Flowers for Algernon

By: Daniel Keyes

Narrated by: Jeff Woodman

Length: 8 hrs and 58 mins

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

Critic reviews

• Nebula Award, Best Novel, 1966

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

Everything you thought it would be

Beautiful. Heart wrenching. Perfect. This is an absolute must read. You have heard of it before, on TV or in school, but listening to it is a gift. This is so worthy and I will come back to it from time to time and enjoy all over again.

Great listen. What a good story.

I can't say enough about the story the author was before his time. The voice actor will always be Charlie to me

One of the best written stories ever!

I am an avid reader who loves reading good books and I have to say, that this book is in my top 5 greatest reads of all time. The reader of this book also gets a lot of credit because he really made me connect with the book on a 4D level! Awesome Awesome book!

Beautifully read!

A unique and compelling story creatively narrated. Even if you've read this, I recommend listening.

Highly recommend!

If you could sum up Flowers for Algernon in three words, what would they be?

Sad but Excellent

What did you like best about this story?

The author's ability to portray Charlie's stages from retardation to genius, back to retardation. I felt the descriptions of Charlie's emotional stages were so insightful and so well described that you have to wonder if the author was writing about himself.

What about Jeff Woodman’s performance did you like?

It was excellent.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It wasn't that type of story because the ending was predictable. It would be hard to read this in one sitting because you need a rest from the sadness and the need to emotionally regroup.

Any additional comments?

Don't let the sadness stop you from reading this. It's just life!

What an amazing book and great performance

Ok, I may be biased since I read the book before and loved it, but I thoroughly enjoyed this reading of it and it's definately a classic.

Well-Executed Story, With Excellent Narration

Very well-executed story, which transitions seamlessly through complex changes. Some good social commentary, and manages to avoid some of the pitfalls found in many other stories of its kind. Woodman does an excellent job narrating- a transformative performance. [AUDIBLE]

Makes you think!

This was a great book. No wonder it's been a classic for so long. It makes you think about tons of things. What we wish for, what we value, how we see disabled people, etc. told an interesting, but informative way. Makes you feel like he is really real and telling you the story as a friend. I definitely recommend this book!

Still As Pertinent Today as it Was 55 years ago.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes!!! Any one living today will no doubt come into contact with someone who this story should enlighten them as to the thoughts and desires of one less fortunate than they are.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Charlie and Algernon. So much in common and both wanted to be loved, cared for by others.

What about Jeff Woodman’s performance did you like?

Good character voices and a steadiness that kept the story flowing.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me think. It brought me out of me and made me think if how I perceive others less fortunate.

Any additional comments?

EVERYONE, from 5th grade up should read this book.

exceptional

I read this book as a kid and I absolutely loved revisiting it as well. The narrator really gives Charlie life throughout the story. I would listen again and again.