Flowers for Algernon (School & Library Binding)

by Daniel Keyes (Author) "Dr Strauss says I shoud rite down what I think and remembir and evrey thing that happins to me from now on..." (more)
Key Phrases: progris riport, adult center, Miss Kinnian, Professor Nemur, Charlie Gordon (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
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 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 realizes 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...

Flowers for Algernon is a timeless tear-jerker with a terrific emotional impact. --David Langford --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review
"A tale that is convincing, suspectful and  touching..." -- The New York  Times.

"Fascinating, agonizing... Superb."  --Birmingham News.

"This novel should be on your 'must read'  list." -- Palm Beach Post-Times.  

"Strikingly original..." --  Publishers'  Weekly.

"Absorbing... Immensely original... Going to be read  for a long time to come." -- Library  Journal. -- Review --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• School & Library Binding
• Publisher: Topeka Bindery (June 14, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1417630183
• ISBN-13: 978-1417630189
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #3,628,488 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)