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Flowers For Algernon
- Author
- Daniel Keyes
- Narrator
- Adam Sims
- Publisher
- Orion
- Publish Date
- 17 August 2017
- Run Time
- 8 hours 26 minutes
- Format
- Audiobook
- Genre
- Modern and contemporary fiction: literary and general, Classic science fiction, Narrative theme: coming of age, Genetic engineering, Metaphysical / philosophical fiction, Animals and society / Animal rights - issues and debates
- Rating
- 3.8 (4 reviews)
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What to expect
Charlie Gordon, a floor sweeper born with an unusually low IQ, has been chosen as the perfect subject for an experimental surgery that doctors hope will increase his intelligence - a procedure that has been highly successful when tested on a lab mouse named Algernon. All Charlie wants is to be smart and have friends, but the treatement turns him into a genius.
Then Algernon begins to fade. What will become of Charlie?
Read by Adam Sims
(p) Orion Publishing Group 2017
Critics Review
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This is one of the greats: a story and a central character that have stayed with me for thirty years, from the first moment I picked it up
Conn Iggulden
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A masterpiece of poignant brilliance . . . heartbreaking, and utterly, completely brilliant
Guardian
-
A timeless tearjerker
Independent
-
Excellent . . . extremely moving
The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction
See more reviews See fewer reviews
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Unflinchingly honest . . . it will make you reflect on your own life . . . and completely and utterly break your heart
Guardian Online
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A narrative tour de force, very moving, beautiful and remorseless in its simple logic
Science Fiction, 100 Best Novels
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Strikingly original
Publishers Weekly
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A tale that is convincing, suspectful and touching
New York Times
User Reviews
Book 3.8
Narration 4.8
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4.0 5.0
What an epic feat of writing this book is. The lived human experience and head on challenge to our collective appreciation, scorn and fear of intelligence and all of this wrapped in a Greek tragedy sans chorus.
AlmostSurelyRob 2025-09-04 -
4.0 5.0
A heart rending story wonderfully narrated. Adam Sims puts on an incredible performance charting the journey of Charlie’s life changing surgery and treatment to increase his cognitive abilities and the tragedy of his decline.
However, as I type that last sentence it strikes me that this book is so impactful because whose tragedy is it, really? It’s a powerful allegory of the age-old and oh so common desire to be someone or somewhere else other than who or where we are. And what it means to be aware.
I can’t recommend this enough to anyone, especially the audiobook version. It will give you perspective and dare I say, gratitude.RichG 2025-06-06 -
4.0 4.0
Flowers for Algernon is a heartwarming yet soul crushing narrative exploring views on intelligence that, despite being 60 years old, are still relevant today.
While some language used is a symptom of the times the book was written during, the themes and journey are poignant and timeless.
The last 30 minutes were devastatingly sad in a very understated way.
Absolutely will be recommending to others and probably requires another listen.everoutledge 2023-12-20
Details
- Author
- Daniel Keyes
- Narrator
- Adam Sims
- Duration
- 8 hours 26 minutes
- Release Date
- 17 August 2017
- ISBN
- 9781409176305
- Format
- Audiobook
- Publisher
- Orion
- Genre
- Modern and contemporary fiction: literary and general, Classic science fiction, Narrative theme: coming of age, Genetic engineering, Metaphysical / philosophical fiction, Animals and society / Animal rights - issues and debates
- Rating
- 3.8(4 reviews)
- Narration
- 4.8(4 reviews)
Synopsis
'A masterpiece of poignant brilliance . . . heartbreaking' GuardianCharlie Gordon, a floor sweeper born with an unusually low IQ, has been chosen as the perfect subject for an experimental surgery that doctors hope will increase his intelligence - a procedure that has been highly successful when tested on a lab mouse named Algernon. All Charlie wants is to be smart and have friends, but the treatement turns him into a genius.Then Algernon begins to fade. What will become of Charlie?Read by Adam Sims(p) Orion Publishing Group 2017
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