Product Description
One of a series of top-quality fiction for schools. Charlie Gordon, who desperately wants to be able to read and write, undergoes a brain operation which dramatically increases his intelligence. But can his emotional development keep pace with the intellectual? ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Flowers for Alzheimer's

When I first read Flowers for Algernon some forty years ago, I was fascinated by the way Charlie, after being considered stupid his entire life, quickly became smarter and smarter, mastering increasingly difficult subjects and solving complex problems of science, math, and even linguistics. I was less interested in his emotional problems and his social difficulties. I remember the horror of realizing that he was going to lose his mental abilities and that he would be aware of what was happening to him, yet helpless to prevent it.

I reread the story after I helped my aunt move into a nursing home five years ago. Her Alzheimer's had made it unsafe for her to live on her own or even to go out by herself. She used to be mentally sharp, loved to travel, and took a brisk walk every day. She understood what was happening to her brain and knew there was nothing that she could do about it. Even as she struggled with remembering everyday words like "calendar" and "TV," she was remarkably philosophical about what was happening to her, explaining to her friends that that's just the way it is.

But it had to be terribly frustrating to have your own brain let you down and to know that it would keep getting worse, and that no one could do anything to stop it. I was hesitant to read Flowers for Algernon again, afraid it would be too close to home this time. It's a fast-moving story that gets going right away. Soon I was caught up in the changes Charlie is going through and dreading the inevitable ending.

To my surprise, the ending did not leave me feeling helpless and depressed. Although it was a shame that Charlie couldn't remain a genius, he seemed more at peace with his life in the end, and even more mature as a human being. In the story, as in real life, if you have a choice (and most of us do), you should choose to be smarter. If, on the other hand, you really no longer have a choice, there's something to be said for accepting that.

Algernon's Flowers Review
It took a while before amazon had this book in stock but it was a somewhat uncommon edition and was promptly sent ASAP. The book was in mint shape.

Beautiful Storytelling
"I've got to stop this childish worrying about myself - my past and my future. Let me give something of myself to others. I've got to use my knowledge and skills to work in the field of increasing human intelligence. Who is better equipped? Who else has lived in both worlds?"

Charlie Gordon was made more intelligent by a procedure which had previously been tried only on animals - and on one animal in particular, a mouse named Algernon. The experiment proved to be a success at first, with both Charlie and Algernon quadrupling their intelligences in only a short amount of time, but slowly Algernon begins to deteriorate. Algernon's deterioration foreshadows Charlie's own fate, and the fate of the experiment itself.

Was Charlie made smarter? Yes. Was Charlie made human by the experiment? No. These are some of the questions raised in the book - everything from morality, science, "progress", and what it means to be human. If we could truly find a "cure" for mental retardation, should we use it? Are the people who the procedure is used on truly better off? And lastly, does MR need to be cured?

MOVING AND THOUGHT PROVOKING...
This is a wonderful and highly original novel about a mentally challenged man named Charlie who wanted to be smart. One day, his wish was granted. A group of scientists selected him for an experimental operation that raised his intelligence to genius level. Suddenly, Charlie found himself transformed, and life, as he knew it, changed.

His story is told entirely through Charlie's eyes and perceptions in the form of progress reports. The reader actually sees the change in Charlie take place, as his progress reports become more complex, well written, and filled with the angst of personal discovery and growth, as well as with his gradual awareness of his amazing and accelerated intellectual development.

The progress reports are a wonderful contrivance for facilitating the story, and the reader is one with Charlie on his voyage of self-discovery. What happens to Charlie in the long run is profoundly moving and thought provoking. It is no wonder that this author was the recipient of the Nebula Award which is given by the Science Fiction Writers of America for having written the Best Novel of the Year. This is definitely a book well worth reading.

Febolos (Fabulous)
Since this novel was written decades ago - I would say that "At First Sight" (starring Val kilmer) is a rip off of this novel. Except that in this novel the main character is mentally retarded instead of blind.

The novel is in the form of a diary written by the main character. As the character's IQ improves and he becomes smarter the diary's contents become profound.

When I read the main story line on the cover - I expected an emotion filled mushy and cheesy novel. Since this novel was given to me as a gift I started reading it anyways. The first few pages did validate my initial impression - but soon enough I realized the novel is anything but mushy and cheesy. Of course it is an emotional roller coaster - but the author has done such an amazing job in narrating the story that you never feel any mushiness. Instead you would relate to the emotions that the main character goes through. Additionally you would also be able to relate to several other characters in the novel.

Simply put this is an awesome cathartic novel - the ups and downs of the mentally challenged main character are just a metaphor to the readers' individual trials and tribulations.

Warning to the weak hearted - do keep a box of tissues handy ! ... Read more

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Word count: 1817. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (1)

medical response to terrorism
The Medical Response to Terrorism Textbook is EXCELLENT - I have really enjoyed reading it (and I HATE reading textbooks).Each chapter is up to date, focused, and written in a manner more reminiscent of a novel than a medical textbook.Limiting the number of pages per chapter really forced the authors to be concise and made each topic more inviting to read.Great stuff - Dr. Keyes, et al should be very proud. ... Read more

Product Description
Easton Press Masterpieces of Science Fication; Collector's Notes by Faniel Keyes ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

A Sad Love Affaire
A scientist finds a way to enhance the brain to make an animal brilliant.First, the operation was performed on a mouse named Algernon.Experiments proved that it was indeed a success.Then they found a retarded, human subject named Charlie, who happened to work in a bakery.At his job, his peers tend to tease him, always setting him up to be the butt end of a joke. While the operation was indeed a success, we see the human developing into a person and finally a man, who happens to fall in love with the psychologist who studies him.One of the first signs of his development is how he finds a way to reverse one of the tricks his bakery friends play on him.After the psychologist assigns a little exercise for him, he has a very clever exercise for her, which stumps her.He intrigues her as she watches him mentally grow.

