The novel was a success and was adapted into the films the last man on earth 1964, the omega man 1971, and i am. By day, he is a hunter, stalking the infected monstrosities through the abandoned ruins of civilization. I am legend by richard matheson italian edition the novel i am legend by richard matheson was published for the first time in 1954 robert nevilles days are spent looking for the vampires who live in the area around his home hiding from the sunlight to go out after sunset. Film omega man with charlton heston, based on the classic novel i am legend. On those cloudy days, robert neville was never sure when sunset came, and sometimes they were in the streets before he could get back. I was surprised to see the book was very different from the will smith movie, but i loved this version too.
Originally published in 1954, richard matheson s i am legend ushered in a different kind of novel, defying and transcending genre to combine elements of horror and science fiction within a postapocalyptic frame. Beloved author richard matheson passed yesterday at the age of 87, after a long illness. I am legend and other stories by richard matheson pdf. Signed, inscribed and dated by the author to the front endpaper. An incurable plague has mutated every other man, woman, and child into bloodthirsty, nocturnal creatures who are determined to destroy him. In addition, this outstanding collection also contains many other unforgettable stories by matheson, the awardwinning author of i. Richard matheson was the new york times bestselling author of i am legend, hell house, somewhere in time, the incredible shrinking man, a stir of echoes, the beardless warriors, the path, seven steps to midnight, now you see it, and what dreams may come, among others. He looked at the ornate cross hed had tattooed on his chest one night in panama when hed been. This onepage guide includes a plot summary and brief analysis of i am legend by richard matheson. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. His contributions, before passing away in june 20, were many and varied.
About the author 1995 richard matheson 192620 was the new york times bestselling author of i am legend, hell house, somewhere in time, the incredible shrinking man, now you see it. It was influential in the development of the zombievampire genre and in popularizing the concept of a worldwide apocalypse due to disease. Richard mathesons 1954 i am legend is a milestone in. I am meant to be writing a blog about how i am legend, by the late, immensely great, richard matheson, is the king of vampire novels. Author richard mathesons 1954 horror and science fiction novel, i am legend. Richard matheson or his fictional protagonist, robert neville.
Richard burton matheson 20 february 1926 23 june 20 was an american author and screenwriter, typically of fantasy, horror, or science fiction see also. I am legend is a post apocalyptic vision by richard matheson, created in 1954 it tells the story of robert neville, the last surviving human in the world, surrounded by bloodthirsty vampires. I am legend, richard matheson it was influential in the development of the zombievampire genre and in popularizing the concept of a worldwide apocalypse due to disease. Director richard kelly added i loved richard mathesons writing and it was a huge honor getting to adapt his story button, button into a.
Richard mathesons i am legend has been a major influence on horror literature. Richard mathesons i am legend has been made into several movies, including the recent will smith movie, and the last man on earth, starring vincent price. I am legend and other stories by richard matheson, paperback. January 1976 chapter one on those cloudy days, robert neville was never sure when sunset came, and sometimes they were in the. The novel was adapted to film in 1964 as the last man on earth, in 1971 as omega man, and in 2007 as i am legend, starring will smith. I am legend isnt particularly long either, hardly even novel length. I am legend author richard matheson was himself a real.
I am legend is a novel by richard matheson in which robert neville struggles to survive as the sole remaining human in a world overrun by vampires robert neville is the only. Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics. The rest of the book is a collection of short horror stories and not very good ones either. Robert neville may well be the last living man on earth. In richard matheson s i am legend, robert neville is the last living man on earth, having somehow managed to survive an incurable virus that has mutated every last man, woman, and child in the world into bloodthirsty and vampirelike creatures who prowl and ravage the abandoned ruins of civilization at night.
First editionfirst printing with a complete number line beginning in 1. Jun 25, 20 i am meant to be writing a blog about how i am legend, by the late, immensely great, richard matheson, is the king of vampire novels. Created by the original team behind sparknotes, litcharts are the worlds best literature guides. Welcome to the litcharts study guide on richard mathesons i am legend. Richard mathesons vampire novel i am legend versus justin cronins the passage and the twelve. Button, button, richard mathesons chilling tale of greed and temptation, is now the basis of the box, the new film from the director of donnie darko.
