Scan barcode
A review by kirstikka
Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
(note: i might have a soft spot for depictions of people with mental disabilities)
what a great fucking ride this book is. it doesn't feel like its best before date is due at all, many aspects of the book are quite timeless. i feel like there's always a big risk of sounding pretentious when writing about an extremely dumb/intelligent person, but Keyes mostly avoids this. plus, being insufferable becomes a part of Charlie's personality, which is why some cringe is inevitable. what a way of writing about someone who undergoes massive psychological changes!
to me, there were two messages conveyed: firstly, all people should be treated as people, no matter what. secondly, scientifical progress isn't all there is to life. those are interesting lessons to learn from a sci-fi book, which made me enjoy it much more than i anticipated.
what a great fucking ride this book is. it doesn't feel like its best before date is due at all, many aspects of the book are quite timeless. i feel like there's always a big risk of sounding pretentious when writing about an extremely dumb/intelligent person, but Keyes mostly avoids this. plus, being insufferable becomes a part of Charlie's personality, which is why some cringe is inevitable. what a way of writing about someone who undergoes massive psychological changes!
to me, there were two messages conveyed: firstly, all people should be treated as people, no matter what. secondly, scientifical progress isn't all there is to life. those are interesting lessons to learn from a sci-fi book, which made me enjoy it much more than i anticipated.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Medical content, Medical trauma, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Abandonment