Et cetera : What We're Reading - Flowers for Algernon

I recently read Daniels Keyes' classic novel 'Flowers for Algernon' as part of Vinton's Big Read. The book was first published in 1966 and is based on Keyes' short story of the same name.

In the story we meet Charlie, a young man with an IQ of 68, who is selected to participate in an experimental surgery that could improve his intelligence. The surgery was successfully performed on a lab mouse named Algernon, whom Charlie grows deeply attached to. The story raises several important questions about scientific ethics, how we treat those different than us, how intelligence correlates with happiness, and the impact of early childhood abuse. It is an emotionally wrought read that will stay with me.

Happy reading,

Kelly Henkle, Library Director