2008 Woodie Awards
Review: "I Am Legend" by Richard Matheson (book)
Brian Heinemann
Issue date: 2/14/08 Section: A&E
"I Am Legend," a book written by Richard Matheson, will come as a shock to those who have seen the identically titled 2007 motion picture featuring Will Smith. It is clear that the screenwriters bastardized the original story in an effort to fit their visions for the silver screen, completely altering the style of the book in doing so.
In "I Am Legend," Matheson delivers an engaging story about a man attempting to survive in a vampire-filled world. Although the story gives off the impression of moving along fairly slowly at first, soon readers will be drawn deeper into the much different version of America that main character Robert Neville lives in.
While Neville's everyday life seems monotonous on the surface, the true story takes place in his mind as he attempts to maintain his sanity and understand the plague that has destroyed the world as he used to know it. Matheson gives Neville just enough hope at various points throughout the story to keep him going, and then unceremoniously rips it away to evoke pity and sympathy toward the protagonist.
The constant struggle to maintain composure and not give himself over to death is the most compelling reason to pick up this book. Knowing that he is likely the last normal human alive, Neville experiences yet another obstacle on his path to survival when he turns to alcohol, a decision that leads him to contemplate letting himself be killed at several different junctures.
The differences between the book and movie are quite pronounced but the book provides a more believable and entertaining story than the movie. Although "I Am Legend" is very short, the depth, complexities, drama and suspense presented makes it well worth the read.
In "I Am Legend," Matheson delivers an engaging story about a man attempting to survive in a vampire-filled world. Although the story gives off the impression of moving along fairly slowly at first, soon readers will be drawn deeper into the much different version of America that main character Robert Neville lives in.
While Neville's everyday life seems monotonous on the surface, the true story takes place in his mind as he attempts to maintain his sanity and understand the plague that has destroyed the world as he used to know it. Matheson gives Neville just enough hope at various points throughout the story to keep him going, and then unceremoniously rips it away to evoke pity and sympathy toward the protagonist.
The constant struggle to maintain composure and not give himself over to death is the most compelling reason to pick up this book. Knowing that he is likely the last normal human alive, Neville experiences yet another obstacle on his path to survival when he turns to alcohol, a decision that leads him to contemplate letting himself be killed at several different junctures.
The differences between the book and movie are quite pronounced but the book provides a more believable and entertaining story than the movie. Although "I Am Legend" is very short, the depth, complexities, drama and suspense presented makes it well worth the read.
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