The Incredible Shrinking Man

The literal downward spiral into the unknown is this classic adventure horror story's essence. The Incredible Shrinking Man begins with our hero Scott Carey being sprayed by a strange mist and from that moment on he begins to shrink little by little each day.

The story switches between scenes from the beginning of his reduction, tackling issues such as the breakdown of his professional life and marriage. The loss of his confidence and manhood is evident as the once proud and self assured protagonist is reduced to relying on the help and sympathy of others like a child. Alternate chapters show the later stages of his reduction, once he has lost contact with his family and become no bigger than an insect. He roams a basement looking to survive the torments of his nemesis; a spider. These final stages of his demise into oblivion are very high on suspense and chilling dangers.

Matheson is able with subtle sentences cut right through to the horror and the nightmarish reality of Scott's new existence as each passing day brings him a slow step closer to the unknown without even the reassurance of death. A classic science fiction horror story by one of the greatest writer's in the genre, who, with inventive dilemmas has influenced writers and inspired many film adaptations of his work. Be absorbed by one of this suspense master's greatest works.