Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes might just prove that ignorance is a bliss.
In this story, we follow Charlie Gordon, who is a “retarded” or what I would rather say, an intellectually challenged person. But despite what we assume is a bad thing, as every normal person assumes, he is quite content with what he limitedly knows about the world. He thinks he has friends, family, and a place to work, which he likes. But then there was also this aspiration to become smarter so he could finally be accepted by people around him, and most of all, his mother, so when Charlie was offered a brain operation to make him smarter, he gladly and optimistically accepted it.
But lo and behold, he became miserable. At the expense of becoming a genius, he remembers his past, which brings up trauma and unveils the true nature of the people he has been with. The people he considered friends weren’t actually his friends but rather enjoyed making fun of him for his disability.
Now, doesn’t that sound like when Eve bit the apple, gained all the knowledge in the world, and, in her shame, opened the box of sins? For all the Bible teaches, we could have remained in paradise if Eve hadn’t taken that bite—just as Charlie Gordon might have lived a simpler, happier life if he hadn’t undergone the operation to become smarter.
Alas, this was a painful read. Charlie did not have a respite. He got smart so fast and learned so many things at once that he couldn’t really keep up with what was happening. And before even figuring out a lot of things, he degenerated—much worse than he was before the surgery. This book is a tragedy!
This book, writing-wise, isn’t exactly exemplary, but the message it carries is incredibly strong. I probably wouldn’t pick it up again, though, because the writing style was a bit too mentally stimulating for me. It’s one of those reads that leaves a heavy impression, but not one I’d personally want to revisit.
Have you read this book? If you have, share your thoughts in the comments! If not, let me know if it’s on your list! ❤️
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