It was also an inspiration behind night of the living dead. Lots of my guy friends that dont get scared easily said it was really scary so i was wondering if it is or not. As richard mathesons third novel, it was first marketed as science fiction for although written in 1954, the story takes place in a future 1976. Stream and download audiobooks to your computer, tablet or mobile phone. Film critics noted that the british film 28 days later 2002 and its sequel. I am legend is a 2007 american postapocalyptic thriller film based on the 1954 novel of the same name by richard matheson.
Abbey, the dog from i am legend, is now and living her. I am legend is named vampire novel of the century horror books. Stephen king said, books like i am legend were an inspiration to me. Positive i am legend 2007 i really have grown over time to understand the deeper point in i am legend. With will smith, alice braga, charlie tahan, salli richardsonwhitfield. In this film, a plague has killed most of humanity and transforms the rest into monsters. I am legend and millions of other books are available for instant access. I am lege nd is a 2007 american postapocalyptic thrille r fi lm based on the 1954 novel of the same name by richard matheson. Author richard mathesons 1954 horror and science fiction novel, i am legend, originated the zombie genre in both fiction and movies. I wish there was something more positive to say, but ive got nothing. Years ago, you see, my husband had wanted to talk about the book, probably when the most recent adaptation to movie form had come out, and i am well known for not reading horror, so it wasnt an unreasonable assumption that i would never read this. Created by the original team behind sparknotes, litcharts are the worlds best literature guides.
Guess ill just have to wait for them to actually make i am legend. The story is very much darker and deeper than the will smith film of the same name. Years later, smith, who plays robert neville, is the only survivor and is struggling to find a cure. He was named a grand master of horror by the world horror convention, and received the bram stoker. It is not made clear on the front of the book, or anywhere that this is a collection of short stories, not a novel. Its as if the screenwriters or director, or producer ran out of ways to wrap it up. I am legend is a post apocalyptic vision by richard matheson, created in 1954 it tells the story of robert neville, the last surviving human in the world, surrounded by bloodthirsty vampires both living and undead. Apr 03, 2012 i am legend is named vampire novel of the century. Before i am legend, zombie meant a person hypnotized by voodoo magic, but after, thanks to the book and romeros film, it was more commonly associated with global pandemics and resurrected corpses. Aug 01, 2007 listen to i am legend, and other stories audiobook by richard matheson. The movie took all the intelligence out and just made it about the action.
Years after a plague kills most of humanity and transforms the rest into monsters, the sole survivor in new york city struggles valiantly to find a cure in this postapocalyptic action thriller. I am legend and other stories audiobook by richard matheson. I am legend study guide from litcharts the creators of. Richard matheson 192620 was the new york times bestselling author of i am legend, hell house, somewhere in time, the incredible shrinking man, now you see it, and what dreams may come, among others. But i went into reading i am legend knowing the ending, knowing the twist. There are two camps when it comes to discussing the issue of race in mathesons book. But if you have only seen that will smith movie that went 180 degrees on the book s message, the soulcrushing impact of these words will be lost on you. I picked it up mostly because i read about the alternate ending of the will smith movie, which some criticized for not following the spirit of the book. The year is 1976one year after a deadly plague sweeps the world, killing virtually all human beings. Listen to i am legend, and other stories by richard matheson. Blending aspects of horror within a science fiction setting, the book is based in the relative future of 1976 but apart from the date there are no. But, i am beginning to suspect that it is a highly individualized thing. I am legend is named vampire novel of the century books.
Overall, i am legend is a poorly executed attempt to update mathesons original, slightly outdated, horror novella. In fact, the movie asks the question, does god still loves us. I am legend 2007 the basics hopefully all of you know the basic story behind i am legend. Or perhaps the film simply doesnt have the same nuances as the richard matheson book on which its based. I am legend is the story i bought the book for, and it doesnt disappoint its much, much better than the movie, more thinky, more intriguing in its twists and turns, and ultimately creepier and scarier. Part of the gollancz sf masterworks collection, the novel has received critical acclaim from many authors. In my edition of i am legend, brian lumley is quoted saying a long time ago i read the book, and i started writing horror at about the same. A good story, audio book performance or audible app had some strange pauses this audio book has i am legend and also number of other short stories. For me, i am legend, was not at all scary, but a very sad booka look at the human condition, at a man trying to survive his own loneliness. I still remember the exact moment i started and finished this book nearly. I am legend, and the everevolving vampire the writers. Tim the book plotline is so different from the movie, i didnt really have a hard time with it.
The movie that was too scary for baby james duration. This man, our protagonist in both the book and film, is robert neville. Theres lessons to be learned about mob behavior and respect for minorities. First, i will say that i really enjoy this movie as a whole. A concise biography of richard matheson plus historical and literary context for i am legend.
