First published in 1954, this SF-novel -situated between 1986 and 1989- has been filmed 3 times. According to SF-fans, none, not even the one starring Will Smith, betters this book, which this reader finds truly scary.
A mysterious, deadly disease has spread worldwide and there is only 1 true survivor, the other surviving nightly creatures are human vampires. Robert (R) lives in a suburb of LA. He lost his wife and daughter in the pandemic.
During daylight Robert is safe and can move about on foot or by car through deserted streets, take whatever he needs from abandoned supermarkets, shops, libraries, to defend himself against what happens when night falls.
After dark R is on the defensive and prays for daybreak to come. Each morning he checks and repairs damage to his home inflicted by crowds of mutants led by an ex-colleague and friend. Because of the living dead he protects his barricaded home with bright lights, home-grown garlic and crosses. They howl every night for him to come out, throw stones, try to invade his home to feed on his blood...
R is a desperate, organized person. With his house made nearly impregnable and with less smoking and drinking (he has stocked up on both in his late daughter's bedroom), RN becomes a researcher, using the silent library and specialized shops to get the materials needed to figure out what exactly is the matter with the mutants he finds dead on his lawn each morning. Etc., etc. Dear readers, I have disclosed only 30% of what happens and follows next.
This is a short but very, very rich book and a superior piece of nonsense, which is what SF is about. This reader is no great fan of SF, but this is a true masterpiece!
