Product Description

One of a series of top-quality fiction for schools. Charlie Gordon, who desperately wants to be able to read and write, undergoes a brain operation which dramatically increases his intelligence. But can his emotional development keep pace with the intellectual?

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #387384 in Books
• Published on: 1989-03-31
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 218 pages

Customer Reviews

MOVING AND THOUGHT PROVOKING...
This is a wonderful and highly original novel about a mentally challenged man named Charlie who wanted to be smart. One day, his wish was granted. A group of scientists selected him for an experimental operation that raised his intelligence to genius level. Suddenly, Charlie found himself transformed, and life, as he knew it, changed.

His story is told entirely through Charlie's eyes and perceptions in the form of progress reports. The reader actually sees the change in Charlie take place, as his progress reports become more complex, well written, and filled with the angst of personal discovery and growth, as well as with his gradual awareness of his amazing and accelerated intellectual development.

The progress reports are a wonderful contrivance for facilitating the story, and the reader is one with Charlie on his voyage of self-discovery. What happens to Charlie in the long run is profoundly moving and thought provoking. It is no wonder that this author was the recipient of the Nebula Award which is given by the Science Fiction Writers of America for having written the Best Novel of the Year. This is definitely a book well worth reading.

Febolos (Fabulous)
Since this novel was written decades ago - I would say that "At First Sight" (starring Val kilmer) is a rip off of this novel. Except that in this novel the main character is mentally retarded instead of blind.

The novel is in the form of a diary written by the main character. As the character's IQ improves and he becomes smarter the diary's contents become profound.

When I read the main story line on the cover - I expected an emotion filled mushy and cheesy novel. Since this novel was given to me as a gift I started reading it anyways. The first few pages did validate my initial impression - but soon enough I realized the novel is anything but mushy and cheesy. Of course it is an emotional roller coaster - but the author has done such an amazing job in narrating the story that you never feel any mushiness. Instead you would relate to the emotions that the main character goes through. Additionally you would also be able to relate to several other characters in the novel.

Simply put this is an awesome cathartic novel - the ups and downs of the mentally challenged main character are just a metaphor to the readers' individual trials and tribulations.

Warning to the weak hearted - do keep a box of tissues handy !

Algernon's Flowers Review
It took a while before amazon had this book in stock but it was a somewhat uncommon edition and was promptly sent ASAP. The book was in mint shape.