Review: Flowers for Algernon

 I've recently read the book "Flowers for Algernon" by Daniel Keyes. I believe many people have read this book for their English class whether it be in Middle School or High School but I have not until now. I do not read too often because I usually don't feel like I have enough time, but when I do I enjoy it a lot.

Flowers for Algernon is written in a perspective from the main characters' (Charlie) diary log. Charlie is in his late 20s or early 30s and is a mentally handicapped individual who has a learning disability. Charlie works at a bakery and believes his friends are his coworkers, and the other mentally handicapped people who are in his learning class.  His life is changed one day when he is offered the chance to go under the knife to receive a surgery that should help him get smarter.

That is the basic premise of the book and as a reader we can see Charlie evolve through the months gaining knowledge and seeing people for who they really are. The books message to me is "would you rather live in blissful ignorance? or in the hard truths of life?". I believe it is a tough question with no correct answer. Sometimes we do need to face the hard truth, and other times we deserve the break to be happy while knowing less. Charlie who wanted to be smart all his life eventually gets it and can no longer enjoy himself because all he can see is the hard truth. Even though this book was written 64 years ago I think it is very relevant to today's society. Everybody is always trying to expose the "bads" of the world when sometimes we just need to enjoy life without too much worry.