Daniel Keyes

Daniel Keyes was an American author best known for his Hugo award-winning short story and Nebula award-winning novel 'Flowers for Algernon.' Keyes was born on August 9, 1927, in Brooklyn, New York, and began his career as a comic book writer before turning to teaching and writing fiction. 'Flowers for Algernon' is his most famous work, which tells the story of a mentally disabled man who undergoes an experimental surgical procedure to increase his intelligence. The novel raises important ethical and moral questions about the treatment of the mentally disabled and the nature of intelligence. Daniel Keyes passed away on June 15, 2014.

Books

This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

  1. 1. Flowers for Algernon

    The book is a poignant science fiction narrative that follows the life of Charlie Gordon, a man with an IQ of 68, who undergoes an experimental surgical procedure intended to increase his intelligence. The story is told through Charlie's progress reports, which initially showcase his limited comprehension and writing ability. As the treatment takes effect, Charlie's intelligence surpasses that of the average person, leading to a dramatic increase in his understanding of the world, relationships, and his own past. However, the transformation is not without its pitfalls, as Charlie grapples with the emotional and social implications of his newfound abilities, and the impermanence of the experiment's success becomes a haunting reality. The novel explores themes of intellect, human dignity, and the ethics of scientific experimentation.