I Am Legend (Novel)

The novel I Am Legend was written by American author Richard Matheson and published in 1954. Matheson was a legendary figure in horror and science fiction literature, also known for writing works like The Shrinking Man and Hell House.

The 1954 novel ends with a famous twist where Robert Neville realizes he is the monster to the new society of infected humans, whereas the 2007 Will Smith film ends with a heroic sacrifice. The book's thematic focus is significantly darker and centers more on psychological isolation.

Yes, George A. Romero has explicitly credited Richard Matheson's I Am Legend as the primary inspiration for his iconic 1968 film Night of the Living Dead. The novel's concept of a world overrun by undead creatures effectively birthed the modern zombie and vampire apocalypse genres.

The story follows Robert Neville, who appears to be the last surviving human in a world overrun by a pandemic that turns people into vampire-like creatures. He spends his days fortifying his home, hunting the infected, and desperately trying to find a cure using his own immune blood.