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Thibault Busschots's Reviews > I Am Legend: The Best of the SF Masterworks
I Am Legend: The Best of the SF Masterworks
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Robert Neville is the last living man on earth as everyone else has turned into a vampire. During the day, he is a hunter. At night, he is the hunted.
A gripping character-driven story with a simple but fascinating concept with a lot of intense scenes. And it boldly dares to ask a question nobody would be prepared for in that situation. Neville is a relic of a world long gone and everyone else around him is just a ghost of the past. But the world still keeps spinning around the sun and life continues to evolve.
I watched the Will Smith movie years ago and I’d say the original book is pretty similar in terms of the core of the plot, though there are also quite a few noticeable differences. The movie for example is much more hopeful, while there’s barely any hope left in the book. The ending of the book is also on a whole other level, thus elevating the story as a whole. It’s the kind of impactful ending that can linger in the back of your mind for quite a while. The ending is tricky though, as I can imagine not everyone will like it. But if you do, it’ll be hard not to call it brilliant.
That said, it does have some flaws. The biggest flaw for me is that it’s a character-driven story and while the protagonist is fleshed out really well, he can be quite unlikeable at times. He is lonely, frustrated, enraged and depressed. He feels the hopelessness of the whole situation he finds himself in and struggles to cope with it. Though his basic survival instincts and his routines keep him going, while his scientific trial and error approach to possibly fixing his biggest problem keeps hope alive. There’s also something to be said about the way he treats the female vampires in particular.
Not your typical vampire horror story. It’s a great concept and the ending alone does make it worth the read.
A gripping character-driven story with a simple but fascinating concept with a lot of intense scenes. And it boldly dares to ask a question nobody would be prepared for in that situation. Neville is a relic of a world long gone and everyone else around him is just a ghost of the past. But the world still keeps spinning around the sun and life continues to evolve.
I watched the Will Smith movie years ago and I’d say the original book is pretty similar in terms of the core of the plot, though there are also quite a few noticeable differences. The movie for example is much more hopeful, while there’s barely any hope left in the book. The ending of the book is also on a whole other level, thus elevating the story as a whole. It’s the kind of impactful ending that can linger in the back of your mind for quite a while. The ending is tricky though, as I can imagine not everyone will like it. But if you do, it’ll be hard not to call it brilliant.
That said, it does have some flaws. The biggest flaw for me is that it’s a character-driven story and while the protagonist is fleshed out really well, he can be quite unlikeable at times. He is lonely, frustrated, enraged and depressed. He feels the hopelessness of the whole situation he finds himself in and struggles to cope with it. Though his basic survival instincts and his routines keep him going, while his scientific trial and error approach to possibly fixing his biggest problem keeps hope alive. There’s also something to be said about the way he treats the female vampires in particular.
Not your typical vampire horror story. It’s a great concept and the ending alone does make it worth the read.
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Reading Progress
May 14, 2024
–
Started Reading
May 16, 2024
– Shelved
May 16, 2024
– Shelved as:
horror
May 16, 2024
–
Finished Reading
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carol.
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rated it 3 stars
May 16, 2024 11:05AM
Interesting review! Agree that the protagonist is a hard one to empathize with.
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Your great review was very helpful, Thibault. I saw the movie when it came out and have always remembered it and the desperation. I definitely will read the book. 📖
Misogynistic vampire? Well that's disappointing. I didn't see the movie, nor did I know it was about vampires! I am so not relevant with regard to pop culture...Great review though cuz I learned something!
Fantastic review, Thibault! Very eloquently put.
Great review, Thibault! I saw the movie too and loved it. Will Smith is a really good actor. On another note, I really like character driven stories. For me, characterization is probably the most essential component of a story. I need to like an MC in order to connect to them and/or the story. Stories with unlikeable characters are much more likely to end up being either DNFed or a one and done for me, if it's a series.
