Rating: Summary: A Rock Solid Vampire Novel Review: Matheson's novel is every bit as solid, thought provoking and well written as what we expect from authors such as Bradburry or King (he certainly outshines the latter). I Am Legend is one of those sparkling moments in an otherwise dull genre. The protagonist is three dimensional. The story is rewarding to the end. And the prose is crisp and intelligent. Not to mention the most important demand of a horror book. It's really goddamned scary.
Rating: Summary: This Is How It's Done Review: If you love the vampire genre, you must read this book. The science is dated (it was written in 1954) but the story is amazing. Without question it has influence hundreds if not thousands of subsequent works. Read it.
Rating: Summary: An essential vampire novel Review: This novel was the basis for the movie, _The Omega Man,_ which I saw before I read the book. I like them both equally well, even though they don't have much to do with each other and have different endings. Matheson's novel is about a man, who may or may not be the last man on earth, who spends him time killing the vampires that most of the rest of humanity has turned into. I can't say much more than that without giving important things away. The ending, however, is memorable.
Rating: Summary: Timeless Review: Yes, this book is a timeless classic. Although written in 1954, it could have been written yesterday. Its a story that will grab you, and make you think about it for a long time afterwards. Its definitely a 5 star book, and one everybody should read. If you want to know why its called "I am Legend", you will just have to read it. Believe me, you wont be disappointed with it. I have seldom picked up a book that has made me rant to family and friends about how good it is - but this is one that I will happily rant on about. If you dont read anything else this year, make sure you have read this. Fantastic stuff!
Rating: Summary: This book is legand! Review: This awesome book spawned the entire end-of-the-world by undead genre, it is without a doubt a _must_read_. It's short, but a fun read. The loneliness of the main character is very tangible and his situation is rather scary. What I loved most about the book is the subtle commentary on those in power write history and how under one set of social rules you may seem like a hero while another set you are nothing more than a monster yourself.
Rating: Summary: i am legend Review: This book is magical from start to finish. I am legend is the main attraction and with much reason. the other stories are quite dull. all exept... PREY!!!!!!!!! Prey is the only scary short story that actually has made me freak out. Deffinately give both of these a read. 5 starts!!
Rating: Summary: This is one of the Horror greats. READ IT NOW! Review: First off: I read this in one sitting. I couldn't stop. I started to fear that vampires were surrounding MY apartment.Filmed twice and cited by many horror authors as a quintessential classic, _I Am Legend_ deserves every bit of this acclaim. This apocalyptic science-fiction take on the vampire engrosses from the first page until the 'anti-horror' conclusion that overturns the customary expectations of the horror novel. (It is similar to Jack Williamson's _Darker Than You Think_, which I also recommend.) Nudging in over 50,000 words in length, this novel is a perfect example of economy of storytelling. In another author's hands, this might have bloated into a five hundred page epic about the world under a vampire reign, but it would have utterly lacked the focus and passion that Matheson gives it. Matheson wrings heartbreak from simple human sequences, such as Neville's pursuit and attempt to rescue a mangy dog. Matheson has the unnerving power to find the emotional core of every scene through protagonist Robert Neville's struggle; you feel his loneliness, his shifts of despair and hope. Can't emphasize it enough: this is a liteary masterpiece.
Rating: Summary: Post-apocalyptic fiction at its best Review: I am Legend by Richard Mathenson stands out in the world of horror writing. While the story is only a novella, taking up roughly the first half of the book, I am Legend contains a huge amount of detail. It tells the story of a man who believes he is the last human left on a planet ravaged by vampires. Methodical in his methods, every day he hunts vampires in his neighborhood and gathers supplies, constantly searching for signs of life and encountering people he used to know in his former life, before they were transformed into vampires. I am Legend is a story that has a conclusive ending but still leaves you wanting more, showing that Matheson is truly a master horror writer. In addition to I am Legend, the book also contains short stories that Matheson has written. While not nearly the same caliber as Legend, these stories are both entertaining and well written. This book is one of the finest horror collections I have read since HP Lovecraft, and in a genre filled with mediocre work it stands out as a shining example of how good horror can be.
Rating: Summary: The greatest vampire story, period Review: A man alone in the world of vampires lives to learn what they are and what happened to the world. It is frightening, intelligent, touching and tragic. This story is much much bigger than its hundred pages. I can't stress enough how important this book is for the reader of horror. It truly defines what the vampire is and why. Absototalutely wonderful.
Rating: Summary: Haunting Adventure Review: I read this book after I found out it was the book that inspired George Romero to create a black and white classic Night of The Living Dead. This book contains I am Legends as well as some short stores. I have read all of them. The short stories in this book are not very interesting, and are not very sophisticated. The "I Am Legend" however is a gem. You follow the daily life a man who has barricaded his house from monsters who have once been the people he knew. What I liked the most is the vivid describtions of the man's feelings and thinking process as he goes through memories, books, and photographs. His encounters with the monsters are frightening. The ending and the explanation of what has really happened is the most unexpected part.
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