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Overview
Flowers for Algernon is a science fiction novel written in 1966 by Daniel Keyes that expands upon a short story of the same name that Keyes wrote in 1959. (This SparkNotes guide examines the novel.) Flowers for Algernon is presented as a series of progress reports written by Charlie Gordon, a mentally disabled man who undergoes an experimental procedure to increase his intelligence
. It explores themes of intelligence, identity, and the treatment of disabled individuals. The novel won the Nebula Award for Best Novel in 1966. In 1968, “Flowers for Algernon” was adapted into the film Charly, for which Cliff Robertson was awarded the Academy Award for Best Actor.Read the a full book summary, an in-depth character analysis of Charlie Gordon, and explanations of important quotes from Flowers for Algernon.
