Flowers for Algernon – Daniel Keyes
If you enjoyed the first Forest Gump book, you are quite likely to enjoy this book. The main character in Flowers for Algernon has severe learning difficulties, and encounters the possibility of greatly increasing his intellect. This leads to him becoming a lot more self-aware.
However, the increase in his intellectual powers does not lead to a long term increase in his happiness. Previously mis-comprehended actions by his work colleagues quickly come into focus as heartless mockery of someone not previously able to defend himself mentally.
Although a little corny in places, I was happy to read this book whenever I had a spare moment. A must buy/read? No, not in my opinion – worth a read from a library/cheap bookstore/friend’s collection? YES 🙂
June 2nd, 2007 5:28 am
The original short story is astounding. However, rewriting it in a novel wasn’t a good idea (IMHO).