.11.2007
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Review of I Am Legend - Richard Matheson

...Robert Neville, escapes infection. I Am Legend follows his struggle to not only survive but to retain his sanity. His nights are spent sitting in his heavily fortified house while his now-undead neighbours bay for his blood outside. And his days are spent finding the lairs of the living dead and staking the vampires within. Not exactly what you'd call fun. The book is written in the style of Neville's own diary - which superbly details the stresses ...
...this deeply compelling book which I wasn't able to put down until I'd finished it. Even if you're not a fan of vampires and the ilk, you'll likely still find I Am Legend enjoyable, and maybe, as I did, start wondering what you'd do in Neville's place. One of the most original books ever written - penned as it was by Twilight Zone regular Richard Mattheson - I Am Legend is a superb tale that deserves a place on every reader's bookshelf. Just don't ...

DoctorNemesis 07.07.2006 · Read full review
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Review of I Am Legend - Richard Matheson

I bought this a month or so before the film came out, it's the beast read i'v ever had, captivating, imaginative, i loved it..................... can't say the same for the film though. GUTTED. ...

TezG 05.01.2009
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Review of I Am Legend - Richard Matheson

...of Richard Matheson's 1954 novel I Am Legend'. I'm evaluating the success of the adaption in a detailed analysis of the film. I'll also be looking at the contrasts between the adapted novel and Henry James's Washington Square'. The high budgeted picture stars Will Smith' (Hitch, The Pursuit of Happiness) and his daughter Willow Smith' in her first film alongside Alice Braga' (Trampolim, Journey to the End of the Night). Robert Neville (Smith) is ...
...with Robert Neville (Smith) and I found myself striving for him to find the viral cure and some means of civilization. The audience are teared through themes of honour, pride, passion, love, hate, determine, I felt as though I was close to shedding a tear many times throughout the film. Up until the very end of the film things got gradually worse for smith. For me the most sad but beautiful shot in the entire film is when 'Robert's' god 'Samantha' ...

kpotts 20.02.2008 · Read full review
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Review of I Am Legend - Richard Matheson