I Am Legend

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 Im not sure Will Smith was the right casting choice. Well 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.

As other reviewers have mentioned, the Kindle edition is missing some of the text from the book. This was obvious in the middle of Chapter 8 and it might explain some of the other issues I had with the story. One of these was that Richard Matheson stated there was more than one type of vampire early on in the story but I found it hard to understand from Nevilles point of view what the differences between them were. The story also jumps around a little and, while Ive seen this in other stories, I found it harder than usual to recognize when this was happening. This might have been the result of missing text. Having said all this, I recommend the novel which clarifies the title in a way that the Will Smith movie did not. The story could also be taken as a metaphor for the process that various groups, comfortable with having the majority, have faced when societal change leaves them in the minority. The book is not a difficult read although in a couple places, Matheson gets a little heavy-handed with his scientific knowledge or research. I read it in about a day.

Cant believe it took me this many years--make that decades--to finally get around to absorbing Mathesons quick-read mid-century masterpiece. In the realm of post-apocalyptic fiction, if any work deserves to be described as seminal, this is it. Its influence is clearly evident to this day in everything from The Walking Dead (particularly in the early-going, where a certain characters late wife comes back to haunt him from beyond the grave) to much of dystopian fiction. Never mind that its been made into a movie no less than three times (1964s The Last Man on Earth starring the oddly cast Vincent Price--a messy cheapie thats worth a look as the most faithful adaptation of the book and for its own influence on Romeros Night of the Living Dead; 1971s memorable The Omega Man, starring Charlton Heston in his post Planet of the Apes dystopian sci-fi martyr phase [see also: Soylent Green], whos perfect for the main character in many ways, though the film is drastically reconceived from the source material and frequently has the aesthetics of a made-for-TV movie, and most recently the years-in-production 2007 Will Smith version that retained the title, if little of the f flavor, though there were at least hints that some involved in the production had read the book). This is a book that earns its classic status for multiple reasons. While the Heston and Smith movies have always leaned into the apocalyptic action and away from the primal horror, Matheson crafts a sci-fi nightmare that would be better served by a mid-budget indie drama vibe than a mega-budget thrill-ride. I Am Legend is a meditative character study of dire loneliness and intense isolation, the madness and resourcefulness that can stem from such, and is possibly the first book to attempt a smart (pseud0)scientific explanation of the why of vampirism, presenting it not as spooky mysticism but a parasitic disease. I wouldnt be surprised if Max Brooks had that in mind when he wrote The Zombie Survival Guide and World War Z, where he provided the first credible description of what keeps the undead walking around Id ever read. Most of main character Robert Nevilles vampire-killing sprees are kept off the page, and he is not presented as a square-jawed superman defiant in the face of imminent death. Hes desperate, frightened, very close to broken, much more relatably the way you or I might react if his misfortune were ours. Hes also quick-witted and capable of adapting, even turning himself into an armchair scientist as he struggles to understand whats befallen the world. But what makes Legend a classic, the masterstroke of storytelling that sets it apart from so many similar and derivative stories, and that not one of the movies has even remotely done right (though theres an alternate ending to the Smith version that could have at least come close), is where Matheson and his protagonist land at the end. I wont spoil this sixty-something-year-old book for those that havent experienced it, but suffice to say it is a wise and surprising little twist still capable of giving you a few existential shivers all these long years later.

Wow, what a story, complete with an unexpected twist in the end.. I haven’t seen Will Smith’s movie of the same name, but it sounds like a typical Hollywood treatment of a story that already has two other movies based on it. To expect the MC of the book to behave like a heroic character in a 2007 movie does the book an incredible disservice. The MC has faced horrors enough to result in a major traumatic stress syndrome. To face the distinct possibility of being the last person on earth not affected by a bacteria which has turned everyone else into vampires- both the dead and a not quite living. These are not glamorous “Twilight” vampires, but more like the creatures from Bram Stokers novel, with similar powers and weaknesses. One or two are people Robert Neville, the main character, knew before they were infected. Now every night they gather outside his barricaded house and try to entice him outside. Initially, Robert drinks himself into oblivion every night. As the book progresses the things has gone through are revealed- I’ll try to avoid spoilers here, but the MC’s actions are understandable. He also is trying to figure out how the plague spread. Not a trained scientist, he makes use of daylight hours when the vampires are hiding from the sunlight to take books from the library and try to understand. He also actively seeks out the vampires who are weak and lethargic in the daytime and kills them, initially with wooden stakes which were mentioned in Brampton Stoker’s Dracula. The MC has an electric generator to power his home and especially keep food from spoiling. He also has a car which he keeps maintained so he can drive to half destroyed supermarkets for food, as well as ammunition. The vampires cannot be killed by bullets, but it slows them down when the MC is in a tight spot. I had to take a break from reading about halfway as the story is really intense. If you approach the novel as the original, written half a century before the movie of the same name, before Anne Rice’s novels and tough movie heroes who can handle almost anything, the MC becomes more understandable, having gone through the collapse of civilized society.

