We Read Science Fiction

A good friend and regular reader here gave me a copy of Richard Matheson’s I Am Legend this summer and urged me to read it soon. This 1954 novella is largely credited with starting or significantly revolutionizing a number of fiction sub-genres — namely, the modern vampire, zombie and disease-induced apocalypse genres. Though I’d contest the last one and say that George R. Stewart’s Earth Abides in 1949 is a much better example of the diseased apocalypse, I can see how I am Legend could have easily started the modern Vampire and Zombie sub-genres.

Summary: Skip the movie adaptations since they are terrible by comparison to this little gem of a book. In a mere 180 pages Matheson manages to cram in some excellent characters, a brilliant story and even some compassion for vampires and zombies. Excellent, a 4/5.

This novel has been adapted three times into movies, and you can see the breakdowns and history of each on the corresponding I Am Legend Wikipedia page. After reading this novella I quickly rented and watched 2007’s adaptation starting Will Smith, and while the movie itself wasn’t bad, it was a far cry from anything resembling this book. About all they share is the disease-induced apocalypse and the main character’s name. Everything else changed. Moreover, I had hoped to track down the other two adaptations (from the 60s and 70s) but when I read that they were even farther off I didn’t bother. I’d rather remember the novella than the movies.

Since it’s such a short story it’s hard to do a plot summary of any kind without spoilers. All I will say is that everyone is a vampire — except Robert Neville. He’s just a drunk.

However, since a book of this caliber requires a nice lively discussion, lets take it to the comments. If you haven’t read the book yet, please stay out of the comments as you’ll just ruin your own experience. You’ve been warned. Everyone else, let’s dive in!