Very interesting review, Thibault. I don't mind unlikeable characters as they bring realism to a story. But based on my memory of the movie, I can see why this book won't be a great experience if the sole character is an unlikeable one. It would be so tough to root for him!The movie was a decent one-time watch for me, and I can understand why Hollywood went for their typical ending. The book sounds better, but no vampire reads for me. :)
carol. wrote: "Interesting review! Agree that the protagonist is a hard one to empathize with."Thanks, Carol. Glad you agree :)
TXGAL1 wrote: "Your great review was very helpful, Thibault. I saw the movie when it came out and have always remembered it and the desperation. I definitely will read the book. 📖"Glad to be of help, TXGAL. I think the movie did right in making the protagonist more likeable, though the ending of the book is by far the best thing about this story imo. So I do hope you’ll like the book too.
Barbara wrote: "Misogynistic vampire? Well that's disappointing. I didn't see the movie, nor did I know it was about vampires! I am so not relevant with regard to pop culture...Great review though cuz I learned so..."Something like that. It’s rather subtle, but it’s definitely there. Glad to read that you learned something new, Barbara :)
Becky wrote: "Fantastic review, Thibault! Very eloquently put."Thanks, Becky :)
Donne wrote: "Great review, Thibault! I saw the movie too and loved it. Will Smith is a really good actor. On another note, I really like character driven stories. For me, characterization is probably the most e..."The movie managed to elevate the protagonist and Will Smith did a fantastic job of making him likeable. Though the ending is a lot better in the book imo. Don’t know if you’d enjoy the ride but I think the ending could be worth it should you pick this one up. Thanks, Donne.
Rosh (On a partial break till June 2) wrote: "Very interesting review, Thibault. I don't mind unlikeable characters as they bring realism to a story. But based on my memory of the movie, I can see why this book won't be a great experience if t..."Thank you, Rosh. Pretty much, yeah. It does make sense that he’s so miserable and unlikeable, because he’s in a very bad and seemingly hopeless situation. Has been for quite some time. So it’s definitely realistic. But it does make it harder to root for him.
True. The movie ending is more Hollywood, satisfying but forgettable, while the original ending is more impactful and legendary. And there’s actually not much focus on the vampires :)
I watched this years ago but have never given the book a try. I think I probably won't, though it does sounds like it was decent overall. Bold choice to make the only character unlikeable, but it does make sense. Wonderful review, Thibault!
A wrote: "I watched this years ago but have never given the book a try. I think I probably won't, though it does sounds like it was decent overall. Bold choice to make the only character unlikeable, but it d..."Exactly, it does make sense. But it's both a strength and a weakness. Thanks, A Mac.
An insightful review, Thibault. After seeing the movie several years ago I downloaded the book to my Kindle and forgot about it. Am curious about how the book ends, so I will have to move it into my reading rotation soon.
There was a part in the Will Smith movie that broke me. It sounds like the book might be even more intense. Fantastic review Thibault!
Darla wrote: "An insightful review, Thibault. After seeing the movie several years ago I downloaded the book to my Kindle and forgot about it. Am curious about how the book ends, so I will have to move it into m..."Thanks, Darla. Time to dust your ebook off and give it a read. The ending in particular is worth it :)
Esta wrote: "There was a part in the Will Smith movie that broke me. It sounds like the book might be even more intense. Fantastic review Thibault!"Then I don't know what the original might do to you, Esta. Because the movie is very hopeful and uplifting in comparison. Thanks, Esta :)
I understand that an unlikable protagonist can detract from the enjoyment of the story. However, I'm pleased that you still found other aspects of the novel enjoyable. Great review, Thibault!
Coco (Semi-Hiatus) wrote: "I understand that an unlikable protagonist can detract from the enjoyment of the story. However, I'm pleased that you still found other aspects of the novel enjoyable. Great review, Thibault!"Thanks, Coco :)
Thibault wrote: "Jonas wrote: "Fantastic review."Thanks, Jonas :)
I almost forgot you said it was a vampire story based on the other details. The opposite of Twilight, lol. Still, I can see the appeal. Some endings are right for the story but wrong for the audience. Superb review, Thibault. :)
Srivalli wrote: "I almost forgot you said it was a vampire story based on the other details. The opposite of Twilight, lol. Still, I can see the appeal. Some endings are right for the story but wrong for the audien..."Yeah, it’s not exactly a typical vampire story either. Thanks, Srivalli :)