The book and the movie share only a few details in common. The most obvious shared attribute is the title. The differences are almost staggering; Los Angeles/New York, Caucasian male/African-American male, blue collar/white collar, etc. The story is roughly 160 pages long, although there are ten short stories that follow: Buried Talents, The Near Departed, Prey, Witch War, Dance of the Dead, Dress of White Silk, Mad House, The Funeral, From Shadowed Places, and Person to Person. If you are purchasing the book because you like the movie you may feel cheated that the movie is merely based on the book, rather than a direct cinematic interpretation. The book is a great (and a quick) read, told by the perspective of Robert Neville, a man feared to be the sole survivor of the human race. The beginning, however, seems to be drawn out and the word choice is less than sophisticated. Thankfully, as the story progresses so does the word choice. If you love stories based on the appeal of the last man, or on the decline of society, then this book would be to your liking. Matheson also takes a new spin on vampire lore, which was one of the reasons this book appealed to me (the other being that it was a required text for a class). Although better vampires stories exist, this book is worth the read for any vampire enthusiast and highly recommended.

Last night I finished reading I Am Legend and have to say: WHAT AN ENDING!! It is an incredibly original story because of the point of view from which Matheson chooses to narrate, to then turn the tables in the ending, leaving you every bit as astounded with the revelation as the main character is. When the movie came out a few years ago, I liked it; it was scary and I thought Will Smith had done an amazing job at supporting the movie by himself. Now, after reading the book, I will never look at it the same way. It totally misses what makes the book so incredibly original and it makes so many changes to the story that renders it almost unrecognizable. In sum, the film story doesnt hold a candle to the one of the pages. I have to say, though, the section where the main character is going through medical knowledge to explain himself the basis of the infection gave me a stomachache. If you follow me and my work, you know Im an MD. I dont know if the medical knowledge was that much far back in 1954, or if Matheson just picked and chose whatever he needed and made it fit the story, but I tell you: It was physically painful. Chances are, you arent as versed in Physiology and wont notice a thing, so by all means, dont let this detail keep you from reading such a wonderful story. I enjoyed the whole experience very much and was unable to put the book down from the moment I turned the first page. In my opinion, the story is a lot better thought out than Mathesons Hell House though the aforementioned has a richer vocabulary. I recommend it thoroughly and is now, among my favourite books ever.

