I AM Legend
Richard Matheson
This novel held my attention from beginning to end. I’ve always wanted to write a book from the serial killers perspective and here it is. He is the legend, the one the rest of the world’s inhabitants fear. He is the thing that goes ‘bump’ in the night while he seeks out the sleeping vampires to kill in their sleep.
Matheson packs emotion throughout this story when he shows a harsh world and the only survivor. He describes his loneliness and lack of emotion when he travels through the desolate city and takes the ‘lives’ of its vampire inhabitants.
Many years ago I watched Omega Man and was fascinated with its theme. At the time, I didn’t realize that it was based on this novel. I believe that Night of the Living Dead is also derived from this story. Many of the post Apocalyptic stories use this novel as a springboard.
By far, this is a truly brilliant story told with intensity and emotion. It tops my list for must reads.
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I'd like to know more about what you thought of the monsters, how they were written and whether they were effective to you or not.
ReplyDeleteThe monsters in this story the monsters were victims of circumstance, which gave them credibility but also evoked sympathy. The reader could also feel compassion for virologist Robert Neville as he tries to discover a cure for humanity. This book gave us a glimpse into a possible future when 'Man's inhumanity to man' finally succeeds in wiping us out.
ReplyDeleteThe thing that makes this story good for me is how Matheson nails the loneliness of Neville. There is a short story in the collection "He is Legen" that tells the story from the vamps POV.
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