(book review)

“There are a lot of people who will give money or materials, but very few who will give time and affection.”
(Daniel Keyes)

A science fiction novel by American writer Daniel Keyes, published in 1959. A wonderful novel for readers who have not encountered inclusive literature, but want to get to know it.

Chalri, the boy from the bakery.

The main character Charlie Hornon works in a bakery and has, at first glance, many friends. He does not think about complex things, performs easy work and receives some money for his own needs. But he longed for something more, despite the fact that he was mentally disabled at the age of 32. He has no family, no close ties to people outside of the bakery, but there’s something about this guy that can rub off on scientists.

Algernon.

A white mouse is one of the main characters of the novel. It was with him that Charlie hid the operation to improve mental abilities. Together with him, Charlie goes through the mazes, but often loses his animal, for which he is very angry with him. Later, Charlie takes the mouse from the laboratory to his home and cares about it, because he understands that Algernon is lost in space due to the fact that his brain is degenerating. Charlie begins to follow the mouse to understand what will happen to the boy in the end. After Algernon’s death, the boy buries him, and constantly brings flowers to the grave.

Charlie after surgery.

After the operation, Charlie becomes incredibly intelligent, he begins to meet new people, but they are not impressive to him, because for him they are not so smart. The guy loses his friends from the bakery and actually his job because no one understands how Einstein turned out to be a fool. “Smart” Charlie begins to remember his childhood, look for his relatives and understand himself. But due to the small amount of time that is given to him, he gradually degrades to the state in which he was at the beginning of the book. He forgets all his achievements, all the languages ​​he learned, forgets how to read and write. And at the end of the novel, he finds himself in a shelter, where other people will take care of him, because he is not capable of it himself. But what Charlie does not forget is the mouse, which he buried in a box and brought him flowers.

My rating is 6.8/10.