The twoway science fiction author richard mathesons work included the shrinking man, i. Matheson also wrote 16 television episodes of the twilight zone, including nightmare at 20,000 feet and steel, as well as several adaptations of edgar allan poe stories. So i just finished i am legend by richard matheson. I am legend read online free from your pc or mobile. By day, he is the hunter, stalking the sleeping undead through the. The novel was a success and was adapted into the films the last man on earth 1964, the omega man 1971, and i am legend 2007.
He checks the planks and boards that hes hammered in front of all the windows, and. Later remade as a 2nd movie with will smith minor cover creasing. I am legend is a 1954 postapocalyptic horror novel by american writer richard matheson. Legend, a postapocalyptic science ctionhorror novel, published in. This giveaway is sponsored by the folio society edition of richard mathesons i am legend, illustrated by dave mckean and introduced by joe hill the folio society has just published a stunning new edition of richard mathesons masterpiece, i am legend featuring seven searing colour images and four black and white sectionopening spreads created by awardwinning illustrator dave. In addition to horror, this literary master published science fiction, fantasy, and mystery. Jun 24, 20 science fiction author richard matheson s work included the shrinking man, i am legend, and numerous tv and movie scripts. Stephen king dedicated his book, cell, to richard matheson. The incredible shrinking man 1957 film based on his 1956 novel the last man on earth 1964 film based on his 1954 novel i am legend the omega man 1971 film based on his 1954 novel i. Richard matheson 192620 was the new york times bestselling author of i am legend, hell house, somewhere in time, the incredible shrinking man, now you see it, and what dreams may come, among others. To this day it is a breath of fresh air in the vampirehorror world. The story stops annoyingly suddenly, as if the rest of it has been missed off. Insofar as i am legend is a window into his psyche, he was afraid of nuclear war, of predation, of being all alone in a dangerous world. This detailed literature summary also contains topics for discussion and a free quiz on i am legend by richard matheson.
I am legend is a 1954 postapocalyptic horror novel by american writer richard matheson that was influential in the modern development of zombie and. I am legend by richard matheson and a great selection of related books. I nearly didnt buy this book until i realised that the 2007 film starring will smith was only loosely based on richard mathesons novel, which is all together a much. Welcome to the litcharts study guide on richard matheson s i am legend. I am legend author richard matheson was himself a real legend. He was named a grand master of horror by the world horror convention. Apart from the doorway was the desk where book had been checked out in. The year is 1975, a virus starts to spread after the latest war is finally over. I am legend npr coverage of i am legend by richard matheson. Italian film called the last man on earth, based upon the richard matheson novel i am legend.
If he had been more analytical, he might have calculated the approximate time of their arrival. The novel was a success and was adapted into the films the last man on earth, the omega man, and i am legend. Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read. He picked up the book and tried to read, his lips forming each word slowly and painfully. Given its timing, the allegory to huac, mccarthy, nixon and company cannot be denied. I am legend is very short, not novel length, only 159 pages long, out of the 312 pages in the book. I am legend study guide from litcharts the creators of.
The vampire in richard mathesons i am legend corgi. One of the most influential vampire novels of the 20th century, i am legend regularly appears on the 10 best lists of numerous critical studies of the horror genre. A concise biography of richard matheson plus historical and literary context for i. He stood there for a moment looking around the silent room, shaking his head slowly. For five decades, his work injected a sense of humanity into science fiction. Richard mathesons i am legend was filmed three times, most recently in 2007 starring will smith. Every other man, woman, and child on earth has become a vampire, and they are all hungry for nevilles blood. I am legend was nothing like the charlton heston movie, but it was the best damn vampire novel i had ever read. These are not stokers vampires, nor are they meyers or wards vampires. In 2012, it was named the best vampire novel of the century by the horror writers association and the bram stoker estate.
