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)

Don't Even Debate It, Just Click "Add to Cart"

Any additional comments?

The story and narration were superb and the plot was engrossing. After listening to about 60+ nonfiction books I have started to dip my toes into fiction--particularly science fiction. I remember listening to a classmate give a review of this book in a high school English class and decided to use one of the 'ol two credits on this one. Smart decision. Even though I knew the ending before I hit the play button, the journey--as any good book reveals--is more important that mere facts.

The ending will hit you.

serious but interesting

This story is not light and entertaining, but I am glad that I listened to it. It really did make me think about how society sees persons with mental challenges, or any types of handicaps or differences for that matter. It also said a lot about how important companionship and friendships are. Don't expect to feel better after listening to this book - it's not a feel-good book - but I think it's worth listening to.

MASTERPIECE

Not an easy listen, but so worthwhile! Maybe the second listen will be better because one knows where it's going. I was not comfortable listening. Things could have gone so many ways. Still, heartbreaking, unforgettable and beautifully written. Jeff Woodman is marvelous.

Fabulous Story!

What made the experience of listening to Flowers for Algernon the most enjoyable?

I loved this story and the Narrator did an amazing job.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Flowers for Algernon?

I will remember the overall story for a long time to come.

Have you listened to any of Jeff Woodman’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

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

Yes

A bit depressing

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

Probably not to most people. Most of my friends would find this book depressing in spite of the compelling nature of the story.

What other book might you compare Flowers for Algernon to and why?

I can't think of another book but I might compare it to the movie Awakenings.

What does Jeff Woodman bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The way the main character's voice changes as he changes isn't something I would have really considered probably if I was reading the story. It probably enhanced the story to have those verbal cues.

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

No. The plot was compelling but not in the kind of way that kept me from putting it down. I already had a good idea of how it would end.

Any additional comments?

It's a story that did make me think and the plot was compelling but I felt kind of depressed about it when I was finished.

Sad...

I wanted to love it, but to me it was a rollercoaster of sad, hopeful, elated, scared and worried, then ending in bittersweet sadness.

Fantastic narration of an essential classic

The narrator here did a sensational job with this piece. The story itself was incredible, but this reading took it to another level.

old favorite.

I'm writing this review after my third time finishing the book, it never fails to make me tear up in the final chapter.

Intriguing, sad, funny and thought provoking

Would you listen to Flowers for Algernon again? Why?

No. I don't reread books. Not often anyway, I first read this in 1969.

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

Both

Any additional comments?

Worth a listen. The setting in time and place comes to life.

A classic.

My husband suffered brain damage a few years ago. He went from a highly educated man to the mentality of a five year old. When recently asked to describe the way he changed, I thought of the movie made from this book. Listening to this book now (2019) has given me a new perspective and insight into his frustration. Thank you. A great story. Timeless.