Richard Matheson was one of the most influential authors of the 20th century. He wrote several books throughout his lifetime. Amongst them are: ‘I Am Legend,’ ‘The Shrinking Man,’ and ‘Bid Time Return.’ Collaborating with one of his children, who was also an author, the book ‘Pride’ got published by Gauntlet Press in 2002. Books and movies were usually a source of inspiration for the author. His audience described him as a renaissance man who did not stick to one genre.
Although his first written novel was not published until 2005, he published his greatly influential novel, ‘I Am Legend’ in 1954.
I Am Legend
‘I Am Legend ‘ is a dystopian novel set in post-apocalyptic Los Angeles in the immediate aftermath of a nuclear war that caused cataclysmic environmental conditions and a weekly dust storm that helped spread the spores of a dangerous bacteria, triggering a plague. The bacteria turned its victims into vampiric creatures who can only be killed by sunlight and stakes through their chests. Inexplicably immune to this bacteria, the protagonist, Robert Neville, tries to keep the monsters of the night away from his home while struggling to survive in a world that has changed and left him behind. Published in 1954, the novel has been adapted into three films and has inspired generations of authors, screenwriters, and filmmakers.
What Dreams May Come
After he died of his injuries following a car crash, Chris Nielson discovers that he is still conscious. At first, he thinks he is still alive but caught in a nightmare till he is approached by a man who later turns out to be his cousin Albert. Albert tells him to concentrate on pleasant memories and a life outside the mortal plane. After a while, he follows the man’s advice and wakes up in Summerland, an endless plane that takes the form of the desires of its inhabitant. When he learns of his wife’s suicide and her confinement to a bleak region below Summerland, he decides to rescue her with Albert’s help. This novel was adapted into an Academy Award-winning film of the same name in 1998.
The Shrinking Man
After ingesting an insecticide and then being caught in a radioactive cloud while on holiday, Scott Carey discovers, to his great distress, that he is shrinking at a rate of 36mm per day. Scott has to learn to navigate life as he continues to shrink in size, and everyday objects and animals which he used to overlook become mortal threats. ‘The Shrinking Man’ has been adapted into the 1957 film ‘The Incredible Shrinking Man’ and served as the basis for the 1981 film ‘The Incredible Shrinking Woman.’ It has also inspired a fascination with shrinking things and people in generations of filmmakers and authors.
Bid Time Return
After being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor, Richard Collier decides, on a toss of a coin, to spend the rest of his remaining life around the Hotel Del Coronado. At the hotel, the photograph of a popular stage actress, Elise Mckenna, who used to work there in the 1890s, mesmerizes him.
He discovers a way to send himself to the past with his mind and succeeds after many tries, finding himself in the 1890s. He meets Elise but is tongue-tied, and to his surprise, she asks him, ”Is it you?”. Soon, they start a romantic relationship. Suspecting that Richard is after Elise’s money, her manager becomes hostile to him. One night when Richard is leaving his room, he bumps into Robinson (Elise’s manager), and they fight. Managing to return to his room, Richard casually picks a coin out of his pocket, realizing too late that it was a coin from 1970. The sight of the coin pushes him to the present. The novel was adapted into the sci-fi movie ‘Somewhere In Time.’ Even though the movie was derided by critics, it went on to win several awards, including the Saturn Award for Best Costume, Best Music, and Best Fantasy Film.
Hell House
A physicist, his wife, and two mediums are hired by a dying millionaire to investigate the possibility of life after death with a one-week deadline. They have to enter the Belasco House in Maine, infamous for being the most haunted house in the world. The house was once occupied by Emeric Belasco, who carried out horrific perverse and blasphemous acts in it, whi’ch earned it the name ‘Hell House’. Everyone who enters the house dies. As the group spends more time in and moves around the house, it begins to prey on their weaknesses, slowly corrupting them physically and mentally. This book was originally published in 1971. In 1973, it was adapted into a film titled ‘The Legend of Hell House’. In 2004, the novel was adapted as a comic book mini-series written by Ian Edginton and published by IDW Publishing.
FAQs
What is ‘I Am Legend’ about?
‘I Am Legend’ is a dystopian novel set in post-apocalyptic Los Angeles in the immediate aftermath of a nuclear war that caused cataclysmic environmental conditions and a weekly dust storm that helped spread the spores of a dangerous bacteria, triggering a plague. The bacteria turned its victims into vampiric creatures who can only be killed by sunlight and stakes through their chests.
What book did Richard Matheson and his son work on together?
Collaborating with one of his children, who was also an author, the book ‘Pride’ got published by Gauntlet Press in 2002. This book by Richard Matheson and Richard Christian Matheson contained a replica of the senior Matheson’s first handwritten draft, his son’s first typewritten draft with notes and corrections, and the teleplay alliance that combined features of both.
When was ‘The Shrinking Man’ adapted into film?
‘The Shrinking Man’ was originally published in 1956. Since then, it has been adapted into the 1957 film ‘The Incredible Shrinking Man’ and served as the basis for the 1981 film ‘The Incredible Shrinking Woman.’ It has also inspired a fascination with shrinking things and people in generations of filmmakers and authors.
When was ‘Hell House’ Published?
‘Hell House’ was originally published in 1971. In 1973, it was adapted into a film titled ‘The Legend of Hell House’.  In 2004, the novel was adapted as a comic book mini-series written by Ian Edginton and published by IDW Publishing. The story is about four people – a physicist, his wife, and two mediums.
