Flowers for Algernon

Flowers for Algernon

By Daniel Keyes

8 ratings 8 reviews 13 followers
Interest LevelReading LevelReading A-ZATOSWord Count
Grades 9 - 12Grades 10 - 9Z5.882873
Oscar-winning film Charly starring Cliff Robertson and Claire Bloom-a mentally challenged man receives an operation that turns him into a genius...and introduces him to heartache.
Publisher: Gollancz
ISBN-13: 9780575116740
ISBN-10: 0575116749
Published on 9/1/2011
Binding: Hardcover
Number of pages: 256

Book Reviews (9)

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Sara Karimi Sara Karimi

This is the best book

I read this book for school and I absolutely loved it!

i never read this book and idk how to read it on here so do u know

Impressed about book.

Flowers for Algernon features mentally impaired Charlie Gordon who is to keep a progress report journal so that neurosurgeons Dr. Nemur and Dr. Strauss could keep track of his intelligence growth. Charlie was born with an under-average IQ of 68 and had a weak creative intelligence. However, he was always motivated to be smart because he feels he will be just like everyone else if he keeps trying. The doctors soon gave him an operation that was to triple his IQ to 204 (which would be above genius). He soon became friends with a white mouse named Algernon who also went through the same operation as Charlie to become smart. Both Charlie and Algernon completed mazes every day to test their intelligence. Charlie was originally made fun of at work for being "mentally retarded" but he was soon fired because he became a genius within a week. Everyone thought he was strange and he became more lonely. Algernon sadly reached the side effects of the operation and lost its life. Charlie was soon losing his intelligence rapidly and his ability to read and write fluently. When Algernon died, Charlie put flowers on its grave for the loss of his best friend. Charlie decided to start a new life in New York where no one would know he was a genius once. Honestly, this book was very touching and portrayed that it is not a person's fault they are not perceived to be smart. We also learn that an IQ cannot measure the full capability of a person's mind.

read the book and I loved it

This book, Flowers for Algernon, is one of the deepest and most creative book I've ever read during 2015. In this story, the man character Charlie starts of to be a retarded person who works at his uncle's bakery. From the time he started to go to school, he was bullied and teased by everyone, even his own mother and sister. One day, a group of scientists and doctors offered to do a surgery on him where he would become a genius. Although this surgery is doned only for the second time, with the first being done on a mouse named Algernon, Charlie accepts. His life makes a 360 degree change and he starts to have different relationships with people and the world. My favorite character is Alice Kinnian, she is the teacher and love interest of Charlie. I really like her because she is a really cheerful and optimistic person and is always trying to help people. Even though Charlie came a long way, she always tried to help him and stood by his side. I would totally recommend this book to everyone because it is unique and unlike any book you've read before, trust me!

This book is really detailed and descriptive. The book is about a man named Charlie. He has a hard time just making friends and fitting in with the world. Charlie has a rare mental disability.One day Charlie is presented the opportunity to go into a life changing society to help him gain intelligence and make new friends. A mouse named Algernon helps Charlie gain intelligence. Charlie dose start to gain intelligence but the he loses his memory again. This book is really sad. My mom read it when she was my age and she said it made her really sad. Even though this book is sad I still like it a lot. I gave this book 4 stars because it was pretty good. 2 thumbs up!

Flowers for Algernon is one of those books that stands the test of time. Even though it was published in 1966, many of the concepts found within the story still apply today, and it really makes you think about how progressive the book is. The story centers around a retarded man named Charlie Gordon. Living in a world where retardation is often looked down upon, Charlie struggles to make friends and fit in with the rest of society, until one day, when he is presented with the opportunity to undergo a life changing operation to gain intelligence. Flowers for Algernon contains many themes based on psychology, ethics, religion, and identity, which are all woven into an intriguing and memorable story. If anyone chooses to read this book, I suggest picking up the uncensored version. Although it has mature themes, I feel like this book should be read to the fullest in order to not miss out on anything. Have a good day.

I read most of this book.It was sort of hard to understand for me, but it sends a really good message to readers.Charlie has a mental disability.There is an operation to make him smarter.He then goes for it and has done.He meets this mouse named Algernon and they use it to experiment with Charlie to see if he has improved.He does.But sadly, by the end of the story though he has mental deterioration again and starts not being smart again.It really hurts him,and it's really sad.It's sort of for older readers (Grades 7-12).It's because it's a difficult story to understand and it's really long.But overall it's a good, well written book for when you are older.