Flowers for Algernon (1966)

Years ago I saw the movie, Charly, with Cliff Robertson. I thought, having seen the movie, that there was really no reason to read the book. I was wrong. What a poignant, sad and moving tale this is, told from the point of view of Charlie Gordon, who goes from retardation to genius and experiences the world from two completely different human conditions. That it is written in Charlie’s own words is inspired. As Charlie begins to understand things about his life and recover his memories, there is a kind of sadness that goes with the knowledge that is bittersweet.

I could not help thinking about the story in the news last week that Down’s Syndrome has been almost eradicated in Iceland through the use of abortion. I wondered if this book didn’t speak volumes about the dangers of wanting everyone to be perfect and how much we might be missing when we discount the value of those who have disabilities, physical or mental.

I am sorry I waited so long to read this, but I treasure the experience. This one will go right into my favorites folder.

Special thanks to Candi, who pushed me to read this wonderful book.
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Poignant. ( )

I first read the short story in eighth grade as an assignment. To this day, I remember how sad it was. I checked the paperback out as an adult today, thinking there would be themes i hadn't been aware of at thirteen. There were (duh). It was like reading two separate stories within one book, and I was engaged the whole time. my heart broke routinely over Algernon, especially as his decline progressed. Honestly, i cared more about him than I did Charlie, because Charlie spends a fair amount of the novel being a huge jerk. I was horrified at how poorly he was treated before the operation, all over again. I empathized with him at times. I still prefer the short story form. Miss Kinian creeps me out. He's your student, you goddamn wierdo, and you -knew- he'd regress. The other girlfriend was a character foil, and I didn't like her either. I liked what she did for the story, but not her personality. The author who wrote this might have had a problem with women, honestly, now that I think of all the women in the novel version. I'm glad I read the novel, but I don't think I'll read it again. ( )

Excellent read. Moving and thought provoking. Especially amazing considering it is from the 1950s. ( )

4.5 Stars. Really good book. Amazing really, for the timeframe that it was orginally written in. ( )