I Am Legend by Richard Matheson

I Am Legend by Richard Matheson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I first came across this story in the form of Charlton Heston's post apocalyptic film called "The Omega Man" as I kid which as always fascinated me with the desolated city(set in 1970's Los Angeles I believe) where a lone man survives and battles against mysterious creatures by night. I didn't find out until adulthood that it was based upon this story.

The story follows Robert Neville is alone after what is speculated to be an airborne virus that if it doesn't eventually kill you turns you into something in-between that are like a vampire/zombie mix who relentlessly seek out other survivors who only venture out at night. He constantly battles loneliness and sorrow. He barricades himself at night, By day he hunts down these vampire-like creatures to kill them and also spends time trying to figure out what happened(this is where the airborne virus theory comes from). Eventually he comes across another woman survivor but it turns out she isn't exactly who or what she first says she is. I won't spoil the rest.

The book also contains other short stories that are along the horror genre. The stories reminded of reading Stephen King which isn't surprising as he's quoted on the cover as Matheson being a big influence on him which is easily apparent after reading the book. If you are a fan of King then I think you'd enjoy this book very much.

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The Accidental Tourist by Anne Tyler

The Accidental Tourist by Anne Tyler
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’ve enjoyed the movie for a long time but just recently read the book for the first time. The story seems to resonate a lot with me as I see a lot of Macon Leary in myself. Even more so after completing the book as it goes inside Macon deeper than the film did.

I’ll give the film credit for following the book very well. Obviously scenes or storylines were condensed or dropped completely. Many times reading the dialogue in book I remember it verbatim from the movie so I think they stayed as close to the book as possible.

Macon is the expert at avoiding anything uncomfortable or confrontational.
He keeps to himself and rarely expresses a desire or makes a tough decision for himself. Much of his life seems to be just going with the flow and letting others decide stuff.

Muriel Pritchard is pretty much the opposite. She’s open and shares everything up front. She is resourceful and hardworking. She is fiercely protective of her young boy. Her character is a slightly more harsh than the movie version but only by a little.

It is a heartwarming story with a quirky sense of humor at times. I feel like I learned a bit about relationships and life in general from. I’m sure I’ll revisit this book in the future as I seem so attached to the story.

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