Reviews

Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes

rowbean's review against another edition

Go to review page

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

2.0

grahamclements's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

I already knew how it ended, but still enjoyed it very much. A real emotional ride as the main character's emotional intelligence tries to catch up to his increasing IQ. It is an interesting take on the discussion of disability, is it pushing the medical model of disability, with a disability something to be fixed, or the society model of disability, where society is the disabler, or both? It also makes the reader think about the effect on a person of fixing that disabilty. It very much humanises a mental disability.

Merged review:

I already knew how it ended, but still enjoyed it very much. A real emotional ride as the main character's emotional intelligence tries to catch up to his increasing IQ. It is an interesting take on the discussion of disability, is it pushing the medical model of disability, with a disability something to be fixed, or the society model of disability, where society is the disabler, or both? It also makes the reader think about the effect on a person of fixing that disabilty. It very much humanises a mental disability.

sertuna's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional

5.0

i think i am a different person now

grahamclements's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

I already knew how it ended, but still enjoyed it very much. A real emotional ride as the main character's emotional intelligence tries to catch up to his increasing IQ. It is an interesting take on the discussion of disability, is it pushing the medical model of disability, with a disability something to be fixed, or the society model of disability, where society is the disabler, or both? It also makes the reader think about the effect on a person of fixing that disabilty. It very much humanises a mental disability.

Merged review:

I already knew how it ended, but still enjoyed it very much. A real emotional ride as the main character's emotional intelligence tries to catch up to his increasing IQ. It is an interesting take on the discussion of disability, is it pushing the medical model of disability, with a disability something to be fixed, or the society model of disability, where society is the disabler, or both? It also makes the reader think about the effect on a person of fixing that disabilty. It very much humanises a mental disability.

rhirhiya's review against another edition

Go to review page

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

4.75

shantayareads's review

Go to review page

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

4.0

plufifi's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

italorebelo's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging emotional inspiring sad fast-paced

5.0

anjalisudarsan's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

Flowers for Algernon really opened my eyes to a lot of things we take for granted. Written like Charlie Gordon’s journal, it’s his journey from being mentally disabled, to a genius, and back.
Firstly, the way it’s written felt very real and raw. The spelling errors and sense of confusion in the start, to the academic and clear writing when his IQ starts going up felt super realistic and I could really picture what was in Charlie’s head.
And then his experiences - beginning with the abuse that people with disabilities face in their households and outside is quite heartbreaking, especially Charlie remembering these in flashbacks. My heart felt for him. And for all the people living these nightmares without a good support system. There’s also him battling emotions like jealousy from around him, anger, hatred, and LOVE- which is all so complicated and confusing to deal with all of a sudden. I really was hooked. Made me think about how it all feels to us.
The ending left me heartbroken, I was moved. Amazing book

Merged review:

Flowers for Algernon really opened my eyes to a lot of things we take for granted. Written like Charlie Gordon’s journal, it’s his journey from being mentally disabled, to a genius, and back.
Firstly, the way it’s written felt very real and raw. The spelling errors and sense of confusion in the start, to the academic and clear writing when his IQ starts going up felt super realistic and I could really picture what was in Charlie’s head.
And then his experiences - beginning with the abuse that people with disabilities face in their households and outside is quite heartbreaking, especially Charlie remembering these in flashbacks. My heart felt for him. And for all the people living these nightmares without a good support system. There’s also him battling emotions like jealousy from around him, anger, hatred, and LOVE- which is all so complicated and confusing to deal with all of a sudden. I really was hooked. Made me think about how it all feels to us.
The ending left me heartbroken, I was moved. Amazing book

hannahblum's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated

4.5