A review by stabilesero
Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes

challenging emotional reflective sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

If I could only read one book for the rest of my life, I think it would be this. This book absolutely broke me and I'd happily let it do it again, and again. 

Intelligence is one of the greatest human gifts. But all too often a search for knowledge drives out the search for love.

Charlie is a lovable character, during the beginning, middle and end of his journey; no matter how he changes. His thought process is brutally heart-breaking and thought-provoking. I have never had a book that has made me question what happiness is and the levels of happiness we sacrifice as humans to reach goals or the pressures of society. What we sometimes break and throw away to gain knowledge and skills. 

I don't think I'll ever recover from this. This is another book I'll be rereading every year.
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