Reviews

Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes

kylenobles's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective sad fast-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

4.5

matchatee's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad fast-paced
  • 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

4.0

Sad, heartbreaking book. Last sentence :((( I like the way it is written as journal entries and I can see how Charlie slowly becomes more intellectual through his writing.  “I am afraid. Not of life, or death, or nothingness, but of wasting it as if I had never been.”
“P.S. please if you get a chanse put some flowrs on Algernons grave in the bak yard.”

kitkat962's review against another edition

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5.0

I wasn't brought to tears as suggested by many, but it's a great read. The book was structured as "progress reports" by Charlie Gordon, a mentally-retarded man. I like how his use of grammar and vocabulary advanced after the operation and then declined with his intelligence flux (even though I don't know if this is a realistic representation of the mentally disabled?)

The story revolves around Charlie accomplishing feats with his intelligence modified, yet the emotional immaturity causes him great suffering. The report narrates how the world changes from his new perspective. Here is where I think the book can be something bigger: the message felt easy (intelligence is bad without love, society's perspective of the disabled, the examination of self). The characters lack depth (except maybe Alice), I think it's okay for Charlie to have more observations without interpretations.

4.5 stars

jadedreads's review against another edition

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

4.25

iqra_15's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful informative sad medium-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

4.5

cal_lindamood's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad 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

irmaak's review against another edition

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5.0

A beautiful extraordinary story. Every single little detail is heartwarming but heartbreaking at the same time.

Merged review:

A beautiful extraordinary story. Every single little detail is heartwarming but heartbreaking at the same time.

athu's review against another edition

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5.0

I had started this book years back and but did not have the heart to finish it. Now that I did, I know why I stalled it. It's so heavy and yet sweet. Humans are truly such complex creatures.

ahappieryear's review against another edition

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3.0

Story of my life, minus the superintelligence

rumba2007's review against another edition

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5.0

Easily one of the best books I read all year. I would recommend this book to all of my friends.