I am Legend - Richard Matheson

I am Legend was written in 1957 by Richard Matheson and has widely been regarded as one of the more intrepid and innovative vampire stories written this century. Indeed, it's popularity was spurred by a recent film adaptation of the book (although not much like the book at all) and I must say, this is why I myself picked up the book. Brief synopsis: Robert Neville is the last man on earth but he is by no means alone as the rest of the world is inhabited by vampires. The book focuses closely on the psychological state of Robert and the effects solitude has on humans. As well as this insight, there is a plot running through based on the premise is that Robert ...  Read the complete review

Whe i saw the trailor i was intrigued. I like zombie movies, especially ones like 28 days later. However i had heard mixed reviews on how this one was. From most of my friends i had heard it was an enjoyable film, from the critics i heard the book was better. Seeing as i like to read, i thought I'd give the book a try first. Im pleased i did. This is the story of the last man alive as he struggles to keep the vampires at bay who have comsumed the world. Its not a great book, or a very long one. At 160 pages i managed to finish it in a day. It touches on some interesting points on living by yourself for so long, and how this can affect your health ...  Read the complete review

I loved Will Smith in I Am Legend so as soon as I realised it was based on a book I ordered myself a copy from Amazon keen to revisit the adventures of Robert Neville. I Am Legend was written by Richard Matheson in 1954, it had completely passed me by until last year but now I've read it I consider it to be a classic horror read which has carried itself 50 years into the future with surprising ease. Even the cover is frightening; full of zombies which appear to be reaching out for you, this is one case where you should judge a book by its cover because the revulsion you will feel at the picture on the front of the book is carried through to the novel and ...  Read the complete review

The Vampire myth has been written about for centuries. Bram Stoker's 'Dracula' was its breakout moment, but the myths existed before this. Today there are copious amount of books on the subject from straight forward horror, to romance or detective fiction. Back in 1954 Richard Matheson wrote his own take on what vampires are and rather than discuss them as supernatural beings, he tried to explain them in terms of scientific fact - how could beings adverse to light, garlic and crosses actually exist? The recent film adaptation inspired me to read the original text and I am glad that I did because it showed the qualities that make good science fiction. Qualities that ...  Read the complete review

Robert Neville can hear them outside once again. Night after night they torment and tease him. "Come out Robert we have something to show you", the women say. "Scared", mocks his old friend Ben Cortman. Both he knows and they know he is probably the last human alive. Isolated and alone in a world of vampires he continues his nightly routine of Beethoven and alcohol until daylight comes when he can search the town in safety and purge it of a just a few of his tormentors. "I am Legend" by Richard Matheson is an accomplished post-apocalyptic novel made all the more impressive by the fact it was first published back in 1954. ...  Read the complete review