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Summary: Highly Original Twist On the Vampire Tale!
Review: This is one of those stories you just have to read to believe, and even then you question it. It being what was written, how it was written, and the originality of the story. This is in no way your traditional Vampire tale, very reminiscent of George Romero's Night of the Living Dead (although I think this story preceded the movie), except the monsters possess intelligence. The feeling of being alone is invasive on the reader and the whole thing is pulled off with an eerie, dark beauty. There isn't a happy ending folks, it is scary, it is a classic rendition of those fanged demons we all associate with long capes, coffins, and widow's peaks. It is the demonic offspring of that traditional view. And you leave the reading wishing to adopt that ugly child as your own. Essential reading for any horror fan.
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Summary: The Besieged Outcast
Review: Vampires are usually associated with supernatural or gothic fiction. "I Am Legend" was the first to go against this trend. In this novel Richard Matheson depicts vampirism as a disease and offers explanations for its symptoms.The main character is Robert Neville. He is the only normal man (from our point of view) left in the world, after a plague has turned everyone else into vampires. He spends his days growing garlic, making stakes, and killing every vampire he can find. At night he is a prisoner in his own home. He drinks himself into a stupor. He listens to classical music, which he plays to drown out the screaming vampires who gather outside his house. This is a good story because it delves into the mental anguish of isolation and the strength of human will. Even though the hero can never hope for a normal life he is determined to survive. "I Am Legend" has been filmed twice. Ten years earlier I saw the film "The Omega Man". If you really liked the novel you should probably avoid this film, as it bears only a slight resemblence to the book's storyline. For one thing, there aren't any vampires!
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Summary: Gave me chills all the way through
Review: I found this book on Amazon after I read that it was the inspiration for the Movie 'Omega Man' with Charlton Heston, which is one of my favorite flicks. I was summarily impressed to find out he is a favorite author of the greats like King and Koontz. I was not disappointed by it at all. It had a very thorough, yet concise writing style that is lacking in a lot of today's horror writers (Anne Rice comes to mind) and I couldn't put it down. If you want to see where it all started, here you go.
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Summary: One of the best written and most human horror stories ever..
Review: This is one of the very best genre novels ever written. Tension,pathos and atmosphere.I was deeply moved and engaged by the protagonist's plight and I emerged from the novel as if from a fever. Matheson describes a world of paradox and fear; delivering a complex milieu in less than 200 pages (and that takes true writing skill).The scenes with the dog hit me like a punch to the gut.Wow! PLEASE READ IT BY ALL MEANS.
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Summary: Back In Print After Several Years Absence
Review: I spent four years of my life searching for this book when most of Richard Matheson's works went out of print. I originally became a fan after putting together this prolific and influential writer's various pieces of fiction. From 'The Incredible Shrinking Man' to inspiring the movie 'Somewhere in Time' to his work on the TV show, 'The Twilight Zone', Matheson is a giant of speculative fiction. 'I Am Legend' offers a claustrophobic vision of the last man on earth and his daily battles against the vampire hoard who wish to consume him. Filled with some taught moments, the book drifts a little at points but it's the tangents that often become so compelling in Matheson's work. All in all, a wonderful read.
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Summary: If you read one vampire novel, ever, read this one.
Review: Many ppl will think of Richard Matheson along side of "What Dreams May Come" his more commercial successfull book made into a movie, but "I Am Legend" blows it away this is trully one of the best books ever written. Matheson writes Neville like he actually knows the loneliness of being the last man on the earth, i would have to say this book ranks up there with the Grandmasters, Heinlein, and Bester.
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Summary: Gripping from page one...
Review: I started this and could not put it down...I had to know what happened in the end. Matheson is one hell of an author. I got into the main characters head and felt the isolation and frustration he felt. I only was disappointed when it was over. I wanted to keep up the wild ride...EXCELLENT.
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Summary: I do not like to read but I loved this book.
Review: I do not read unless I have to but this was the best book I have ever read. The plot and setting was evidentaly thought through to a great extent. Richard Matheson goes into detail about the character and describes in detail the series of events that brought him to his present-day life.
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Summary: over-rated, but not unworth reading
Review: I Am Legend was compelling enough that I finished it at a moderate pace, but it wasn't as great as many people think. The story line, though probably impressive in the 50s, is a little simple by today's standards. Of the short stories that followed, two were great, a few were ok/good, and the rest were pathetic. If you are a true lover of the horror genre then this is a classic that you probably don't want to overlook, but it's not the greatest
Rating:
Summary: Worthwhile read, but not THAT great
Review: The book was ok, and I am sure is was much better during it's time of original release (it was originally published in 1954). The story is in it's way kind of simple, and much of the story is very traditional in it's vampire stereotypes. I have only read two of the stories (out of ten) that come after "I Am Legend" in the book, and I must say I am unimpressed in the extreme.
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