Flowers for Algernon
 

Flowers for Algernon

by Daniel Keyes

Daniel Keyes wrote little SF but is highly regarded for one classic, Flowers for Algernon. As a 1959 novella it won a Hugo Award; the 1966 novel-length expansion won a Nebula. The Oscar-winning movie adaptation Charly (1968) also spawned a 1980 Broadway musical.
Following his doctor's instructions, engaging simpleton Charlie Gordon tells his own story in semi-literate "progris riports."... (read more)

Top tags: fictionscience fictionclassicyoung adultclassic literature (all tags)

 

Member Reviews

  • alstarle
    2 of 2 members found this review helpful.
    • Rated 5 stars

    As a psychology graduate, I found this book interesting in more ways than one. The main thing I realized after reading this is that we really don't know if to aspire to be "normal" or "like everyone else" is what's good in the long run. Charlie's story also touches on how science has lost its humanity by compartmentalizing aspects of human life and being overly subjective in their treatment of the people they wish to help. Charlie's realization of his rapidly-approaching mortality at the peak (and subsequent decline) of his artificial development was painful to read through, but as it gives us a glimpse of a mentally-challenged person's life, it also hints at ways on how we can make this world kinder to them.

    alstarle wrote this review Monday, December 24 2007. ( reply | permalink )
  • Katie K
    1 of 1 members found this review helpful.
    • Rated 4 stars

    This was a required book for me in junior high and it broke my heart. I consider that the sign of a great book.

    Katie K wrote this review Monday, November 5 2007. ( reply | permalink )
  • Tinky
    1 of 2 members found this review helpful.
    • Rated 2 stars

    One of the world's most beloved soap suds.

    Tinky wrote this review Friday, May 30 2008. ( reply | permalink )
  • ashleigh knotts
    • Rated 0 stars

    ummm this book didnt flow and it was confusing.

    ashleigh knotts wrote this review 4 hours ago. ( reply | permalink )
  • Barbara M
    • Rated 5 stars

    I saw the movie first and it was wonderful. I found out about the book and liked it even better. Short and very sweet and touching; by all means a tear-jerker.

    Barbara M wrote this review 3 days ago. ( reply | permalink )
  • gmbg62674
    • Rated 0 stars

    You'd be amazed how the author shifts from writing from the point of view of Charlie as a person with extremely low IQ to Charlie as a genius!

    gmbg62674 wrote this review 6 days ago. ( reply | permalink )
  • Susan S
    • Rated 0 stars

    One of my all time favorite short stories. This was required reading for a science fiction class I took and I ended up really appreciated moving outside my normal genre.

    Susan S wrote this review 2 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink )
  • Fiamma C©
    • Rated 0 stars

    A sad story about a man who became smart and learned a lot things, and yet thing's don't always go smooth.

    Fiamma C© wrote this review 2 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink )
  • Jeongwon LEE
    • Rated 4 stars

    I read this book really interestingly. It was the first English book that made me to keep reading through by myself. From the start to the end, I never felt boring at all.
    The story is mainly about the tragic life of a retarded adult, Charlie. It is written by Charlie himself, so as Charlie's intelligence changes the view and writing style changes correspondingly. And I consider this was the best aspect of this book which led me to an "addiction" to this book.


    Favorite Quote
    "One thing? I, like: about, Dear Miss Kinnian: (thats, the way? it goes; in a business, letter (if I ever go! into business?) is that, she: always gives me' a reason" when - I ask. She"s a gen'ius! I cou'd be smart like-her, Punctuation , is? fun!"
    This quote is at the very beginning part of the story. I indeed think it's extremely interesting that his retardedness and innocence are expressed at the same time. Puntuation is indeed fun, I agree!

    Favorite Scene
    Picking out a scene I liked was very difficult because there were lots of scenes I loved to read over again and again.
    To choose one of the best scenes in this book, the ending part, the last journal Charlie writes, is touching. Charlie once approached to a genius' brain by surgery, but soon he began to return to origin, and in this scene Charlie completely loses intelligence and memory as well. He makes spelling and grammar errors again. And what made most classmates and me to feel sad (some even sobbed) was that he doesn't recognize Alice at all, the teacher who had romantic relationship with him.

    What I Would Do as a college roommate
    Having a retarded roommate would bother me a lot for sure. And I am not really kind to help those people, so I would try to avoid facing Charlie or being in a same room with him. I might have to change myself to be kind to those people, but it's hard !

    Jeongwon LEE wrote this review 3 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink )
  • Maria M
    • Rated 5 stars

    It is possible that I over identify with the main character in this book, but I understand Charly's struggles. It is a good book and should be required reading.

    Maria M wrote this review Tuesday, August 5 2008. ( reply | permalink )
Displaying 1-10 of 154 reviews
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