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Books We Love is a regular fortnightly feature here at Book Chick City. It’s where we discuss our favourite books; the books we absolutely adore, would recommend over and over again, and will keep forever on our bookshelves. I hope you enjoy and find some new-to-you authors and books to read. You can view the full schedule HERE.
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My guest today is Jenny from Wondrous Reads, my favourite YA book blogger. She has a love of all things YA, especially the Twilight series. Wondrous Reads is my main go-to blog for YA reviews – I find all the well known books, plus lots of new-to-me authors and books to read too. Jenny is real friendly, so make sure you stop by her blog or twitter and say hi.
I Am Legend is one of my all time favourite novels too – I was blown away by this book when I read it for the first time back in 2008 – the ending shocked me to the core! Anyway, I will now hand you over to Jenny…
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I Am Legend by Richard Matheson
When I was 12 years old, and at the beginning of my obsession with all things vampire, my dad gave me his 1971 copy of I Am Legend by Richard Matheson (In my opinion, this one has the best cover!). It had been lovingly read a few times by then, as well as covered with protective sticky back plastic to preserve its condition. My dad was a big fan, and he thought I would be too. How right he was.
11 years later, I Am Legend, originally published in 1954, is still my favourite vampire book after Twilight, and remains in my top 3 books of all-time. No adult novel has ever captured my interest as much as this one, and I don’t think one ever will. There’s just something about this tale of one man against the world that still haunts me even now.
I Am Legend is the story of Robert Neville, the last man on earth in a world of vampires. He’s the sole survivor of a pandemic – to which he’s immune – that left everyone either dead or infected, and spends his time trying to survive or find a cure. He hunts his friends and neighbours by day, and when night falls, he hides. Tense and frightening, I Am Legend was way ahead of its time, and was so popular it spawned 3 movie adaptations, my personal favourite being 1964′s The Last Man on Earth.
I Am Legend explores so much, and it’s hard to talk about it in just a few paragraphs. It looks at social problems, immortality and survival, and is one of those books that really does stay with you long after you turn the final page. As a horror story, it’s a must-read. As an exploration of one man’s strength and resilience, it’s absolute genius.
The end of the book is the part that put Richard Matheson firmly on my favourite authors list. I’ve never read anything that conveyed so much emotion in one paragraph, and I’ve been able to recite it by heart since the day I first read it. It’s that powerful, not to mention heartbreaking and shocking. It’s not how I thought it would end, but that’s one of Matheson’s strengths: he defies all your expectations. In fact, he throws them right out of the window.
If you’ve read I Am Legend, you’ll know what I’m talking about when I mention the final paragraph, and especially the last line. It sums the whole story up in three little words, and gives the reader more to think about than they bargained for. Imagining a world where humans become legends is terrifying, but Matheson presents the issue with such subtlety that it’s easy to look past the deeper meaning the first couple of times you read it. It’s a thought that never leaves you, though, and one that I’ve often thought about over the years.
Fans of the undead will undoubtedly love this book. If you haven’t read it, I urge you to do so, as it really is a work of genius. But be warned – there are no sparkly vampires or love triangles involving werewolves: Matheson’s vision of the undead is brutal and untamed, and you will see these creatures in a whole new light. Please put it on your reading lists if you haven’t already… then let me know what you think!
And one last thing… thanks, dad. 
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Thanks Jenny!
Check out Jenny’s blog, Wondrous Reads or stop by and say hello on Twitter: @WondrousReads, Goodreads or Facebook.
12 Comments
Ok, SO convinced. I've actually had this one laying around for quite some time but never managed to get to it. I will for sure now. Thanks!
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Great post! Totally agree with Jenny, I Am Legend is an amazing book and one I'd recommend to anybody.x
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I am legend is a great read…amongst many of my faves
The Blog
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Great post – thanks for sharing Jenny. BTW tell your Dad I think he is awesome
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I Am Legend was one of my favorite novellas. Such a powerful read!
xx,
E.J.
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Thanks Jenny.
Do you know I have never read 'I am Legend' or seen (any of) the films. Not that a film can ever compare to a book!
I have been put off, sad as it is the fact that I've heard a rumour something happens to his dog. You're talking to the woman who would not watch Lassie as a child just in case
But, you talk about it with such passion I wonder if I'm being silly and I should give it a go.
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Great post!
Lovely to meet you in the flesh yesterday at S&S, Caroline. Hope you had a safe journey home.
Get lots of books?
Sassy
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Great post! Not read I Am Legend but am off to buy a copy now!
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Jenny – Thanks so much for the post! I love this book so much too!
All – Definitely go read it – if you love horror/vampire fiction/urban fantasy, you can't not be in awe when you read this book – it's brilliant!
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I really liked that the book actually explained what "I am Legend" means in a way that really made sense…unlike the movie's sad attempt (although I still enjoyed the movie).
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Thanks for having me Carolyn! Anyone who hasn't read it really should – I highly recommend it, obviously
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Oh what a lovely post! I've never really considered reading I Am Legend until now, I shall have to look out for it!
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