Title: I Am Legend
Author: Richard Matheson
Publisher: Blackstone Audio Books
Narrator: Robertson Dean
Duration: 5 hours, 19 minutes
Copyright: 2007
Genres: science fiction, horror, monster fiction
Filed in: Audiobook reviews
Review copy provided by Carrollton Public Library.
THE GIST: A plague has swept the planet, spread by mosquitoes and freak dust storms. The plague infects everyone it touches, turning them into blood-sucking vampires. In fact, it seems that only one man, Robert Neville, is immune. Robert leads a nightmare existence. By day, he goes hunting, finding the vampires in their various hiding places, and driving stakes through their hearts. By night, he must barricade himself inside his house, protected by crosses and strings of garlic.
Robert knows this can’t go on forever, so he begins to educate himself. Studying and experimenting to learn the nature of the plague, in a vain hope of finding a cure. But what he discovers terrifies him even more. It turns out the plague has created not one race of monsters, but two. The first, a breed of mindless zombies, he can deal with, but the second group, a new breed, can think and reason, making them all the more dangerous. Soon, the hunter becomes the hunted.
MY THOUGHTS: I don’t typically enjoy vampire stories, but “I Am Legend” is not a typical vampire story. Imagine being the last person alive in an entire city of the undead. Creepy!
I love how Matheson twists this around. Neville feels like the last island of sanity in a sea of monsters, but how do the “monsters” feel about him? In their eyes, they are trying to build a new world, and it is Robert Neville who is the monster, slaying dozens of them each day.
It’s all about perspective. We always look at ourselves as the good guys; the heroes. But how do others see us? Some great food for thought here.
NARRATOR: No, that’s not backwards; his name really is Robertson Dean. His reading of “I Am Legend” was very good. He reads with passion and emotion, and he has kind of a dark, gritty voice that suits this audio book nicely.
FINAL WORD: Lovers of vampire stories may not enjoy “I Am Legend” because, like I said, these are not your typical vampires. I do, however, think this audio book will appeal to science fiction or horror readers.
FILM ADAPTATION: “I Am Legend” has spawned three films since its original publication in 1954. My favorite of the three is the classic 1964 black and white titled “The Last Man On earth” starring Vincent Price. I highly recommend this film if you can get your hands on it.
Also of note is the most recent adaptation, 2007’s “I Am Legend” starring Will Smith. I haven’t seen that one but WillSmith’s movies are usually good.
CHECK OUT THESE OTHER AUDIOBOOK REVIEWS:
a stir of Echoes by Richard Matheson (Audiobook review)
What Dreams May Come by Richard Matheson (Audiobook Review)
Hell House by Richard Matheson (Audiobook Review)
If you liked this audiobook review, you can purchase the audiobook here:
Get "I Am Legend" by Richard Matheson (Unabridged Audiobook) from Amazon.com.
Interested in the movie?
get "The Last Man on Earth" from Amazon.com.
This audiobook review is based on the unabridged audiobook.
Audiobook review by Steven Brandt
Come back soon for more audiobook reviews from Audiobook Heaven.
Is this the book that inspired the movie with Will smith? It sounds similar, but this sounds much, much, much better than the movie.
ReplyDeleteThe movie was the last movie I saw when I could see. I watched it the night before I went blind, with my brand new glasses no less.
Didn't like the movie, but you make the book sound fab!
Thanks!
Yep, you got it. There have been three movies based on this novel. The first one was a great old b&w called "The Last Man On Earth" starring Vincent Price. Great movie!
ReplyDeleteLove the review! I'm no sci-fi fan or vampire fan but this sounds like a must read. I wonder if Vincent Price can read it to me? lol
ReplyDelete