Book review: Flowers for Algernon

Recently I had been recommended a book called Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes. At first I was hesitant to pick up the book because the first page I saw was full of spelling and grammatical errors. Flowers for Algernon is a first-person narrative told by Charlie Gordon whose innate IQ is an exceptionally low 68. He is chosen as a subject for a science experiment, in which scientists hope to artifically induce his intelligence. Keyes illustrates this inducement rather slowly over time to increase the readers’ anxiety. But the main issue addressed in his work is the indifference to those who are deficient by nature. Charlie Gordon refuses to be viewed as merely a guinea pig for an experiment. He does not believe that to be a human being, one must be intellectually adequate. I must say, Keyes wrote the novel in a clever manner in which to make the reader continue reading without putting it down.

Here’s a short excerpt:

“Dr Strauss says I shoud rite down what I think and remembir and evrey thing that happins to me from now on. I dont no why but he says its importint so they will see if they can use me. I hope they use me becaus Miss Kinnian says mabye they can make me smart. I want to be smart. My name is Charlie Gordon I werk in Donners bakery where Mr Donner gives me 11 dollers a week and bred or cake if I want. I am 32 yeres old and next munth is my brithday. I tolld dr Strauss and perfesser Nemur I cant rite good but he says it dont matter he says I shud rite just like I talk and like I rite compushishens in Miss Kinnians class at the beekmin collidge center for retarted adults where I go to lern 3 times a week on my time off. Dr. Strauss says to rite a lot evrything I think and evrything that happins to me but I cant think anymor because I have nothing to rite so I will close for today…yrs truly Charlie Gordon.”

Algernon, a white rat, has also been artificially induced. He is an exceptionally bright rat who befriends Charlie. But here with Algernon and Charlie, being parallel characters, Keyes demonstrates another idea. The chase for knowledge and wisdom removes the desire for human interaction. One may be intellectually developed, but poorly lacks emotional aspects in one’s life.

If you’re looking for a good read, or you have nothing to do with your time (although I hope the latter doesn’t apply to you), try picking up a copy of Flowers for Algernon or borrowing it from the library. Happy reading!