Reviews

I honestly don't know how to put into words what I'm feeling right now. This book is thought provoking and emotional, engaging and fascinating, and right now I'm just a bit of a mess. Charlie is an amazing character, and I'm still crying a bit as I write this.

Spoiler

When his mental deterioration began it was so heart-wrenchingly sad. Not only because I wanted Charlie to keep at least a little bit of the intelligence he so proudly gained and worked so hard for, but also because thinking about that happening to myself was really, really scary.

A definite 5 star read, and one that I've already decided to lend my copy/recommend it to at least three different people in real life, and it's one thing for me to recommend it to everyone on the internet, but different for me to actually go to friends and family and say: "here, this. Read this," which is a testament to how good it was.

whipplem123's review against another edition

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Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No

4.0

fairiesdust's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

lizkmasters's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad

5.0

notmle's review against another edition

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emotional sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

emma7377's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

From the first few pages you immediately feel so much empathy for Charlie. I was on the verge of tears many times throughout and sobbed at the end!! This is one of those books that makes you really care for its characters and miss them when you finish it.

The book is a series of Charlies reports, documenting his experience during and after the experiment as his intelligence begins to grow. The gradual progression of his grammar and language in these is perfect! I loved how his entries slowly became these really beautiful and insightful reflections that reminded me a little bit of Good Will Hunting and that famous speech Robin Williams gives.

In my top 3 modern classics for sure!!!

corrin_reads's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective sad

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

There were times that I wasn't sure about how mentally disabled people are represented in the book (as could maybe be expected of a book from 40+ years ago), but all the same, I think the book does do a good job of making you think about how our society treats individuals based on education and intellectual ability.

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