Once he becomes brilliant, the young and beautiful psychologist cannot help herself and returns the love.After he far exceeds her intellectual prowess, she becomes afraid for him, fearing that something might go wrong.

One day the little mouse named Algernon that he always carries with him dies, leaving him devastated.At first, he panics, scared that he will revert back to his retarded state.After a while, he realizes that only his brilliance could figure out a way to reverse the inevitable.Soon, he imagines, he will revert to his former state and lose the love of his life.A great book to read on a rainy day.

Knowledge is a Precious and Painful Possession
Charlie Gordon is not very bright, but has a life that works for him.He does not understand the cruelty of his coworkers, so is able to see them as his friends.Because Charlie does not understand the limits of his mental handicap, he pursues adult education classes with hope of making himself smarter.His life seems sad to the reader, but Charlie is mercifully insulated from awareness of the world beyond his reach.

His life changes when Charlie participates in a surgical experiment designed to improve intelligence.The experiment succeeds, and Charlie quickly develops first ordinary, and then extraordinary intelligence.Readers see the results in Charlie's life and in his understanding of those around him.Some of these realizations are painful, for both Charlie and the reader.Charlie's life changes direction again when it becomes clear that his increased intelligence is temporary.Algernon, a lab rat that also benefitted from the experimental surgery, begins losing his abilities and soon dies.Charlie declines as well, descending back into the familiar mental fog of his former life.But now he carries the emotional burdens of self-awareness and memory of a more complex world.

This is classic science fiction and one of the most moving stories about mental handicaps ever written.Although it was originally banned from public school curricula, it is now widely recognized as a valuable part of children's emotional education.The book's painful emotions produce a worthwhile educational experience.I highly recommend Daniel Keyes' book to anyone who teaches and loves children, especially those with special needs.

Forgive a personal note:I gave a copy of this book to my wife, Lynnette, while we were dating in college.It was a rewarding bridge between her mature interests in special education and my lighthearted fondness for science fiction.Like Charlie Gordon, we build the bridges to others that we can.And remember them.

Art imitates life.
A book that is both great and sad.

I cried like a baby while reading the last five pages.

I believe that SOME of this book was written from past experiences in the author's own life.

Read the author's bio at the end of the book.And see what similarities his life had with Charlie.

Here's a hint, there is a line in the book that reads, "I wonder if the other mice still played with Algernon, after he got smart."

MOVING AND THOUGHT PROVOKING...
This is a wonderful and highly original novel about a mentally challenged man named Charlie who wanted to be smart. One day, his wish was granted. A group of scientists selected him for an experimental operation that raised his intelligence to genius level. Suddenly, Charlie found himself transformed, and life, as he knew it, changed.

His story is told entirely through Charlie's eyes and perceptions in the form of progress reports. The reader actually sees the change in Charlie take place, as his progress reports become more complex, well written, and filled with the angst of personal discovery and growth, as well as with his gradual awareness of his amazing and accelerated intellectual development.

The progress reports are a wonderful contrivance for facilitating the story, and the reader is one with Charlie on his voyage of self-discovery. What happens to Charlie in the long run is profoundly moving and thought provoking. It is no wonder that this author was the recipient of the Nebula Award which is given by the Science Fiction Writers of America for having written the Best Novel of the Year. This is definitely a book well worth reading. ... Read more

Product Description
6 cassettes. Charlie Gordon knows that he isn't very bright. At 32, he mops floors in a bakery and earns just enough to get by. Three evenings a week, he studies at a center for retarded adults. But all of this is about to change for Charlie. As part of a daring experiment, doctors are going to perform surgery on Charlie's brain. They hope the operation and special medication will increase his intelligence, just as it has for the laboratory mouse, Algernon. Meanwhile, each day Charlie keeps a diary of what is happening to him. This is his poignant record of the startling changes in his mind and his life. Flowers for Algernon was first published as a short story, but soon received wide acclaim as it appeared in anthologies, as a television special, and as an award-winning motion picture, Charly. In its final, expanded form, this haunting story won the Nebula Award for the Best Novel of the Year. Through Jeff Woodman's narration, now it becomes an unforgettable audio experience. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Suspenseful And Touching..., Narrator Woodman's Skill...
"A tale that is convincing, SUSPENSEFUL AND TOUCHING..."
---The New York Times

"Kliatt praises NARRATOR WOODMAN'S SKILL:
"He doesn't hit a false note..."

[from the back cover of the audio cassette case]

MOVING AND THOUGHT PROVOKING...
This is a wonderful and highly original novel about a mentally challenged man named Charlie who wanted to be smart. One day, his wish was granted. A group of scientists selected him for an experimental operation that raised his intelligence to genius level. Suddenly, Charlie found himself transformed, and life, as he knew it, changed.

His story is told entirely through Charlie's eyes and perceptions in the form of progress reports. The reader actually sees the change in Charlie take place, as his progress reports become more complex, well written, and filled with the angst of personal discovery and growth, as well as with his gradual awareness of his amazing and accelerated intellectual development.

The progress reports are a wonderful contrivance for facilitating the story, and the reader is one with Charlie on his voyage of self-discovery. What happens to Charlie in the long run is profoundly moving and thought provoking. It is no wonder that this author was the recipient of the Nebula Award, which is given by the Science Fiction Writers of America for having written the Best Novel of the Year. This is definitely a book well worth reading. ... Read more