I Am Legend - Richard Matheson

Review by Tammy Robson

Published in 1954, I am Legend is a story of one mans survival set in the virus ravaged landscape of 1970’s America.

Robert Neville spends his days scavenging and stockpiling food and supplies. By night he barricades himself in his fortified house and tries to barricade his mind from the screams and taunts of his fellow city residents. But why do they scream and terrorise him at night? Why is he the only uninfected human in the city, maybe even America? When he finds another survivor, a woman, his loneliness is lifted but only to be replaced by suspicion. Who is she? How has she lasted 3 years alone? And more importantly, what does she want?

Well written and suspenseful, I am Legend is a classic piece of science fiction, inspiring numerous authors since. Recently having been turned into a film with Will Smith, the original storyline in the book contains enough differences to keep you on edge til the climax (also different to the film).