I went into this book blind. I had no idea what it was about, other than a mouse, and that it was sad.

And it was.

Charlie is born mentally handicapped. All his young life his mother beat him, trying to “beat him into being a normal child.” Until one day she gives birth to a daughter and sent him away.

Charlie lived with his uncle, who had set him up with a job at a bakery, once his uncle passed away, Charlie was living on his own, going to “school.”

He is then selected to participate in this revolutionary trial to enhance his I.Q. and to give him a shot at a normal life.

I was happy, sad, angry, heartbroken. I was a mess.

***Possible spoilers ahead.***

I absolutely loved how this book was written. Watching Charlie’s evolution in his self progress reports was fantastic. It was a gradual change that he didn’t notice, but changes that the reader can’t help but notice. His character development was so quick, but very worth it.

The way those people treated Charlie, it was so upsetting. Always laughing at him, tricking him, ditching him places, all around cruel. With his mental capacity, Charlie couldn’t understand how awful his so called friends were being.

And his mother! An awful, awful woman. I disliked her before she had another baby, I really disliked her after, and when Charlie returned as an adult.. oh buddy. I just don’t understand how someone could be that cruel to their own child. I’m glad Charlie could forgive his family, but I don’t think I could have.

I enjoyed watching him come to terms with things; the surgery, his past, his present, his future. His connection with Algernon, the genius lab rat, was so sweet.

I ended up rating the book five stars (☆☆☆☆☆).

I was captivated and blown away with everything in this book. It reminded me of Awakening by Oliver Sacks, the small similarities.

You can borrow Flowers for Algernon for FREE with Amazon Kindle Unlimited.

Advertisement