Richard burton matheson 20 february 1926 23 june 20 was an american author and screenwriter, typically of fantasy, horror, or science fiction. He wrote short stories, novels, and even screenplays. Richard mathesons 1954 apocalyptic horrorsciencefiction novel i am legend gave plenty of original ideas to the genre, and inspired many great books and. While the first fear is a highly contextdependent one, the second two generalize across cultures and times. On a morning in january 1976, a man named robert neville walks around his house, carefully checking to see if its wellfortified.
I am legend signed by richard matheson and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. I am legend and other stories by richard matheson goodreads. The incredible shrinking man 1957 film based on his 1956 novel the last man on earth 1964 film based on his 1954 novel i am legend the omega man 1971 film based on his 1954 novel i am legend. The original and unclipped dust jacket has a tiny nick to top edge and small 6mm closed tear to bottom edge of rear panel. Richard burton matheson was an american author and screenwriter, primarily in the fantasy, horror, and science fiction genres. A concise biography of richard matheson plus historical and literary context for i am legend. I am legend is a 1954 science fictionhorror novel by american writer richard matheson.
May 04, 2018 this giveaway is sponsored by the folio society edition of richard mathesons i am legend, illustrated by dave mckean and introduced by joe hill the folio society has just published a stunning new edition of richard mathesons masterpiece, i am legend featuring seven searing colour images and four black and white sectionopening spreads created by awardwinning illustrator dave mckean. He is best known as the author of i am legend, a 1954 science fiction horror novel that has been adapted for the screen three times, the first of which, the last man on earth, was coscripted by him. I though the book was effectively i am legend and other short stories by richard matheeson. But after finding my old copy on the shelf downstairs, i ve.
Litcharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in i am legend, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work. It was influential in the development of the vampire genre as well as the zombie genre, in popularizing the concept of a worldwide apocalypse due to disease, and in exploring the notion of vampirism as a disease. Best known for his seminal work i am legend, he leaves. I think its just a collection of short stories with the headliner being the most famous. Director richard kelly added i loved richard matheson s writing and it was a huge honor getting to adapt his story button, button into a film.
I am legend is a 1954 postapocalyptic horror novel by american writer richard matheson that was influential in the modern development of zombie and vampire literature and in popularizing the concept of a worldwide apocalypse due to disease. Barbour richard matheson is among the most wellknown and respected authors within speculative fiction. I am legend is a post apocalyptic vision by richard matheson, created in 1954 it tells the story of robert neville, the last surviving human in the world, surrounded by bloodthirsty vampires both living and undead. Best known for his seminal work i am legend, he leaves not just a legacy of great science fiction, but an. By night, he barricades himself in his home and prays for dawn.
Oct 30, 2007 richard matheson 192620 was the new york times bestselling author of i am legend, hell house, somewhere in time, the incredible shrinking man, now you see it, and what dreams may come, among others. Richard mathesons i am legend has been made into several movies, including the. The story is about the last man on earth, robert neville. He was named a grand master of horror by the world horror convention, and received the bram stoker award for lifetime achievement. Richard mathesons classic novel of fear and vampirism the tale of the last human on an earth overrun by the undead is going to be a major motion picture starring will smith in the winter of 2007. Romero said that his iconic movie, night of the living dead, was influenced by richards book, i. All these books, he thought, the residue of a planets intellect, the scrapings of futile minds, the leftovers, the potpourri of artifacts that had no power to save men from perishing. Oct 30, 2007 richard matheson is the new york times bestselling author of hell house, other kingdoms, somewhere in time, the incredible shrinking man, a stir of echoes, the beardless warriors, the path, seven steps to midnight, now you see it, and what dreams may come, among others. Since reading the book, i have collected all of richard mathesons other novels and short story collections, but i am legend remains my personal favorites. There is something more tangible and real to these monsters. In 1954 richard matheson published a groundbreaking story i am legend. I am legend gn 2005 idw by richard matheson comic books.
1299 517 1406 625 1306 144 613 926 1290 792 534 436 1420 612 901 1406 1489 1188 866 1464 1219 451 112 1139 873 1237 712 1229 947 1077 1354 237