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Summary: Matheson is GREAT!
Review: I usually shy away form vampire books. I've enjoyed other books and short stories he's written, so I gave it a try. It was wonderful! Included in this book is a collection of short stories as well. I have recently discovered that Richard Matheson wrote episodes of the vintage Twilight Zone series as well as books that were made into movies. The movie from the early eighties, Somewhere in Time was based on Matheson's Bid Time Return. What Dreams May Come was also written by Matheson. You can't go wrong with any of his books!
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Summary: One of the finest horror novels of all time.
Review: Robert Neville is Legend. And what a ride Richard Matheson gives in what is perhaps the finest vampire novel ever written. From the first page the reader is sucked into the nightmare that the protagonist lives through night after terrifying night. Richard Matheson's deft prose keeps the readers eyes glued to the pages, often way into the morning hours in a desperate attempt to find out what happens. And boy can he write. You will not find better storytelling anywhere. With the added short stories, especially Dress of White Silk, From Shadowed Places, and the sublime Person to Person, this is a justified purchase for fans of horror fiction. Highly recommended.
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Summary: Best Novel About Vampires!
Review: I have to say that this book was a pleasant surprise. A nice vacation from reading about the romatic vampire, or the postmodern vampire who is a rockstar and is far too effeminate to take seriously. Matheson's vampire is a filthy corspe who is not quick footed or witted and is basically a zombie only the passion is for blood and not brains. The struggle of the protagonist Neville is both heartfelt and realistic. A great book from beginning to end!
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Summary: Don't understand what all the hype was about......
Review: All I heard about was what a great vampire book this was, and while it wasn't terrible and was certainly well written, it lacked the oomph that todays vampire novels have. If you want to read about vampires I recommend the the truely poetic and literary writings of Anne Rice her Vampire Chronicals series, it leaves this one in the dust. All the Lestat book are great, but skip, Pandora, Blood and Gold and Armand and pick up again with Merrick and Blackwood Farms the latter is in my opinion her best novel yet! Also, Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Baker Vampire hunter is a great series, although not as literary.
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Summary: WHITE ZOMBIE!!!... no wait Richard Matheson
Review: This book was very interesting. Right from the get-go R. Neville explained his situation, and through the book he dropped details as to how the vampire "plague" came about. Eventually discovering for himself all possible methods of killing them (trial & error), and facts about their orgin. The weirdest part of the book is how it skips ahead months or even years at a time. I'm surprised the guy wasn't completely psychotic... being the last of his kind and all.
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Summary: One of the best books ever written
Review: I finished the book in two nights, its fairly short, but it is simply amazing, and then i found out it was written in the 50's, and that made it pure genius. I cannot believe Matheson could write something like this that long ago, it is one of the, if not the best books ever written, i suggest everyone reading this book.
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Summary: Legendary Horror
Review: Richard Matheson's "I am Legend" takes the traditional vampire novel (in this case, they've taken over the Earth) and combines it with the killer plague theme and tops it all off with a last-man-on-Earth scenario that is as compelling as it is frightening. Unlike many other 1950s sci-fi and horror novels, it has lost little of its impact.Protagonist Robert Neville lives in his barricaded house near Los Angeles. During the day he can move around, but at night the vampires surround his house and try to break in. He keeps them at bay, but at a terrible cost to his mental well being. In an effort to stave off madness, he begins to research was caused the vampire plague. He eventually discovers the truth, which then leads to a climax that is both electrifying and haunting. The novel itself is only 170 pages in length, and the length of this trade paperback edition has been doubled by the inclusion of a number of Matheson short stories. The shorts of of varying quality, but they do not detract from what is one of the best vampire novels ever written.
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Summary: Genius
Review: This book was one of the most amazing novels I have ever encountered. It was truly captivating from the first page to the last - I read the whole book in one sitting. The monologue is thought provoking, profound, yet realistic. Rather than taking the conventional route of fantasy vampire novels, Matheson takes a more scientific approach, as he explains the true vampire through an analytical approach. The plot is very believable, and the main character is very well developed. If you haven't already done so, BUY THIS BOOK NOW!
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Summary: Good book - yes. Scary - Not at all
Review: If you're looking for a book that will make you jump at odd noises you hear while reading it or make your mind wander to the shadows at night (is something there?)...this book will not do that (try reading Hell House by Masterson instead). However, it is an interesting read. The story kind of reminds me of the story premise of the comic book 'Blade', except that the main character is not half-vampire, but a vampire killer nonetheless. It's a short read and the ending is worth the hour or so read.
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Summary: Are these people crazy?!
Review: I'm not kidding, I truly think these people are crazy. I've just seen review after review describing how scary and suspenseful this book is. What a joke! It reads like a documentary that doesn't really go anywhere. I thought the book was very interesting. And if you want to someday write a horror book, maybe this book can give you some ideas. But it's not suspenseful and, now don't all start screaming at once, it's kinda boring. Sorry. But you start it, you read it, and it's over. No real ups or downs. And the ending: I guess it was supposed to be a big deal, but all I could think was, "Who cares?"
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