Summary
I Am Legend, published in 1954, is a groundbreaking post-apocalyptic horror novel by American author Richard Matheson. Set in a world ravaged by a pandemic that turns survivors into vampire-like creatures, the story follows Robert Neville, seemingly the last uninfected human on Earth. Matheson's work is widely credited with revolutionizing vampire and zombie literature, influencing countless writers and filmmakers in the decades since its release.
The novel's impact on popular culture cannot be overstated. It has been adapted into multiple films, with the most famous being the 2007 blockbuster starring Will Smith. While the movie takes significant liberties with the source material, it helped introduce Matheson's story to a new generation of audiences and cemented the book's place in the pantheon of science fiction classics.
I Am Legend explores themes of isolation, survival, and the blurred lines between monster and human. Matheson's scientific approach to vampirism was revolutionary for its time, offering a rational explanation for the supernatural and paving the way for more grounded takes on horror tropes. The book's influence extends beyond literature, inspiring works in various media and contributing to the popularity of the zombie apocalypse subgenre.
Plot
Robert Neville is the last human survivor in a world overrun by vampires. A pandemic has wiped out most of humanity and turned the infected into bloodthirsty creatures of the night. Neville spends his days hunting and killing vampires as they sleep, while barricading himself in his home at night to survive their attacks.
Struggling with isolation and depression, Neville begins researching the scientific causes behind the vampire plague. He discovers the disease is caused by a bacteria strain that infects both the living and dead. Through experimentation, he learns more about the vampires' vulnerabilities to sunlight, garlic, and other traditional vampire repellents.
After years alone, Neville encounters a woman named Ruth in broad daylight. They cautiously form a bond, but Ruth turns out to be an infected spy sent by a group of living vampires who are slowly overcoming the disease and forming a new society. She warns Neville to flee, revealing that he has killed many of her fellow vampires.
Ignoring Ruth's warning, Neville is eventually captured by the new vampire society. Imprisoned and awaiting execution, he realizes he has become a feared monster to this new race, just as vampires once were to humans. Ruth visits him one last time, providing suicide pills out of mercy. As the pills take effect, Neville reflects that he will become a new legend to the vampire world.
Themes
Isolation and loneliness in a post-apocalyptic world
Struggle for survival against overwhelming odds
Scientific approach to understanding the unknown
Blurred lines between humanity and monstrosity
psychological toll of being the last of one's kind
Evolving nature of society and civilization
Confronting one's own legend and legacy
Setting
The events of I Am Legend take place in a post-apocalyptic version of Los Angeles, California in the mid-1970s. The story is set approximately 20 years after the novel's 1954 publication date, depicting a world ravaged by a mysterious pandemic that has decimated the human population and transformed survivors into vampire-like creatures.
The protagonist, Robert Neville, resides on Cimarron Street in Gardena, a suburban neighborhood of Los Angeles. The once-bustling city has been reduced to an eerie, desolate landscape marked by abandoned buildings, overgrown vegetation, and the remnants of a collapsed civilization. Weekly dust storms sweep through the area, adding to the bleak atmosphere.
Neville's home serves as his fortress against the nocturnal attacks of the infected. By day, he ventures out into the deserted streets, scavenging for supplies and hunting dormant vampires. Key locations in his daily routine include local libraries, where he conducts research on the disease, and various neighborhoods throughout the Los Angeles area where he searches for resources and potential survivors.
Characters
Robert Neville: The protagonist and last human survivor of a pandemic that turns people into vampire-like creatures. A former factory worker, Neville spends his days hunting and killing vampires and his nights barricaded in his home. He struggles with loneliness, depression, and alcoholism while trying to find a scientific explanation for the plague. Neville eventually discovers he has become a feared monster in the eyes of the new vampire society.
Ruth: A woman Neville encounters who turns out to be an infected spy for the new vampire society. She develops feelings for Neville but ultimately betrays him. Ruth later shows him mercy by providing suicide pills before his execution.
Virginia Neville: Robert's wife who dies from the plague in the early stages of the outbreak. Her death haunts Neville throughout the story.
Kathy Neville: Robert's young daughter who also succumbs to the plague. Her loss, along with his wife's, contributes to Neville's deep trauma and isolation.
Ben Cortman: Neville's former neighbor and co-worker who becomes one of the vampire-like creatures. He frequently taunts Neville at night, calling for him to come out of his house.
The Dog: A stray dog Neville befriends briefly, giving him hope for companionship. Its death after only a week further deepens Neville's despair.
Quick facts
Published in 1954, I Am Legend is considered one of the first modern vampire novels.
The novel helped popularize the concept of a worldwide apocalypse caused by disease.
It was a major influence on the development of the zombie genre, inspiring George A. Romero's Night of the Living Dead.
The book has been adapted into four feature films, including versions starring Vincent Price, Charlton Heston, and Will Smith.
Stephen King has cited I Am Legend as an inspiration for his own writing.
The novel won the prestigious Vampire Novel of the Century Award in 2012 from the Horror Writers Association.
Matheson's scientific explanation for vampirism using bacteria was innovative for its time.
The story is set in the future (1976-1978), over 20 years after its 1954 publication date.
Matheson wrote the original screenplay for the first film adaptation but used a pseudonym in the credits due to rewrites.
The novel has also been adapted into a comic book miniseries and a BBC radio drama.
About the Author
Richard Matheson was an influential American author and screenwriter who made significant contributions to the fantasy, horror, and science fiction genres. Born in 1926, Matheson began his writing career in 1950 with the publication of his short story “Born of Man and Woman.” He went on to write numerous novels, short stories, and screenplays that would cement his legacy as a master of speculative fiction.
Matheson is perhaps best known for his 1954 novel I Am Legend, which has been adapted for film three times. His other notable works include The Shrinking Man, Hell House, and What Dreams May Come, all of which were also made into movies. Matheson had a particular talent for crafting taut, suspenseful stories that explored the psychological depths of his characters while placing them in fantastical or horrific situations.
In addition to his novels, Matheson wrote extensively for television. He penned 16 episodes of The Twilight Zone, including the iconic “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet.” He also adapted several Edgar Allan Poe stories for Roger Corman's film series and wrote the screenplay for Steven Spielberg's breakthrough TV movie Duel. Matheson's ability to blend elements of science fiction, horror, and fantasy with everyday situations made his work both accessible and deeply unsettling.
Throughout his career, Matheson received numerous accolades, including the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement and the Bram Stoker Award for Lifetime Achievement. His influence can be seen in the work of many subsequent authors and filmmakers, including Stephen King, who has cited Matheson as a major inspiration. Richard Matheson passed away in 2013 at the age of 87, leaving behind a rich legacy that continues to captivate audiences and inspire new generations of writers.
