I remember watching "The Omega Man," as a youngster and being very disturbed by it, likewise "I Am Legend," with Will Smith, which I've seen no end of times. I had no idea that it was based on a book, which is now winging its way to my Kindle! To be read, after I've finished "The Left Hand of Darkness!" 😉📚

I've started to appreciate that book more and more since I read it. I like how Robert is the monster that everyone is scared of in the end! The art in there looks terrific 👍

Oh, yes

@michaelk.vaughan8617

2 жыл бұрын

I thought you would like it!

I remember reading this book in one afternoon as a middle schooler, and being completely blown away by the ending. Richard Matheson's best work.

@michaelk.vaughan8617

2 жыл бұрын

It’s fantastic. Great ending.

Many years ago, I bought a collection of some 100 SF books that someone sold in a classified ad. (This was before the advent of the internet.) I wasn't even 20 back then and didn't know most of the books. Most of them were in excellent condition and the entire collection was a great bargain (for me). One of those books was I Am Legend. I knew nothing about the book and just picked it up at random one day. It didn't expect that kind of story and I absolutely loved it! Given how short it is, there's no excuse not to read it! Funnily enough, one of the things I remember most is the dog. The only annoying thing is that many people now probably think that they don't need to read the book because they know the story after having seen the Will Smith movie. They are mistaken as the movie takes lots of liberties. Of course, older folks might have seen one of the earlier adaptations which were equally unfaithful to the source material but at least had different titles so many viewers might not even have been aware that these were supposed to be adaptations of Matheson's excellent book.

What a wonderful gift! It looks beautiful. Of course, I still need to read this. Closest I got was watching the Will Smith movie 😫

Excellent book and one of my favourites (probably top 10). That is a glorious edition indeed, although I am fond of my 1950s UK paperback

@michaelk.vaughan8617

2 жыл бұрын

I bet.

That is a gorgeous edition.

Gorgeous edition! Happy belated birthday 🎂.

@michaelk.vaughan8617

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

I think I Am Legend really helped bolster the horror genre and show that it could have some genuine literary merit. That ending...It still blows me away. Possibly the greatest twist ending ever written. And even though it can barely be considered a novel, it never felt rushed or too thin. Very well plotted.

@michaelk.vaughan8617

2 жыл бұрын

I agree. Brilliant ending.

Beautiful edition for a fascinating book.

This is possibly my all time favourite book. I really enjoyed seeing you talking about the hunt for great editions of your favourite books, and about I Am Legend in particular. Totally agree with your assessment of the book.

I remember liking this novel, but not loving it. Not sure I would spring for a Folio edition, but man is that awesome.

Happy Birthday !!!!

What a great edition!!

YOU are legend on BookTube! Look at how fast your subscriber count has been going up! Seems like yesterday that I congratulated you on 2K and now you’re racing towards 3K!

@michaelk.vaughan8617

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah, thanks. It’s a little weird how the channel has grown lately.

Suntup also put out a super fancy edition a while back (in three fanciness levels), but those are even more expensive and definitely harder to find than the Folio. So -- nice score for you on a great book!

@pbofan

Жыл бұрын

Even more scarce is the one-of-100 Centipede Press edition…copies very rarely show up for sale, but if they do they’re close to four figures.

Cracking novel, and that's a beautiful edition!

That is an absolutely gorgeous copy of an absolutely fantastic story! I've read it multiple times and been less entertained with each film adaptation. I have a decent paperback version but may have to splurge on a Folio Society copy. Thank you for sharing!

This review was so interesting and insightful! Am going to the bookstore tomorrow and am going to look this one up. Thanks for your amazing videos!

@michaelk.vaughan8617

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching!

While I mostly read books digitally, I can appreciate a well-crafted edition! Folio Society books are definitely the best! I've heard of the I Am Legend movie, but didn't even realize it was a vampire story. It sounds like a really interesting novel!

