I Am Legend

By: Richard Matheson

Narrated by: Robertson Dean

Length: 5 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

The basis for the film starring Academy Award nominee Will Smith, I Am Legend is a classic of horror and suspense.

In I Am Legend, a terrible plague has decimated the world, and those who were unfortunate enough to survive are transformed into bloodthirsty creatures of the night. Robert Neville is the last living man on earth. Every other man, woman, and child has become a vampire, and they are all hungry for Neville’s blood. By day, he is the hunter, stalking the sleeping undead through the abandoned ruins of civilization. By night, he barricades himself in his home and prays for the dawn. How long can one man survive in a world of vampires?

Richard Matheson’s chilling tale is a white-knuckle ride into a world of darkness and terror.

©1954, 1982 by Richard Matheson (P)2007 Blackstone Audio Inc.

Critic reviews

"One of the ten all-time best novels of vampirism." ( Fangoria)
"The most clever and riveting vampire novel since Dracula." (Dean Koontz)
"I think the author who influenced me most as a writer was Richard Matheson. Books like I Am Legend were an inspiration to me." (Stephen King)

loved it

classic sci-fi tale, exploring humanity and the irony that comes with it. truly amazing work.

Surprised me

What made the experience of listening to I Am Legend the most enjoyable?

The fact the story felt like it was written on our time

What other book might you compare I Am Legend to and why?

None

What about Robertson Dean’s performance did you like?

Narration was great. I could feel the character

If you could rename I Am Legend, what would you call it?

The beginning

Any additional comments?

Enjoyable book. One that surprised me when I found out when it was written

Fantastic

This book is clever and filed with surprises. Outstanding prose. I only wish the movies would adhere to the "ending".

Wow!

It’s been years since I stayed up until 3:30AM, but I hit play and spiraled into Matteson’s incredible world. I woke up and couldn’t stop thinking and talking about it. What incredible writing! What a twist! What layers of deeper meaning!!! Fabulously narrated and so glad I got this book.

Perfect!

Would you consider the audio edition of I Am Legend to be better than the print version?

Picking up a book and actually reading the printed characters is wonderful, but listening to the audio edition of a story has a charm of its own; it resurrects the ancient art of storytelling that our ancestors enjoyed for thousands of years. So yes, on that particular aspect, an audio edition is better.

What did you like best about this story?

The subtext on this story is very rich, and if you keep reading it/listening to it every few years, you will find more and more under the surface.

Have you listened to any of Robertson Dean’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Robertson Dean is my very favorite narrator. I have several books read by him and from time to time, I check the updated list of books he has narrated, and purchase those that I already have on print, or those that match my interests. This particular work stands out with its emotional depth and repressed sexuality.

If you could rename I Am Legend, what would you call it?

I would not change a single word.

Any additional comments?

I downloaded it last night and it's been pretty hard to press pause and actually have some work done. But hey, gotta make money to buy more of these jewels.

Obvious why

"I Am Legend" is a gripper. Powerful and intense. It's obvious why this one is classic.

Great Idea for a Story

For the most part I enjoyed this story very much. My biggest problem with is all of the reverie the main character engages in. He spends so much time filled with self-hatred and booze, it gets old after several pages per incident. Overall, a great idea for a story, and told well.

Better than the movie.

Would you consider the audio edition of I Am Legend to be better than the print version?

This is my very first audio book. I wouldn't say it was better than the book, but it allowed me to focus more on the mental imagery. Book and audio book far surpass the movie, which was just another Hollywood butcher of a great story that didn't have a fairy tale ending.

What was one of the most memorable moments of I Am Legend?

The last line of the story literally gave me chills, even though I knew it was coming.

What does Robertson Dean bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

With a single voice, he gives individuality to each character. Even the dog.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Though I wasn't able to, yes it was.

Any additional comments?

Saw the movie, read the book, listened to the audio book. The latter is by far the best interpretation.

Terrifying narrator

If you could sum up I Am Legend in three words, what would they be?

Anxiety. Adrenaline. Obsession.

What other book might you compare I Am Legend to and why?

I can't compare it to any other book, but currently I am watching the Walking Dead, and to think of I Am Legend as a TV series comparable to TWD is not too far fetched. Only I think, with the right cast and crew, with the right direction, I Am Legend would surpass.

Which character – as performed by Robertson Dean – was your favorite?

Ben Cortman.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

At times, and maybe it was just the narrator, but I was a little disturbed. And I loved it.

Any additional comments?

Read this book. Don't bother with the films. READ THIS BOOK. Or listen to it. Yeah, listen to it.

Instant classic

I can't believe I missed such an amazing book. The title says it all... I am legend... sure is.