Rating: 
Summary: One of the eeriest ever
Review: Although ostensibly marketed as "science fiction," this novel is really more horror than anything else. And it's one of the best ever written, too. I read it I don't now how many years ago, and
it has stayed permanently etched in my mind. Matheson takes two cliches'--the last man on Earth and vampires--puts them together, and comes up with one of the most influential horror novels ever written. This time we have the last man on Earth being pursued by a planetful of vampires. And it is both vivid and eerie. If you're a fan of horror and science fiction, this is one of those "must read" books.
Rating:
Summary: I read this one in 1 sitting.
Review: Actually I just read I am Legend, and couple of the stories afterwards. But this book is well worth it for I am Legend alone. Fantastic--- I couldn't put it down. That hasn't happened to me in quite a while. Recommend strongly.
Rating: 
Summary: Legend ... But Why?
Review: Everyone gushes about this book, and I knew from past experience that Matheson is a gifted writer. So when I picked it up I was very excited. How disappointing that it turned out to be such a let down.Perhaps it is because the book was written so long ago, when the anti-hero was a tremendously popular concept. After so many years of war movies and westerns, the 70's saw a surge of anti-heroism. In the popular fiction, cops had psychology degrees and "cared" about criminals; soldiers froze up in combat scenarios; and in "I Am Legend", the last man on Earth is an impotent, alcoholic crybaby. Admittedly Robert Neville is in a terrible situation. The last man alive on Earth (apparently) he fights a vampire scourge during the day and cowers in his shelter at night. The book is rather well-written (although extremely repetitive), and keeps you interested, but mainly because you keep expecting something to happen. Then, suddenly, it's over - a surprise, particularly since the cover of the book makes no mention that "I Am Legend" is only one of several stories in this edition. It looks as if it will be longer than it is; then suddenly you're reading the last line. This really irritates me, because I despise anti-heroism. We see enough of it in every day life: people without the courage of their convictions, people falling into lockstep with popular thought, cowards hiding their faces. Why would anyone turn to escapist fiction to read about an anti-hero? Neville's collapse at the end is so pathetic that it made me cringe. He starts projects to leave them unfinished. He does a lot of research to discover the cause of the disease, but does nothing about it. He is in California, where there are several military bases stockpiled with weaponry - you can't tell me a vampire will survive a claymore explosion, or a .50 caliber shell. Yet Neville only owns a pistol and a submachine gun, weapons that he knows to be useless. The character never even thinks to go to the marina and get a boat, or to get a plane, or a helicopter to quickly get around. He's content to kill a few vampires each day, and spend the night drinking and repeating "Why me?". When the living come to get him, he stays in his house - not even fortifying his defenses. The lack of imagination and sense of fatalism from the main character is stifling. The reader spends 176 pages reading about a hermit who will just give up in the end. Again, I just don't understand. The man saw his wife die from the disease, buried her, then killed her again when she came back to life. He burned his own daughter. He tried to nurse a dog back to health, and it died. Where is his anger? Where is his sense of retribution, of ending the plague? Apparently buried in a bottle of whisky, a trite and tiresome cliche that seems to pervade most science fiction written by older authors. I read this book immediately after "The Man Who Fell to Earth" by Walter Tevis, yet another book about an alcoholic anti-hero. I need some escape from my escapist literature. Particulary aggravating are the late-story plot holes. The woman he meets is wearing bronzer, yet when Neville slaps her in the face and struggles with her, none of it comes off? He doesn't notice the distinct coolness of her skin? After three years of fighting vampires, he lets her in without so much as a valid test - even when she raises his suspicions by reacting to the garlic? I just don't understand why people find this book so satisfying. It takes an intriguing concept and does nothing with it. The only real pleasure I took from it was seeing the obvious influence of Matheson on Steven King (something King openly admits) - the pacing and internal narrative of this story are virtually identical to King's earlier works, particularly his Bachman Books. King, however, was a more gifted writer because he could take a story like this and give the reader the satisfaction of a hero. Now, in his older age, King is succumbing to the same problem that afflicted Matheson, Tevis, and countless other authors - a propensity towards maudlin writing and fatalism. Read it for the historical significance; read it to wash the bad taste of "Omega Man" from your mouth; but understand how unsatisfying the experience will be.
Rating:
Summary: Most excellent book
Review: Totally surprising, combines apocalypic setting with hordes of vampires. GREAT! Last half of book is short stories also. Good and fast read.
Rating:
Summary: A terrific novel about the last man alive and vampires.
