I Am Legend (1954 original; edició 2007)

My review of ‘I Am Legend’ is up on the John C Adams Reviews website now!

https://www.johncadamsreviews.com/single-post/john-c-adams-reviews-i-am-legend

#IamLegend #RichardMatheson #horror #vampires #JohnCAdamsReviews #JohnCAdams #WayBackWhensday #Review #Reviews #BookReview #BookReviews ( )

(58) Many years around Halloween, I pick a horror novel to read, preferably one with some literary merit. This had been sitting on my shelf for quite some time so I finally took the plunge. What I did not realize is that this was written in the 1950's, number 1, and number 2 - at least in my book there are several other unrelated short stories though nowhere does it mention that this is a collection.

The main story is about vampires and a plague - the main character was bitten by a vampire bat when he was in the service and seems to be immune to the pestilence. He is alone, trying to survive in a world of the infected dying and the undead who are out for his blood. Meanwhile, he sets out to destroy them. It is quite well-written and evocative, yet fairly spare prose.

Now that I have read I can see how so many other horror writers and screenwriters have got their inspiration from him. Stephen King's 'The Stand' now seems just a bloated (very bloated) version of 'I am Legend.' I seem to recall another horror movie about a evil doll that comes to life and kills its owners as well.

In the end though I would say the whole collection was just above average. I was not chilled or frightened or particularly moved. While I liked 'I am Legend' I really didn't enjoy the other short stories and had read several of them before I realized we were not going back to the main story and that they were entirely unrelated. Then I just wanted the book to be over and I almost skimmed through the remaining short stories.

I will go find the Will Smith movie though. While I stand by my accusation that Stephen King's work is derivative, I have to say though - 'Salem's Lot' is much more terrifying. Read that instead if you are looking to be totally frightened. ( )

This was a slog for me. Very boring book. ( )

I decided on this book because I love the Will Smith movie. (I know many people will cringe reading that!) While this wasn't a terrible book, it wasn't anything like I was expected. I'm not sure why the producer of the movie completely changed the premise of the story, I would like to see an I am Legend that is just like this was written. ( )

Fantastic! Wonderful book. Matheson's pacing of the story worked perfectly for me. I could have read the book in one sitting easily but there is work to be done!

A FEW WORDS FOR THE MOVIE(S) FANS - After you read this book you will easily see why the movies are terrible. I honestly have no idea why they couldn't have filmed this book the way it was written. If you are apprehensive about reading this book because you have seen any (or all) of the movies. Don't be. Just do it.
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