Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes
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.
The 503rd greatest book of all time
- Published
- 1959
- Nationality
- American
- Type
- Fiction
- Pages
- 200-300
- Words
- 75,000
- Original Language
- English
If you're interested in seeing the ranking details on this book go here
This book is on the following lists:
- 33rd on Top 200 Science Fiction Books (Pre-2000) (Sci-Fi Lists)
- 38th on Top 100 Science-Fiction, Fantasy Books (NPR)
- 59th on Big Read (Hungarian) (Hungaria)
- 181st on The 500 best books of all time from Culture Café users (Culture Café)
- 347th on The Complete 500: OCLC (OCLC)
- 487th on Our Users' Favorite Books of All Time (The Greatest Books Users)
- Science Fiction: The 100 Best Novels (David Pringle)
- Nebula Award (Nebula Awards)
- Best Foreign Work of Fiction Chosen by Francophone Writers (French literary magazine Transfuge)
- 1000 Novels Everyone Must Read (The Guardian)
- The 100 Best Science Fiction Books of All Time (Tor)