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samwisepotatogamgee's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
3.75
Richard Matheson’s I Am Legend is a gripping and atmospheric tale of survival, isolation, and humanity's struggle against an unimaginable threat. The novel deftly blends horror, science fiction, and psychological tension as Robert Neville, the last man on Earth, faces a world overrun by vampiric creatures. Matheson’s prose is lean yet powerful, immersing the reader in Neville’s desolate existence, while also exploring deeper themes like loneliness, fear, and what it means to be human.
The book shines in its world-building and the way it slowly unravels the scientific mystery behind the vampiric plague. Neville’s internal conflict is also compelling, as he vacillates between despair and a stubborn will to survive. The atmosphere is eerie and claustrophobic, and the tension builds steadily as the story progresses.
However, the pacing can feel a bit slow at times, particularly in the middle sections, as the plot focuses heavily on Neville’s day-to-day survival routines. That said, the philosophical undertones and the haunting ending more than make up for any slower moments.
Overall, I Am Legend is a thought-provoking and chilling classic, a must-read for fans of dystopian fiction and psychological horror.
The book shines in its world-building and the way it slowly unravels the scientific mystery behind the vampiric plague. Neville’s internal conflict is also compelling, as he vacillates between despair and a stubborn will to survive. The atmosphere is eerie and claustrophobic, and the tension builds steadily as the story progresses.
However, the pacing can feel a bit slow at times, particularly in the middle sections, as the plot focuses heavily on Neville’s day-to-day survival routines. That said, the philosophical undertones and the haunting ending more than make up for any slower moments.
Overall, I Am Legend is a thought-provoking and chilling classic, a must-read for fans of dystopian fiction and psychological horror.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Death
bgmylc's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Child death and Suicidal thoughts
_forestofpages's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
It's usually difficult for me to enjoy a classic, but this one was right on the money. I enjoyed the slow build, the internal monologues of our main character. Robert Neville, the regular guy who just so happens to be the last human on earth surrounded by blood sucking fiends.
It was painful and lonely and twisted reading this book. And I honestly enjoyed every minute.
It was always fascinating even when nothing was happening. I don't think this book is for everyone, it's slow and deliberately so. It's also very heavily focused on one man constantly wishing he was dead or that he could find other people, which may be boring to some.
But the real themes about loneliness at the end of the world, being faced with insurmountable odds and horrors most people could not imagine and the ways a person can change even when faced with such adversity, was incredible. And that last line hit me like a truck.
/The fact there were no real vampires was a bit of a disappointment, but I really enjoyed the explanations and the science Neville discovered.
It was painful and lonely and twisted reading this book. And I honestly enjoyed every minute.
It was always fascinating even when nothing was happening. I don't think this book is for everyone, it's slow and deliberately so. It's also very heavily focused on one man constantly wishing he was dead or that he could find other people, which may be boring to some.
But the real themes about loneliness at the end of the world, being faced with insurmountable odds and horrors most people could not imagine and the ways a person can change even when faced with such adversity, was incredible. And that last line hit me like a truck.
/
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Animal death, Violence, Murder, and Alcohol
Minor: Self harm
revonue's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Violence
mjones14's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I much preferred the second half of this book and actually the ending is better than the film. That being said, this book is unfortunately a victim of its age. It's views on women are misogynistic at best, and doesn't have the best grammar. Gave a high rating due to the end
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Misogyny, Grief, Murder, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cannibalism
Minor: War
authorannafaundez's review against another edition
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Weird book. Interesting ending.
Sometimes the book was sexual in a creepy, very uncomfortable way. The MC thinks about/considers sexual assault way too many times. The book treats sex as if it's entirely necessary for human male survival and that an adult has difficulty controlling himself, which . . . 1954 writing, I guess. It's not a good look. Didn't age well.
The science aspect is super far-fetched, which is sometimes OK. Suspension of belief is necessary for sci-fi and fantasy. But how fast Neville learns the science terminology is unbelievable with how specific the book gets. And that extreme specificity is where the problem is. Knowing words and general info is one thing, but true comprehension, study and experimentation is another. Either more mistakes needed to be made or more uncertainty about his theories would help that, I think. A simple time skip with a basic overview of what happened would have also been beneficial.
And then, when there finally was a time skip, it glossed over every single advancement/mistake/learning opportunity and ran straight for the plot, abandoning character growth.
Side note: I hope the movie I Am Legend (2007) said it was "inspired by" and not "based on" the 1954 novel. Because this book and that movie are different at their cores and by plotline.
Sometimes the book was sexual in a creepy, very uncomfortable way. The MC thinks about/considers sexual assault way too many times. The book treats sex as if it's entirely necessary for human male survival and that an adult has difficulty controlling himself, which . . . 1954 writing, I guess. It's not a good look. Didn't age well.
The science aspect is super far-fetched, which is sometimes OK. Suspension of belief is necessary for sci-fi and fantasy. But how fast Neville learns the science terminology is unbelievable with how specific the book gets. And that extreme specificity is where the problem is. Knowing words and general info is one thing, but true comprehension, study and experimentation is another. Either more mistakes needed to be made or more uncertainty about his theories would help that, I think. A simple time skip with a basic overview of what happened would have also been beneficial.
And then, when there finally was a time skip, it glossed over every single advancement/mistake/learning opportunity and ran straight for the plot, abandoning character growth.
Side note: I hope the movie I Am Legend (2007) said it was "inspired by" and not "based on" the 1954 novel. Because this book and that movie are different at their cores and by plotline.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Violence
Moderate: Death, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Animal death, Child death, Gun violence, and Rape
levanthium's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Child death and Misogyny
Minor: Rape and Sexual assault
refrejarator's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
The science still holds up at some points which is pretty cool. Interesting take on vampires, but uncomfortably dated (views of the 50s in regards to women and POCs).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Blood, and Alcohol
Moderate: Animal death, Child death, Death, Gun violence, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Cannibalism, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic
POCs referred to as 'Negroes' and not named, only occurs in one chapter. Followers of Islam are referred to as Mohammedans. Jews and Judaism are also mentioned, but no derogatory comments made. Main character is tempted to SA/rape women, including comatose/sleeping/undead women. This is mentioned several times.tdkard28's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The development of the character of Robert Neville, as told by Matheson, is an intense case study of what isolation, desperation, and necessity can do to someone. The character he becomes is unexpected for anyone who hasn't read the story yet, and easily prompts for another read so you can see everything with the end in mind. Side note: This is nothing like the 2007 movie. Do not expect the same story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Blood
Minor: Sexual content