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  • Flowers for Algernon

  • By: Daniel Keyes
  • Narrated by: Adam Sims
  • Length: 8 hrs and 26 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (362 ratings)

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Flowers for Algernon

By: Daniel Keyes
Narrated by: Adam Sims
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Publisher's Summary

Charlie Gordon, a floor sweeper born with an unusually low IQ, has been chosen as the perfect subject for an experimental surgery that doctors hope will increase his intelligence - a procedure that has been highly successful when tested on a lab mouse named Algernon.

All Charlie wants is to be smart and have friends, but the treatment turns him into a genius.

Then Algernon begins to fade.

What will become of Charlie?

Read by Adam Sims.

©1966 Daniel Keyes (P)2017 Orion Publishing Group

Critic Reviews

"A masterpiece of poignant brilliance...heartbreaking." ( The Guardian)

What listeners say about Flowers for Algernon

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Flowers for Algernon

loved the book. recommended following along with the book like I did as you will understand the story more and the structure of the book.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Heartbreaking story, makes you think.

You have to move past some of the politically incorrect terminology early, but once you do this story provoked emotions like no other book has for me. A couple of sayings come to mind. "You don't know what you have until it's gone" and "the grass is greener on the other side". Gotta read this one.

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A wonderful story, beautifully narrated.

A wonderful story, beautifully narrated. I was recommended this by a friend. What you feel will be a sad ending provides an interesting insight into how we should view ourselves.

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that one hit a soft spot

this book is a must read is so well done and a real emotional story. makes you see all the Charlie's in a new light.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Gripping and insightful

This book had me emotionally involved in Charles life from the first chapter. Although it’s tough emotionally it help you to see the world from a different perspective. I highly recommend this book.

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Read, Read,Read

Truly a story for everyone! Great performance and Charlie’s lessons are for all humanity. Highly recommend.

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Amazing novel

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

Challenging, moving, interesting

What does Adam Sims bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Really well read. Good character voices without trying to be overly theatrical

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes, but dont want to spoil the plot.

Any additional comments?

This is an amazing book and well worth the listen. I knew the concept before I started it but never imagined how deeply it would be explored.

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One of the best books I’ve listened too

Powerful and moving, this book changed my life for the better. Well narrated and written.

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what a wonderful book

it's a demanding listen, but doesn't shy away from the depths of what it is intelligence, what it means to be human and the generosity/spiteful characteristics we're all capable of

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

heartbreaking and thought provoking

they have done such a brilliant job, loved but hurt so much for this book

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.