I liked the story I Am Legend well enough, but its only the first 170 pages of this book. There are ten short stories after I Am Legend, half of which I gave one or two stars to. I gave the other short stories four or five stars. I Am Legend has been made into at least three movies that I know of. The Omega Man (1971) is my favorite version. The first movie, The Last Man on Earth (1964) had zombies that were too weak and slow moving to be believable and I Am Legend (2007) had zombies that were too strong and fast to be believable. They could crawl on ceilings like bugs, which was so unbelievable I laughed. Im always reading some good fantasy or science fiction. This month Im rereading my favorite five military sci-fi classics: Starship Troopers by Robert A. Heinlein (1959), The Forever War by Joe Haldeman (1974), Armor by John Steakley (1984), Enders Game by Orson Scott Card (1985), and Old Mans War by John Scalzi (2005). If you like reading try some of my favorite fantasy and sci-fi authors: Richard Adams, Palo Bacigulupi, Suzanne Collins, Abe Evergreen, Diana Gabaldon, Hugh Howey, George Martin, Brandon Sanderson, John Scalzi, and Andy Weir. If you’re looking for good stuff to watch consider miniseries like The Astronauts Wives Club (2015), Band of Brothers (2001), Frank Herbert’s Dune (2000), Frank Herbert’s Children of Dune (2003), Into the West (2005), Lonesome Dove (1989), Manhattan (2014-2015), Return to Lonesome Dove (1993), Pride and Prejudice (1995), Taken (2002) and The 10th Kingdom (2000), which are all terrific because they have clear beginnings that establish an objective, then strong middles and conclusive endings where the goal is achieved, like a good novel. Other shows I’ve really enjoyed include Battlestar Galactica (2004-2009), Breaking Bad (2008-2013), Cowboy Bebop (1998), Firefly (2002), Game of Thrones (2011-2019), Granite Flats (2013-2015), The IT Crowd (2006-2013), Jericho (2006-2008), Merlin (2008-2012), The Prisoner (1967-1968), Rome (2005-2007), Spartacus: Gods of the Arena (2011), Spartacus: Blood and Sand (2010), Stargate: SG-1 (1997-2007), Stargate: Atlantis (2004-2009), Star Trek (1966-1969), Star Trek Voyager (1995-2001), and The Tudors (2007-2010). I didn’t list any contemporary series I’m following that don’t have an end date yet, not conducive to binge watching from beginning to finish.

Im usually not one of those people that reads the book AFTER seeing the movie, but this was the case for this particular story. I seen the Will Smith version and was somewhat confused as not much was explained correctly. It was all too extreme with the way the movie portrays it. The book (or rather short story) is really a fascinating dive into the brain of the last survivor of a vampiric plague. It really makes you feel like that last person siting there, while reading in bed imagining Vampires bouncing bricks off your house. The different moods the main character goes through in his daily routine. Only thing I didnt like was the ending, but not for the reason that it ends, but that because after I flipped to the main page and continued reading 5-6 more pages before I realized I was reading ANOTHER short story. This cover makes no mention of short storys it just finishes the I am legend one and continues into another, and another, and another. So it left me confused if THAT was it? that was the ending? But then I got pissed off because I kept reading and was confused by other short stories. I cant say I really enjoyed the other ones tho, I bought this book for I am Legend.

I found it funny that some of these reviews called this suspenseful. This must be the first book theyve ever read because it is anything BUT suspenseful. I gave it 2 stars only because of the concept, not the actually story line and how it was written. You can sum this whole book up on a single page, double spaced, probably less...so Ill try. Neville barricaded himself in his house after everyone turned into vampires ***SPOILER*** by bacteria ***END SPOILER***. He worked on his house for a lot of the book, making it sound proof, etc., he ate through a lot of the book, and drank for even more of the book. He fought with himself and his thoughts (obviously since he was alone). He found a dog that wasnt affected by what was going on and had survived the vampires, so he lured it in for what seemed like an eternity ***SPOILER*** and then for it to die immediately after he brings this companion in to live with him ***END SPOILER***. The last chapter was the only one of any interest and I wont even include that in my summary because I hate people that ruin books by writing about how it ends (the rest of the spoilers Ive written are just from the front half of the book). It is interesting the thoughts and psychology behind the last chapter, and how the book came to be titled I am legend. It was the only good part, but when compared to other suspenseful books and thrillers, this ranked dead last for that. If you were a fan of the Will Smith movie I Am Legend, if you liked all the concepts in that and were looking for a book that was similar to that theme, definitely PASS ON THIS BOOK. There is only one chase scene where he gets a scare by being outside when it is getting dark and the vampires all come out (not even that late in the book either). There is next to no suspense, even with that chase scene. All he did was ride around the block, accidentally forget his keys in the car, have to run and get them as the vamps were getting closer, then get them and get inside. All this happened on what seemed like 2 pages on my kindle touch (so probably about a page long in the real book). I love scifi thrillers/suspense and this was anything but that. Definitely one of the worst vampire books Ive read so far...Id say it ranks worse than Twilight in terms of story line about the vampires (minus the teen love story in Twilight). I was bored with it and couldnt wait to finish it...luckily it was pretty short. This coming from a guy that read vampire books when he was younger (around 20 years ago, way before the vamp fad we see now days). This is anything but a vampire book IMO. It talked about blood sucking 1 time...ONE TIME. I cant even go on without spoiling it...the vampires were just stupid in this book...please, just find a different book to read. Idk what these other reviewers are smoking, but I want some if it can take a bad book like this and turn into something interesting.

