From the Bookshelf of ChiArts AP Language & Composition…

Flowers for Algernon

Daniel Keyes

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Jan 27, 2014 Monica Casanova rated it it was amazing

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I absolutely love everything about this book. The author found a way to transform this character from a person who had little mental capability to function as an educated adult in the world and his transition to entering another extreme of being unable to engage socially with others because of his inept intelligence which often shooed people away. The spectrum of mental illnesses were played very well here. In my opinion, which ever end you're on, whether it's being mentally unable to conform wi I absolutely love everything about this book. The author found a way to transform this character from a person who had little mental capability to function as an educated adult in the world and his transition to entering another extreme of being unable to engage socially with others because of his inept intelligence which often shooed people away. The spectrum of mental illnesses were played very well here. In my opinion, which ever end you're on, whether it's being mentally unable to conform with the rest of society or being so intellectually superior you can't even try to conform with society, they are both equally mental illnesses.

Daniel Keyes really was able to grab emotion and take us through each of Charlie's phases. His journal entries touched me as I felt I got to know him more and more. It was extremely interesting to be able to "watch" his innocence shed layer by layer as he grew to learn more and more about the world around him and his past.

The character's names, I feel, play a large part in their role and significance. Charlie, often resinating as a child's name registers greatly with his persona in the book since he demonstrates a lot of innocence. His teacher was always extremely kinda and attentive and her name, Alice, reminds me of Alice in Wonderland and her good heart and genuine desire to do good. As Charlie's teacher, her largest concern was his safety during this experiment. His mother Rose truly fulfills the meaning of a rose. With the beauty and pungent scent and appearance, it must not be forgotten that roses have thorns and can cut deep. By being the resilient and caring mother she was for Charlie in his early years she demonstrates the beauty in a rose, but when she decides she cannot handle is disability, she send him away, cutting a deep wound in the family by lying to the sister that he is dead. The list can go on about the character names, but it's something I feel did not get much recognition and the author did a stupendous job at making those names fit so perfectly for EVERY character.
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Jul 04, 2024 Ananda Badili marked it as to-read

Dec 04, 2021 Niani marked it as to-read

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