Do not be put off by the fact that the Charlton Heston film The Omega Man was loosely based on this novel: while the film was so-so, this book is absolutely brilliant. You would need to have a present-day biology high school education to spot the flaws in the explanation (namely that bacteriophages are in fact protein coated viruses that attack bacteria and not just protein assemblages).Ī short novel yes - so once again proving that size is not everything (publishers note) - Matheson's classic deserves shelf space on all serious SF enthusiasts shelves.
This largely stands up even after half a century. Richard Matheson has not only crafted a thoroughly gripping tale, he has sought to provide a science fictional rationale as to how the vampires came into being and for him being the sole survivor). At night they surround his house seeking a way in. Safely ensconced in his house-turned-fortress at night, Neville emerges during the day to scavenge supplies and hunt down vampires. The plot revolves around a lone survivor of an epidemic that has turned the World's population into vampires. Matheson gives vampires the hard SF cum new wave treatment. I am Legend has been previously touted as the best vampire book since Dracula and I can assure you that such claims are not pure hype.
This is (not surprisingly) tied in with the release of the Wil Smith starring film of the same title.
Double congratulations in that there is now also a 2007 edition from Gollancz, which is also part of Orion. Once again, congratulations for Millennium's (part of Orion) SF Masterwork series reprinting of this gem of a classic in 1999 after nearly half a century. Review of Richard Matheson's I Am Legend - book and films Science Fiction Review
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