I am legend is a novel by richard matheson in which robert neville struggles to survive as the sole remaining human in a world overrun by vampires robert neville is the only. I am legend is a 1954 postapocalyptic horror novel by american writer richard matheson that. And, it is a story of how one man regains his faith in god to make a sacrifice for the whole human race. The oneoff prize was dreamed up by the horror writers association in conjunction with the stoker family estate to mark the centenary of dracula. Fastforward to current day when i read the book i am legend which the movie. I am legend is a 2007 american postapocalyptic science fiction horror film directed by francis lawrence and starring will smith. The novel was a success and was adapted into the films the last man on earth, the omega man, and i am legend. It says completed so i hope theres a book 2 or something. I am legend is based on richard mathesons 1954 book, which has been the source material for all sorts of sciencehorror movies, and written. I am legend summary from litcharts the creators of sparknotes. In i am legend, a plague has decimated the world, and those unfortunate enough to survive are transformed into bloodthirsty creatures of the night. Still, you cant fault i am legend for trying to be different from the typical action thriller. To ask other readers questions about i am legend, please sign up. While roberts isolation becomes the core issue of the novel, it would be foolish to forget that subhuman creatures hunt neville on a nightly basis.
I am legend is atypical for the horror genre in that the monsters take a back seat to the psychological horror of the protagonist. He was named a grand master of horror by the world horror convention, and received the bram stoker award for lifetime achievement. One of the most influential vampire novels of the 20th century, i am legend regularly appears on the 10 best lists of numerous critical studies of the horror genre. I am legend and other stories by richard matheson goodreads.
I am legend author richard matheson was himself a real legend. After their deaths, the worlds human beings rise from the grave and become vampires. Its based off i am legend, a fantastic book by richard matheson, written in 1954. Seriously, every time i see him, he always has a new book for me to check out. I am legend is a 1954 postapocalyptic horror novel by american writer richard matheson. The novel has been made into three movies, including omega man 1971 and i am legend 2007. Jul 09, 2018 i am legend reinvented the vampire, and inspired future writers and film makers, such as, stephen king, and george romero saperstein. Dec 30, 2014 adapted from acclaimed author richard mathesons influential novelette of the same name, constantine director francis lawrences i am legend follows the last man on earth as he struggles to. The book is often credited as the first modern vampire. So, first off, for all those supposed horror movie book, zombie or vampire fans. Dec 14, 2017 i am legend is about a zombielike horde wiping out much of humanity, but its confusing ending becomes clear if you understand the personal journey of its hero.
I am legend, in my opinion, is one of the greatest sci fihorror novels of all time. Directed by francis lawrence, th e fi lm stars will smith as us army virologist robert neville. He was named a grand master of horror by the world horror convention, and. Influencing great modern horror writers like stephen king, its one that will stick with you. It is the third featurefilm adaptation of richard mathesons 1954 novel of the same name, following 1964s the last man on earth and 1971s the omega man.
The first says, man, its just a badass vampire book. Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read. Directed by francis lawrence, the film stars will smith as us army virologist robert neville. I am legend is based on richard mathesons 1954 book, which has been the source material for all sorts of sciencehorror movies, and written way before we were scared of airplanes flying into. Welcome to the litcharts study guide on richard mathesons i am legend. The monsters arent scary, the effects are painful, and the story convoluted. It was influential in the development of the zombievampire genre and in popularizing the concept of a worldwide apocalypse due to disease. Every other man, woman, and child has become a vampire. Jun 04, 2011 but when it comes down to it, is the book really better than the movie. Sep 17, 2018 i am legend may have been one of several films that helped will smith prove his salt as a dramatic actor in the mid to late2000s making up something of a canon with the likes of the pursuit of. I am legend is brilliant commentary and society and human relationships and, really, the very definition of humanity. What is horrific to one individual may not be to another.
An excellent collection of mathesons short works, including the novella i am legend. Dec 24, 2008 by introducing other worlds, his dark materials pushes forward reveals from the books too quickly in the idea of north the world according to jeff goldblum is precariously close to too much jeff goldblum. Im not that great with scary movies so i wanna know if its really scary before i see it. The actors are honestly the best choices for this story. Sep 06, 2012 last night i finished reading i am legend.
Oct 28, 2017 official music video for scary book, a new rap song by zackscott. If you like i am legend you are looking for atmospheric, suspenseful and exciting movies about with apocalypse, survival, zombie, post apocalypse, future dystopia, loneliness and plague themes of drama, scifi and thriller genre shot in usa. Now for a topic thats neither divisive nor prone to eliciting irrational anger and awkward discomfort. This onepage guide includes a plot summary and brief analysis of i am legend by richard matheson.
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