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Winner of both the Hugo and Nebula Awards, the powerful, classic story about a man who receives an operation that turns him into a genius...and introduces him to heartache. Charlie Gordon is about to embark upon an unprecedented journey. Born with an unusually low IQ, he has been chosen as the perfect subject for an experimental surgery that researchers hope will increase his intelligence – a procedure that has already been highly successful when tested on a lab mouse named Algernon. As the treatment takes effect, Charlie's intelligence expands until it surpasses that of the doctors who engineered his metamorphosis. The experiment appears to be a scientific breakthrough of paramount importance, until Algernon suddenly deteriorates. Will the same happen to Charlie?
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0Incredible read. I have a lot of thoughts about this, particularly from a modern disability studies perspective. But this was such an engaging and easy read - not normally the experience I have with classics.
Given this was written in the mid-1960s it’s hard to believe how contemporary some of its disability politics feel - like how critical it is of society and ableism/disablism, and how an intellectually disabled character’s voice is given primary focus. I wonder to what extent it slips into problematic territory- pitying Charlie as a disabled person, rending those with intellectual impairments as pure/innocent, or framing impairment itself a tragedy. But I think those readings as somewhat unfair and come from a place of assuming poor intentions on the author’s part.
I also love the framing device and lack of traditional chapters. I did not expect that, which made the experience all the more enjoyable. I also loved the rough arc the book’s structure made by the end. Really great stuff.
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