All I knew about this book was that there was a movie with Wil Smith. Thankfully, I didn't see it because, from what I have read, the movie veered quite a bit from the original story. I also did not know that this book was published in 1954.

I have been in a mood to read some apocalyptic/dystopian fiction and this title kept getting recommended so I dove in.

Basically the premise is that some sort of plague has wiped out the human race and everyone has been turned into a vampire. Except, that is, for Robert Neville. Somehow, Robert is immune and has managed to survive and as far as he is aware, he is the last human left alive.

The book spans a period of just a few years during which Robert grieves for all that he has lost, including his wife and daughter. He has fortified his home and bides his time during the day scavenging for food and supplies. Robert also hunts for and kills any sleeping vampires he finds. During the night he drinks too much and hunkers down as the vampires surround his home and try to lure him out.

Robert discovers through trial and error that the legends regarding vampires are true. They can be kept away with garlic, crosses and mirrors. They can't be killed by bullets, but a stake through the heart will instantly liquefy them. And, of course, there's the no daylight thing. Eventually, with the help from books at the local library and some laboratory equipment he finds, Robert goes on a mission to find a cure. However, all of this is for naught as the vampires find him first.

The storytelling is very nuanced. There's a quite a few thought provoking themes that Matheson skims the surface of ever so slightly.

The novel is a mirror held up to humanity, asking us to consider how we define "us" and "them," how we adapt to change, and whether we can overcome our own fears and prejudices. These themes are timeless and increasingly relevant in today’s world.