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I Am Legend

By: Richard Matheson
Narrated by: Robertson Dean
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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)

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What listeners say about I Am Legend

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4 out of 5 stars
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    7,123
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    4,862
  • 3 Stars
    2,133
  • 2 Stars
    527
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    258
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Story
  • 4 out of 5 stars
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    5,850
  • 4 Stars
    3,598
  • 3 Stars
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  • 2 Stars
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  • 1 Stars
    237

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

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.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

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.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

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.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Instant classic

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

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great!

I really enjoyed this. The narrator was excellent, and I found the differences from the film interesting.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

great book

I had seen the movie before I read the book and normally that means I won't enjoy the book as much as if I hadn't watched the movie. however, this book was the exception. it was just different enough that I didn't feel like i knew exactly what was gonna happen. the book is definitely better than the movie.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Love this oldie

Love this “oldie”. Really enjoyed listening to this. Read it some time ago. Good narration.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

top 3 favorite book of all time

this book has been read twice and listened to at 5 times. fantastic story and messages littered thru out.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Not the movie!!

Good story! The movie didn't stick to this at all. Way better. Want more back story.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great read while driving

I enjoyed the book especially the audio. Really sets the tone of the book and overall was a good book to listen while driving

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