Like the mouse Algernon, who has already been experimented upon, