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20 All Time Classic Sci Fi Novels - Flowers For Algernon (S.F. Masterworks)
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- Author: Daniel Keyes
- Type: Paperback
- ISBN: 1857989384
- Publisher: Gollancz
Synopsis
Daniel Keyes wrote little SF but is highly regarded for one classic, Flowers for Algernon. As a 1959 novella it won a Hugo award; the 1966 novel-length expansion won a Nebula. The Oscar-winning movie adaptation Charly (1968) also spawned a 1980 Broadway musical.
Following his doctor's instructions, engaging simpleton Charlie Gordon tells his own story in a semi-literate "progris riports". He dimly wants to better himself but with an IQ of 68 can't even beat the laboratory mouse Algernon at maze-solving:
I dint feel bad because I watched Algernon and I lernd how to finish the amaze even if it takes me along time.
I dint know mice were so smart.
Algernon is extra-clever thanks to an experimental brain operation so far tried only on animals. Charlie eagerly volunteers as the first human subject. After frustrating delays and agonies of concentration, the effects begin to show and the reports steadily improve: "Punctuation, is fun!" But getting smarter brings cruel shocks, as Charlie realises that his merry "friends" at the bakery where he sweeps the floor have all along been laughing at him, never with him. The IQ rise continues, taking him steadily past the human average to genius level and beyond, until he's as intellectually alone as the old, foolish Charlie ever was--and now painfully aware of it. Then, ominously, the smart mouse Algernon begins to deteriorate ...
A timeless tear-jerker with a terrific emotional impact, Flowers for Algernon is the 25th choice in the millennium SF Masterworks series. --David Langford
Reviews
Charlie Gordon's diary entries charting the rise and fall of a poor simpleton, is
at times heartbreaking.
His experiences running in tandem with the experimental mouse that preceded him, only
adds further charm to this engrossing tale (or should I say TAIL?).
The power of it ensures that it ticks away at the back of your mind for some
time afterwards.
Mr. John Frank Herbert
The Algernon in `Flowers for Algernon' is actually a mouse. This is no ordinary mouse as Algernon has undergone some experimental surgery that means he is a super intelligent mouse. It is from this successful operation that the people and researchers at Beekman have decided to try this out on a human and through this we meet our narrator Charlie Gordon a 32 year old cleaner in a bakery with an IQ of 68 who is mentally disabled. It is Charlie's diaries or `progress reports' from just before the operation and its effects afterwards that we read as the story unfolds.
I have to admit that when I started reading this book and knowing it was science fiction I just didn't think this would be a book for me. It didn't help that the first part of the book is written phonetically as Charlie cant spell. I was wrong though as after getting used to Charlie's initial bad grammar and spelling (which does pass) and following his journey as he changed and saw the world change around him I was gripped. There were two reasons for this. The first was reading his personal history how his parents couldn't cope, how his sister hated him and how people picked on him, something he hadn't realised before his level of intelligence was altered and makes for quite heart breaking reading and looks at the way people with mental disabilities are treated in some cases. There is also quite a twist in the tale as Algernon starts to behave oddly with wild mood swings and his intelligence deteriorates, what will happen to them both? A suprisingly emotional read that pulls you on one heck of a journey. Wonderful!
Simon Savidge Reads
I read the SF Masterworks edition of this book, but it's another work that I'm really not certain is science fiction. Primarily it's about intelligence and how we perceive ourselves and how we treat others, the science fiction elements are just there as a method to emphasise these different attitudes by putting all the levels of intelligence into one person. Whether it's sf or not though, this is a superb work with great subtlety and great emotion. It's quite startling to think this was conceived in the 1950s, although it does partly excuse the horribly lax approach to experimental procedures.
Sulkyblue
I've read this novel a while back and I can still remember the impact it had on me. This isn't your alien-invasion, space-battle or universal-conquer sci-fi novel, but a very simple story about "what if science could" ... And in this novel, Daniel Keyes explores the possibilities if science could increase the IQ of a human being, and spins a tale which is very realistic.
What makes this book so great, however, is not what it is about, but who it is about. Charlie, IQ 68 and undergoing a procedure to increase his intelligence, writes a report on his progress. The reports are written in his own words, and although the form is unusual in the beginning, you cannot help but grow fond of Charlie. Through his thoughts and emotions, the character Charlie really comes alive, and his progress all the more realistic and interesting. But even so, as Charlie is changing, so is the world around him, and it is equally interesting to see just how things change, as viewed through Charlie's perspective.
Other people have said it before me, and I can only agree. I couldn't put this book down, it was so gripping. I think this is one of those books everybody should read, even if not everybody will like it. Because if you do find that you like it, you will love it by the time you reach the end.
Stefan Vunckx
I'd been meaning to read this for a couple of years and as it was one of the books in Surrey Libraries 'Big Science Read' promotion I thought I'd go for it. It was great and I'll read it again some time. The premise is that the main character, Charlie, has severe learning difficulties and is helped(?) to overcome them by scientists. As he becomes a genius he's able to see his old life from a new perspective. There are some very sad moments as he realises that not everything in his old/new life is as he first thought. It reminded me of the 'The curious incident of the dog in the night time'. It gives an interesting perspective on someone with severe learning difficulties and the prejudices (positive and negative) other people have. It's much more too. This review doesn't do it justice. I just think it's the best book I've read for ages.
GG in GB
