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A review by ruthypoo2
I Am Legend by Richard Matheson
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? It's complicated
5.0
This story is a sharp character study of how one person struggles to survive a world in which they find themselves the only living human, surrounded by others who've succumbed to a virus or disease that's made them like vampires... staying indoors during the day, repelled by garlic and maybe crosses, and roaming the streets at night often in a state of frenzy having attacked and killed the living and continuously returning to the house where the story's main character, Rober Neville, lives. The story begins with Neville a few months into the vampire plague, having acclimated himself to a ritual dictated by the habits of the threatening vampires and designed to fortify his dwelling and safe enclosure.
The first half of the story puts the reader in the mindset of Neville, going through his daily activities to find sustenance, supplies, and maintain his home. In addition, he also goes out into the community finding the slumbering vampires to kill them and throw their bodies into a fire pit, which has been determined as the only way to ensure they cannot return walk the earth. For much of the first half of the book, Neville struggles with loneliness and carnal desire, and facing a gradual mental unraveling. The story does an excellent job of portraying the monotony of day-to-day life as Neville tries to stay sane and find a potential cure for the vampire plague. His time has some peaks but is mostly about how he adheres to a strict schedule in order to survive.
In the second half of the book, as time has progressed, emotions and actions increase when Neville encounters another human being and dares to imagine there could be a future less bleak than the life he's been living for a number of years. However, being a survivalist, Neville questions if the solitary existence he's come to accept is worth risking if he decides to take a chance on the possibility of human companionship.
The author, Richard Matheson, does a stellar job creating the turmoil and fractured mindset of someone who may be the last living human alive. Though it's very small, the world building in the story is stark and desperate and easy to imagine as the outcome after a plague will have decimated the earth's population of living creatures. Matheson conveys multiple layers to Neville's personality, which is understandably a little off kilter but still exudes a will to survive in spite of the struggles he experiences. The book has a really good story arc that's engrossing as and gives the reader someone to root for from beginning to end.
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator, Robertson Dean, did a fantastic job embodying the mind and soul of Robert Neville. Mr. Dean was just the right voice for this character and managed to exactly characterize the various mental avenues Neville goes down in his valiant effort to stay alive and stay sane... one day at a time.
The first half of the story puts the reader in the mindset of Neville, going through his daily activities to find sustenance, supplies, and maintain his home. In addition, he also goes out into the community finding the slumbering vampires to kill them and throw their bodies into a fire pit, which has been determined as the only way to ensure they cannot return walk the earth. For much of the first half of the book, Neville struggles with loneliness and carnal desire, and facing a gradual mental unraveling. The story does an excellent job of portraying the monotony of day-to-day life as Neville tries to stay sane and find a potential cure for the vampire plague. His time has some peaks but is mostly about how he adheres to a strict schedule in order to survive.
In the second half of the book, as time has progressed, emotions and actions increase when Neville encounters another human being and dares to imagine there could be a future less bleak than the life he's been living for a number of years. However, being a survivalist, Neville questions if the solitary existence he's come to accept is worth risking if he decides to take a chance on the possibility of human companionship.
The author, Richard Matheson, does a stellar job creating the turmoil and fractured mindset of someone who may be the last living human alive. Though it's very small, the world building in the story is stark and desperate and easy to imagine as the outcome after a plague will have decimated the earth's population of living creatures. Matheson conveys multiple layers to Neville's personality, which is understandably a little off kilter but still exudes a will to survive in spite of the struggles he experiences. The book has a really good story arc that's engrossing as and gives the reader someone to root for from beginning to end.
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator, Robertson Dean, did a fantastic job embodying the mind and soul of Robert Neville. Mr. Dean was just the right voice for this character and managed to exactly characterize the various mental avenues Neville goes down in his valiant effort to stay alive and stay sane... one day at a time.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Mental illness, and Violence
Minor: Animal death and Death