I am Legend

ISBN: 0-312-86504-X Order from: Amazon.com

This atmospheric, bleak novella is excellent at portraying a man under stress but presents a rather limited adventure and implausible science.

Genre: Science Fiction (Vampires, Post-apocalypse)

Synopsis: Robert Neville is extremely lonely. He lives by himself in a house with heavy shutters and reinforced doors. he goes out during the day, repairing the damage, and gathering new supplies. And every night, a crowd of his former neighbors try to get in, seeking his living blood...

Full Review: This book actually consists of the title novella, plus several short stories. The review covers only the novella.

I am Legend was first written in 1955, and it shows. It's excellent at portraying grim, fearful future and effect of incredible stress on a flawed human. It's rather weaker on science, however. The novella straddles the line between SF and Horror, with a scientific explanation for the events, but the emotional approach of the darker, less logical genre.

For the most part this works. Despite the main character being not entirely sympathetic, the reader comes to understand, and emphasize with a strong man whose world, personal and global, has come to an end. His inner battles parallel the physical struggles.

The major problem with this novel is the scope—an intentional choice of the author. The novel focuses so much on the protagonist, that the rest of the world is so lightly explored. What would have been an interesting exploration of world changes for a more typical Science Fiction serves as lightly sketched background for Richard Matheson's struggle.

At the end, the book is a skilled, fascinating, but far too limited example of a post-apocalyptic speculation.

Overall: 4.5; Plot: 4.5; Characters: 6; Style: 6; World-building: 6; Originality: 6;

ISBN: 0-312-86504-X Order from: Amazon.com