Despite its vampire origins, this book originated many medical, zombie, dystopian thrillers. Robert Neville is alone. Very alone. Well, not completely alone. His family, friends, and neighbors have all come down with a bad case of vampirism. However, this sickness more closely resembles zombism (without the brain eating). The vampires have an intelligence much closer to (but slightly above) your typical walking dead. The story opens with the protagonist literally boarded up in his home, living off a generator and the food he manages to pilfer during daylight hours. Over time, he has managed to find a way to survive in a world where people (and sometimes animals) are dying of this strange disease that very closely resembles vampirism. Despite the best efforts of the world’s scientists, everyone had gone to rot except Neville (or so we think). So he has shored up his existence with a greenhouse full of garlic, strategically placed mirrors and the occasional Christian cross. All this helps to keep the relentless vampire apocalypse at bay during the wearisome nights. During the day, Neville makes repairs to his fortifications, hunts downed weaken vampires and dispatches them with wooden stakes and picks up supplies around the Los Angeles metropolitan area. The author brings a nice sort of thriller-suspense element to the table as he plays with this constant cycle of safety and danger as the sun rises and sets. The nights are where the fun begins. At sundown, Neville must be back home safe and sound or risk being overwhelmed by the masses. The vampires are not too strong physically, but at night they are at full strength and they come out in never ending swarms. Every single evening, Neville sits in his home stares at a mural of some nameless and beautiful landscape of a long forgotten time of yore and drinks himself into numbness at he listens to the vampires throw rocks at his windows and mirrors, beat on his walls and (in a particularly chilling way) call out his name. The author makes interesting leaps into scientific plausibility for this plague that has besot mankind. He mixes in classic vampire legend with microbiology and psychology. It’s a great mix for pleasing modern readers. The theories for how some of the vampire legends evolved from truth (like the chemical qualities in garlic scent being repellent to the vampire germ) and some are just psychological (the Christian vampires fear a cross because somewhere in their infected brains they have memories that tell them they should be). The main character is just a plant worker, an everyman. Yet, we follow along with him over the months as he educates himself with library books on how to learn about microbiology and test out theories and hypothesis on the vampires so that he can learn what happened and why its happened, and see if maybe he can change the course of things. He’s pretty much alone with a lot of time on his hand (in between vampire slayings), but it may be a bit of stretch given that he does have daily maintenance on his home/fortress to keep up and supplies to obtain (and there is nobody around to help him). Still these ideas of working science into legend really help to build up the mystery, suspense, and tension. They are also the precursor elements for many similar books to come. The true story is here. It’s not about vampires, zombies, or zombie-vampire hybrids. It’s about a man who thinks he’s the only person left in the world. Who has buried and reburied his loved ones. A man utterly broken and alone, fueled on fumes of whisky to carry out the primal instincts of his body. Survival. Some reviews may disagree, but the book has real strength here. We get inside this man’s head and really feel his struggle and his sense of hopelessness. We follow his ups and downs as little glints of hope dash past him and then are snatched away by the cruel reality of this dystopian world: his mind’s struggle with his body’s desire—the impetus of life. Of particular note, is Neville’s struggle with carnal temptation when the female vampires outside his house try to tempt him with their attributes of flesh, his spiral into deeper and deeper alcoholism and his violent lashings of frustration at the trappings of his environment. All of this is felt and related to the reader in a very compelling way. This, my fiends, is the heart of the story. The ending, which is a bit of a twist, sets a nice perspective on things. It’s dark and sort of unsuspecting. The author goes from spending a vast majority of the book, zoomed tightly and claustrophobically on a sole protagonist to suddenly panning wide and taking in a much broader view. Sort of inline with the Twilight Zone style that the author helped create when he wrote for that show. Podcast: If you enjoy my review (or this topic) this book and the movie based on it were further discussed/debated in a lively discussion on my podcast: No Deodorant In Outer Space. The podcast is available on iTunes or our website.