I Am Legend by Richard Matheson follows Robert Neville, seemingly the last man alive after a mysterious pandemic transforms humanity into vampire-like creatures. By day, he fortifies his home, scavenges for supplies, and researches the bacteria responsible for the catastrophe. By night, the infected surround his house, mocking him and calling his name. As Neville battles isolation, despair, and alcoholism, he gradually uncovers the scientific truth behind the plague. The novel's haunting twist redefines its title: to the new species that has inherited the Earth, Neville himself is the monster—a terrifying legend who slaughtered thousands in their sleep.
