I forgot to add that there is a specific reference in the novel to Robinson Crusoe, and in some ways Matheson explores a fusion of both that novel from Defoe and his Journal of the Plague Year.
Really interesting discussion of this science fiction horror classic. Of course it’s one of my favorites. I remember how blown away by it I was the first time I read it. Odd how the movies just can’t seem to get this one right.
Thanks for the kind words, Michael! It’s incredible that Matheson was able to squeeze so much in a short novel. We get science fiction around how the plague occurs and how vampires can be slayed, social psychology around religion and apocalyptic hysteria, Robinson Crusoe style survival, and then all of the dark existentialism that Matheson is ultimately interested in. It’s definitely a book I love! I suspect the films are afraid of taking it all the way through. Few productions do go that far, though the 1978 Invasion of the Body Snatchers comes to mind. Hope you’re well! Cheers, Jack
Wow, this one seems a little outside your normal wheelhouse, Jack, 😁 but I was really happy to see you cover I Am Legend. 😃 I concur, there's so much more to it than just a simple horror story. And I do contend that it has probably the best twist ending ever, except maybe for Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. The movies just never can get it right, although I've heard the Vincent Price one comes closest. (And I see your edition also contains Hell House. Putting I Am Legend and Hell House in the same binding is somewhat ironic. I Am Legend is a cerebral/existential horror story written with great intelligence. Hell House, on the other hand, is truly one of the dumbest books I think I've ever read.😂) Anyway, great take! 😄
Thanks, Tyler! I enjoy horror quite a bit, but I find myself jumping around genres/periods/authors pretty frequently. The ending really elevates what is already an amazing work. I’ve read a number of Matheson’s stories, but never Hell House. (Is it secretly an inspiration for that 1980s series, House?!?). Cheers, Jack
It’s such an extraordinary book! Matheson was so good at taking a strange idea and using it as a vehicle to really plumb humanity. Have you read The Shrinking Man?
I forgot to add that there is a specific reference in the novel to Robinson Crusoe, and in some ways Matheson explores a fusion of both that novel from Defoe and his Journal of the Plague Year.
Really interesting discussion of this science fiction horror classic. Of course it’s one of my favorites. I remember how blown away by it I was the first time I read it. Odd how the movies just can’t seem to get this one right.
Thanks for the kind words, Michael! It’s incredible that Matheson was able to squeeze so much in a short novel. We get science fiction around how the plague occurs and how vampires can be slayed, social psychology around religion and apocalyptic hysteria, Robinson Crusoe style survival, and then all of the dark existentialism that Matheson is ultimately interested in. It’s definitely a book I love!
I suspect the films are afraid of taking it all the way through. Few productions do go that far, though the 1978 Invasion of the Body Snatchers comes to mind. Hope you’re well!
Cheers, Jack
I paused so I could read this. You made it sounds really good.
I hope you enjoy it when you have a chance to read it, Brian, and I hope this week is going as well as it can for you.
Best, Jack
Wow, this one seems a little outside your normal wheelhouse, Jack, 😁 but I was really happy to see you cover I Am Legend. 😃 I concur, there's so much more to it than just a simple horror story. And I do contend that it has probably the best twist ending ever, except maybe for Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. The movies just never can get it right, although I've heard the Vincent Price one comes closest. (And I see your edition also contains Hell House. Putting I Am Legend and Hell House in the same binding is somewhat ironic. I Am Legend is a cerebral/existential horror story written with great intelligence. Hell House, on the other hand, is truly one of the dumbest books I think I've ever read.😂) Anyway, great take! 😄
Thanks, Tyler! I enjoy horror quite a bit, but I find myself jumping around genres/periods/authors pretty frequently. The ending really elevates what is already an amazing work.
I’ve read a number of Matheson’s stories, but never Hell House. (Is it secretly an inspiration for that 1980s series, House?!?).
Cheers, Jack
This is one my favorite novels of all time! I love how excited you are about it ❤.
It’s such an extraordinary book! Matheson was so good at taking a strange idea and using it as a vehicle to really plumb humanity. Have you read The Shrinking Man?
@@ramblingraconteur1616 Yes I have and I loved that one as well!
Wonderful video Jack! 😊👍
Thanks, Summer! It’s one of my favorite horror novels. I hope you’re well.
Cheers, Jack
Great to hear your thoughts about this one. It sounds MUCH more interesting and stimulating than the terrible movie adaptation!
Hahaha, the novel is exponentially better than the most recent adaptation, Tom. Matheson was a superb writer. Hope you’re well!
Cheers, Jack
@@ramblingraconteur1616 Thanks, all good here in L.A.!