Matheson's novel seems like it can easily be a 'contemporary' piece written in the early 2000's. The sense of isolation is as dense as the vampire's fluids. Some aspects of the novel are certainly challenging, namely the use of the-last-man-on-Earth trope. Granted this trope was handled quite well, it proved a tough aspect to get through.
Admittedly, I enjoyed this novel. The apocalyptic sub-genre of Horror still holds strong today, Matheson's novel, should it be compared to The Mist, would prove challenging, due to mainly how the main characters are handled in the events of the respective stories. Neville has been in survival mode for several years when he is introduced. In order to survive the utter annihilation of the human race, he holed himself in his home, which turned into his own prison on more than one level. His home turned into a psychological torture chamber, his entire life was spent in that space. Worse: he's a prisoner of his own mind, the confines of his skull turned into his own prison during his years in near isolation.
In order to compare this piece to King's The Mist, each main character must be examined. Drayton (The Mist) is certainly an everyday man, much like Neville. They parallel in certain ways: each has lost any form of familial support, Neville more so. Each character is driven to extremes in order to survive and protect their family. However, the comparisons end there. Neville, by a margin is certainly the more tragic character: his had to kill his own family and in the end he was meant to be killed.
Neville's character was certainly realistic, but was 'cookie-cutter', though this criticism is from 'contemporary' sensibilities, Neville's character is not without merit. One could draw parallel's, but in terms of writing, Matheson's novel does leave something to be desired. I am Legend, seems like a piece made too short. Is Neville killed or not? It Matheson does lead one to believe Neville does meet his end. What did make Neville a legend? Does he think of himself a legend for how long he has survived? Or has he gone mad?
Madness is ever present in this novel and is exquisitely handled. One would go mad if they had to slay their own family and burn their corpses, one would go mad if all they had known had devolved into a vampire utopia. But, the madness lies in Neville's seemingly selfish character. When he takes Ruth, he does in caveman fashion: he bludgeons her and takes her home. As comical as this seems, this does show how much his psyche has deteriorated over time. Perhaps Neville's madness was a saving grace from him in the end as he meets his end. He had to resort to child-like fantasy to cushion his fall into madness. Perhaps he met his end with a smile?
Rating: 3.5/5
