Flowers for Algernon, by Daniel Keyes - 4.5 stars

[Josh]

This is my first review for this group - please forgive any formatting deviations.

Flowers for Algernon, by Daniel Keyes.- I've recently reignited my passion for reading, and I have been catching up on a lot of classic novels I've missed. Now, I'm kicking myself for not reading this book sooner.

Keyes's writing is clever, letting the reader see one step ahead, particularly as Charlie makes his first steps towards his fully realized genius. The formatting of his 'progress reports' gives an intimate perspective through every stage of Charlie's transformation and regression. Keyes effortlessly escalates and pulls back the language, prose, and intricacy to weave a seamless portrait of a man caught perpetually in misunderstanding.

I'm not a very fast reader, but I finished Algernon in one sitting, a little over four hours. I was totally engrossed, right from the beginning. Barring a few sections when Charlie is at the peak of his intelligence, I found it to be an easy page turner. Every entry in Charlie's journal is deliberately crafted, urging the reader to connect the dots and craft a narrative between the lines.

The only issue I took with the novel is some of its dated language and ideas, particularly around women. Some of it is deliberate, as we see the world through the emotionally stunted eyes of Charlie, but some is just poor characterization that is a product of its era.

Flowers for Algernon, 4.5/5 stars.

[Rachel N.]

Great first review. I read this book way back when I was in high school. It might be time for a re-read.

[Jgrace]

Thanks for this review.
I've also been thinking about rereading this book ever since I finished Bewilderment. Some of the references in Algernon are undoubtably dated, but the overriding message is still relevant.

[Peacejanz]

Good review. Thanks. And, (sorry to say), you will find more and more language and attitudes changing as you get older. I am pushing 80 and when I first read that book, I found nothing offensive to women. Of course, I was very young and did not know much. Please keep reading and reviewing. You will only get wiser and learn more things. peace, janz

[Theresa]

I read this in high school as well, early 70s, and certainly did not notice anything wrong with the attitudes toward women. That changed very soon for me as I attended Barnard College a couple years after!

I do remember crying my eyes out.

This is a great review and I look forward to reading more.

[Robin P]

It was an amazing story when it came out, very original. The movie is pretty terrible, though. One of the many thought-provoking things is how being smarter doesn't make Charley happier, he starts to understand how people were being mean to him, and they resent him being smart.

[Josh]

Robin P wrote: "One of the many thought-provoking things is how being smarter doesn't make Charley happier, he starts ..."

Totally agreed. Scanning back through a few days later, its very difficult to find many places where Charlie is truly happy. Perhaps for a few days when him and Alice were living together, before he became short-tempered and irritable. I'll have to reread that section, there must be something important to draw from it...

[Kelly]

I remember parts of this from middle school and it was a very interesting read that contributed to a lot of discussions in class!