Richard Matheson

Richard Matheson was an American author and screenwriter, primarily known for his work in the fantasy, horror, and science fiction genres. His most famous works include the novel 'I Am Legend', which has been adapted into films multiple times, and 'The Shrinking Man', which was also adapted for the big screen. Matheson also wrote numerous television episodes for 'The Twilight Zone', including the iconic 'Nightmare at 20,000 Feet'. His influence on genre storytelling has been profound, inspiring countless writers and filmmakers.

Books

This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

  1. 1. I Am Legend

    The novel is a post-apocalyptic horror story that centers around a solitary man who may be the last human alive on earth after a pandemic has turned the rest of humanity into vampire-like creatures. He spends his days fortifying his home, hunting for food, and killing these creatures while they sleep. At night, he is tormented by their attempts to break into his home and kill him. His isolation drives him to the brink of insanity, and the novel explores themes of loneliness, survival, and the human capacity for hope in the face of utter despair.

  2. 2. The Shrinking Man

    The novel follows the story of Scott Carey, who, after being exposed to a combination of pesticides and radiation, begins to shrink at a rate of one-seventh of an inch per day. As he becomes smaller and smaller, Carey must face not only the physical dangers of his ever-decreasing size but also the psychological trauma of becoming less significant in a world that seems to be growing larger and more threatening. His struggle for survival becomes both a physical battle with creatures like spiders and a philosophical inquiry into the nature of existence, identity, and what it truly means to be human in the face of incomprehensible circumstances.

  3. 3. Bid Time Return

    The novel centers around a disenchanted and lonely playwright who, while staying at a historic hotel, becomes captivated by a photograph of a beautiful stage actress from the late 19th century. Obsessively drawn to her, he discovers a way to time travel and meets the actress in the past, where they embark on a deeply passionate and bittersweet romance. As he navigates the complexities of time and love, he must confront the heart-wrenching reality that their time together may be fleeting and that their love, while timeless, faces insurmountable obstacles.