Flowers for Algernon
by Daniel Keyes
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Book Summary Information
Author: Daniel KeyesEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2005-05-01
ISBN: 0156030306
Number of pages: 324
Publisher: Mariner Books
Book Reviews of Flowers for Algernon
Book Review: "Brilliant" And "Masterpiece" Are Not Hyperbole In This Case
Summary: 5 Stars
If you are a true lover of literature, you probably have a handful of novels that will always be cherished for as long as you live. For me, "Flowers For Algernon" is such a book. (I have read both the original 'novella' as well as the expanded novel, and like the novella the best. Also, I eventually saw the movie "Charly", based on this story, and thought it was hugely inferior to the book).
I will never forget my beloved 7th grade ('76-'77) 'high-English' teacher, Mrs. Colette Heideman -- my favorite I ever had, I think. Among the many terrific things she did was to assign this story for us to read. It moved me deeply, and does to this day. The story shows so powerfully how profoundly wrong it is to equate a human being's true worth simply to their IQ, and such like. No, the essence of what makes a person worthy of dignity and decency is something much deeper. (I believe it is derived from their being created in the image of God Himself).
Spoiler Warning.
The hardest I've ever cried while reading a story happened with this one. At the end, as Charlie's intellect is deteriorating, he realizes what is happening. In his journal he writes something like (I'm going from memory), "i dont know why im dum agen. maybe I dint try hard enuff." When I read these words my insides collapsed in a gush of tears. Fortunately I was alone in my room.
I use words like "brilliant" and "masterpiece" sparingly, but "Flowers for Algernon" truly merits such superlatives. BTW, adding to this story's poignancy for me, dear Mrs. Heideman was killed in a car accident three years after I had her as my teacher. I loved her and always remember her when I think of this story.
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