I Am Legend
Ratings400
Average rating3.9
15
Ratings400
Average rating3.9
Neville is essentially the last man on earth, and the loneliness of his situation is the central part of the story. Matheson is able to communicate Neville's emotional feelings vividly, making him very real. We gradually acquire the story of the deaths of Neville's wife and daughter, essentially experiencing the pain he goes through when these memories overcome him. We watch him drink himself into a stupor as each night finds him besieged in his fortified house, surrounded by vampires, including his old friend and neighbor, calling for him to come out. We watch him slowly lose his grip on sanity and come very close to giving up.
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Reviews with the most likes.
The “vampire” novel that inspired all of the zombie stories of our culture. But mostly it's about loneliness and the things people will do to survive, even if it seems there's really nothing to live for. A great, fast read.
When the movie came out, I couldn't help but hear people comparing it to the book. I hadn't realized the book was much more of a short story than a full novel. The movie touches on a number of even more emotional deep moments, including the inclusion of the dog. The book much more humanizes the vampires, as well as going deeper into the science side of things. By having a main character who also isn't a scientist, it helps show the passage of time more as he learns what he needs to learn. The endings are of course drastically different – even from the alternate ending.
An amazing read. The author creates an atmosphere that really pulls you in.
WHAT
A very short psychological horror story about the last man alive in a post-apocalyptic monster dominated world. By day Robert Neville hunts vampires while they sleep, by night he hides in his house, fearing for his life and his sanity. His greatest battle is an inner one, against feelings of depression brought down by loneliness and the knowledge that things are not going to get any better.
TLDR
- too short to be considered a proper novel
- not a fan of horror stories: reliance on emotions and ambiance over an intricate plot
+ involving narrative
+ sorta interesting ending
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