I Am Legend by Richard Matheson

I Am Legend is a post-apocalyptic horror novel that follows the story of Robert Neville, the last human being left on Earth after a disease has killed or turned the rest of humanity into vampire-like creatures. The novel explores themes of grief, loneliness, depression, survival, violence, and the importance of companionship.

Robert Neville, a military virologist, spends his days searching for a cure to the Krippin Virus that has caused the apocalypse. He also has to deal with the psychological effects of being completely alone, which is in some ways worse than becoming a vampire.

As he struggles to survive, he learns the depths of loneliness, pain, monotony, and despair a human being can go through when they alone survive and are surrounded by dreadful creatures.

The most prevalent message of ‘I Am Legend’ emphasizes the necessity of human emotions and relations with others. The reader is taken through the feelings of loneliness, sadness, hope, resignation, and anger of Robert Neville. In this novel, Richard Matheson reveals the importance of companionship.

What I Liked

I usually don’t read zombie or horror style books, but this one was a good read. I picked it up because of the movie. I actually kind of liked that the book and movie followed two different plots at the end.

What I Did Not Like

Zombies and horror are still weird to me. I don’t get the cultural fascination with them at all.