A review by apalershadeofwhite
I Am Legend by Richard Matheson

3.0

3.5 ⭐⭐⭐
The storyline is super interesting: the only man left of earth in a sea of vampires. I like how the human has been made the Other rather than the vampire, which is what we usually see.

However, I hate Robert Neville. The way Matheson writes him is so unlikeable! He is misogynistic and always brings his thoughts back to the absolute absurdity and cruelty that he is the only man left in America yet not allowed to indulge in sexual pleasure with the vampire women who are left. His actions are sexist, irrational, and sometimes downright annoying. I hate that Matheson takes every opportunity to use an innuendo or euphemism and I think it takes away from what is otherwise a really good novel.

The storyline progresses really well, though. There doesn't feel like there are any odd stagnant chapters, and the ending is really enjoyable. Especially with how the title ties into the narrative. Also, I really enjoyed the scientific exploration of the vampire and how they came to be / how they work as opposed to the other takes in media that are mystic and religious based.

The second half the novel was definitely much better than the first, in my opinion. It focused much more on the turmoil and effects of the vampire pandemic. It felt much more real and it was easier for me to sympathise with Neville.

I wish I could give this more stars, and maybe I would if the protagonist was someone I enjoyed reading a perspective from, but I cannot. It is unfortunate as I otherwise really enjoyed this novel.