I Am History - Hardcover

I Am History is a darkly humorous post-apocalyptic story following Henry, a middle-aged bank clerk stranded in a New York City overrun by vampire-like creatures. The world has collapsed, leaving Henry isolated in his fortified forty-story penthouse, surviving on scavenged food and his wits. By day, he sleeps in fits, avoiding the creatures that shun sunlight; by night, he performs stand-up comedy on a stage bathed in harsh lights-the very lights that repel the creatures-turning humor into a weapon and a lifeline.

As Henry navigates this ruined city, he clings to routines that give him a sense of control: locking his car, maintaining his non-functioning fridge, and revisiting fragments of his past. Memory loss and disorientation blur the line between reality and imagination, heightening both suspense and dark comedy. A mysterious figure emerges in a dreamlike blackout sequence, hinting at connections Henry doesn't yet understand, and forcing him to confront his loneliness, fear, and fading grip on reality.

The story's tone balances horror, absurdity, and quiet poignancy. The vampires are terrifying yet constrained, unable to climb many stairs or approach sunlight, creating tense but often ironic encounters. Through his comedy, Henry exposes both the fragility of civilization and the resilience of human creativity. Small, vivid details-a shattered car windshield, a bloodstained baseball cap, a worn-out Walkman-anchor the narrative in immediacy and emotional texture.

I Am History is a meditation on survival, memory, and the human need for connection, told with a sharp eye for irony and dark humor. It's a story where fear meets laughter, where isolation breeds reflection, and where a man's wits-and his sense of absurdity-are the only things keeping him alive.