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  • Flowers for Algernon

  • Written by: Daniel Keyes
  • Narrated by: Jeff Woodman
  • Length: 8 hrs and 58 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (287 ratings)

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Flowers for Algernon cover art

Flowers for Algernon

Written by: Daniel Keyes
Narrated by: Jeff Woodman
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Publisher's Summary

Charlie Gordon knows that he isn't very bright. At 32, he mops floors in a bakery and earns just enough to get by. Three evenings a week, he studies at a center for mentally challenged adults. But all of this is about to change for Charlie. As part of a daring experiment, doctors are going to perform surgery on Charlie's brain. They hope the operation and special medication will increase his intelligence, just as it has for the laboratory mouse, Algernon. Meanwhile, each day Charlie keeps a diary of what is happening to him. This is his poignant record of the startling changes in his mind and his life.

Flowers for Algernon was first published as a short story, but soon received wide acclaim as it appeared in anthologies, as a television special, and as an award-winning motion picture, Charly. In its final, expanded form, this haunting story won the Nebula Award for the Best Novel of the Year. Through Jeff Woodman's narration, it now becomes an unforgettable audio experience.

©1966 Daniel Keyes (P)1998 Recorded Books, LLC

What the critics say

  • Nebula Award, Best Novel, 1966

"A tale that is convincing, suspectful and touching." ( The New York Times)

What listeners say about Flowers for Algernon

Average Customer Ratings
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Great read

This was an excellent version, entertaining and much needed for any reader seeking to understand the human condition.

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amazing story

heart felt and genuine, the character growth and fall brings you right along with it, just a good story

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Good performance.

I have a feeling that reading the words would be more impactful, but the performance was great.

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  • CJ
  • 2023-12-04

Wonderful Performance

It is a sad, insightful, and creative story that left me feeling sad and grateful. This story was required reading before I was born, so I'm grateful to have stumbled upon it at a time when I could appreciate it with maturity. Many parts were relatable even though I know I am not at either end of the spectrum that is Charlie Gordon. There are over 8 billion ways to live 1 life, this story is a unique look into one I will never know or understand myself, even if it's fiction.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Loved it

It was an excellent book. Made me think. I really enjoyed reading it. Highly recommend it.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Flawed but very much worth reading

I take issue with the framing of every scientist as out of touch with feelings and emotions : this is a tired trope, I find. Same for the whole of humanity: hardly one to redeem the species from this picture of self -centered evil monsters. It took away from my enjoyment of it.
Still, it's a great story and it's quite well-written. Beside some obvious misunderstanding of the biology of the brain, it's a beautiful exploration of the concept of intelligence, high and low, and its interaction with sociology.

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Amazing listen!

This is Ana amazing book on sooo many levels! I highly recommend it to anyone!

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So good

this book makes you feel thing, good things, bad things, sad things, happy things

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A modern frankenstein

Keyes has penned a fascinating modern version of the frankenstein myth which as a metaphor operates on a number of interlocking levels that are not scientific at all but all too human. Brilliantly read.

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Wow - deep and sensitive on so many levels

Engaging, deep emotional and sensitive first-person perspective. Very unusual and touching! A very enjoyable read that seems to grip you.

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