Review: Richard Matheson,a writer of many horror and sci-fi novels brings a wonderful story of the last man alive fighting against vampires. Rovert Neville had a great life and a wife he loved very much.Well,one day all that was taken away from him,as a deadly plague hit the world causing everyone to die except for Neville.Later on,we find that Neville is not alone though.In the day time he spends his time scouring the streets and stores looking for what he needs and driving stakes through the vampire's hearts.Then,at night time,he retires to his home hiding from the vampires that went him badly.The vampires at night throw rocks at his house and call his name over and over again to try and get him out. The book almost makes you feel like your reading a Stephen King book.Once you start reading it,you won't want to put it down.Classic vampire novel right here.
Rating: 
Summary: I Am Legend
Review: I'm not sure how I heard about this book, but I sure love the title. It's intriguing. So I read the novella about the last man left on Earth who fights vampires every night, and really enjoyed it. I enjoy reading Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles, the series includes some of my all-time favorite novels, and I Am Legend, although much different, was effective at creating an atmosphere of dread and despair. The title comes into play on the very last page if I remember correctly, and the ending has stuck with me since I read the story a few months ago. Matheson's story is similar to a Stephen King story, and it is interesting to see how the main character survives every day in an empty world inhabited by vampires. I don't want to supply any plot spoilers, but the ending is fantastic, yet eery. Anyway, if you like vampires and a decent tale, then give it a try. Oh, the short stories included with the story are just OK.
Rating:
Summary: Lock The Windows and Doors
Review: If you haven't read this vampire novel, you need too. Richard Matheson wrote one of the most original, gritty horror tales ever with I Am Legend. I picked it up back in 1985, while working on a ranch in Wyoming for the summer. I read this dark, bump-in-the-night tale while sleeping in the bunkhouse, and at times found myself looking at the opened hay-loft doors and windows to see if a white, bloodless face was peering in at me. This is a gothic vampire tale placed in modern America and crouched in science. Robert Neville is the last human survivor after a plague has either killed everyone else (including his family) or transformed them into blood-lusting vampires. He now lives a barely sane life in a constant fight for survival, battling vampires, depression, and alchoholism. What he goes through is both heartbreaking and terrifying. And yet he portrayes mankind with all his weakness, and strengths, as he pulls himself up by the straps and begins teaching himself blood chemistry and medicine, in a heartfelt attempt to cure the vampires, and save his sanity. The novel is tightly written, filled with scenes that will raise the hackles and send your skin crawling. Try reading this one at night.
Rating:
Summary: A modern classic.
Review: Without a doubt, one of the most compelling novellas ( its very short, really) ever written. The plot is a tad unbelievable- a hideous disease has gone through the world, turning everyone to vampires, leaving the central character as sole survivor. During the night, you have the compelling and gripping scene of the central character locked up in his house, surrouded by crosses and garlic to keep the vampires out, while listening to classical music to drown out the sounds of them trying to get in.
During the day the central character is out with his stakes and mallets, doing the impossible task of staking as many as he can before the sun goes down again.. This is the essence of the plot. It is impossible not to idnetify and sympathise with the central character and ask yourself the question:" What would I do in this situation?". Written in taunt, crisp sentences the story carries itself admirably, although the ending, while memorable seems a bit abrupt. Aside from that, gentle reader, this is a great read, and one you will find impossible to put down. Like "The Stand" this is a rare blend of drama, horror, and "post Apocalypse" writting, and well worth your money. It will stay with you for days.
Rating:
Summary: my opinion
Review: this book is the best book i have ever read and i think that everyone should read this book and i bet all of you that you will love it forever once you have read the first chapter i give this book 5 stars because thats how much i love it i have never read a book that was better then this book one reason that i love this book is because he shoots the vampires in the face with the pistols and when he runs out of ammo he gives them blows to the heads with the handles of the pistols when i saw this book i knew it was the book for me i saw the cover it had alot of vampires so i thought this book would be about vampires and it was.So if you see this book at the librey rent it you wont regret it i promise.
Rating:
Summary: Almost Legendary
Review: Not quite all it could be...just settling down to enjoy a good novel that would hopefully last a week or so, and finished it in one night. Felt it had a lot more to offer, even though it did have a relatively satisfying ending. Brief, shocking and to the point, the story is luridly entwined around one man's stance against loneliness, and how he responds to unexpected development. Excellent scientific and biological descriptions of vampire anatomy, good characterisation and solid emotional descriptions, but once again, the tale winds down prematurely. Saddened that the second half of the book is filled with four-page long short stories that, although well written, would better serve as furthered chapters of the headline title.
Still waiting for more.....
| 