@michaelk.vaughan8617

2 жыл бұрын

They made the Vampires weird zombie things in the last film version. So lame.

It is a fantastic book. Slightly amazed that it can be that big even with artwork as it is almost novella sized. Almost. Yet so much packed into it in terms of storytelling.

Beautiful book. I happened to finish Matheson's first novel "Someone Is Bleeding" today. A fun noir romp, but it can't hold a candle to "I Am Legend." No surprise there.

@michaelk.vaughan8617

2 жыл бұрын

I read that one years ago. Don’t remember much about it. No Folio edition for that one!

Beautiful edition! I still need to read I Am Legend. (I know, I know)

It hasn’t got vampires in it, but I do consider Huck Finn to be one of the great adventure stories

I prefer his "Hell House." I like ghost stories more than Vampire stories.....but "I Am Legend" is still worth reading of course.

nice scientific approach to vampires is given in 1984 short story by Bob Leman: The Pilgrimage of Clifford M.

Great book. I have the terrible movie tie in edition. 🤦🏻‍♀️ I hate those movie tie in covers. That folio edition is beautiful.

@michaelk.vaughan8617

2 жыл бұрын

In 40 years the movie version will seem nostalgic. It will take that long for that one.

I have a huge collection of Easton Press books.

@michaelk.vaughan8617

2 жыл бұрын

I envy you. Those are really nice books.

I have that edition. Gifted by myself.

@michaelk.vaughan8617

10 ай бұрын

That was a good idea. Great edition.

I love this novel you can certainly see the influence on Stephen King from the first page onwards....And totally influential in terms of zombie/vampire novels and movies....I will read the shrinking man this year... I believe he penned some star trek OS also (?)

@paulmonahawk4921

2 жыл бұрын

Examined to death...and beyond...

@michaelk.vaughan8617

2 жыл бұрын

I know he did Star Trek but I can’t remember the episode. Unless I’m getting him confused with Robert Bloch doing Star Trek.

That is a beautiful edition of a fantastic book. I'm more of a whatever edition, used copy, not too much underlining, are all the pages there, I just want to read the thing reader, but I do have and appreciate the beautiful editions that are sometimes put out. This book is an amazing story, and I really like the first adaptation to film, "The Last Man on Earth" with Vincent Price.

@michaelk.vaughan8617

2 жыл бұрын

That Vincent Price movie was the best of the film versions.

The Bookish Report never sent me anything for My Birthday. 😢 He is Rubbish 🗑. LoL You are special Michael. 👍😁👍

@michaelk.vaughan8617

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks! Glad I’m not rubbish!

@jamesfetcho6315

2 жыл бұрын

@@michaelk.vaughan8617 👍😁👍

Brilliant ! Matheson has become one of my favourite authors, and he can write in many different genres too. In Australia your mission will cost you about a million dollars.😂😂 (Spoiler alert) I didnt realise the group he is captured by at the end, are vampires ! Hmmm - oh well, another re-read 😉😉

I really want to read this one. I've heard from lots of people that it's good.

@michaelk.vaughan8617

2 жыл бұрын

So very good!

(SPOILER ALERT!) I was such a wreck when that dog died! 😭 And that flip in perspective in the final paragraphs blew my mind 🤯

@michaelk.vaughan8617

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, I felt the same about the dog scene. The ending was fantastic.

I finished “I Am Legend” two weeks ago. I was really into the book until the end. It seemed like the author got tired of the book and ended it abruptly. It was not a good ending for me and took away my hope for something better to come.

Anything fee is good

I read this book because of this video and didn't like it very much. The best part was the beginning where we learn how he survives. I recommend Robinson Crusoe instead for a book with similar themes of isolation and survival.

I found the movie horrific, cannot watch it again, I think it the dog scene that got me !

@michaelk.vaughan8617

2 жыл бұрын

I was not a fan of that film. That said, there is a pretty rough dog scene in the book too.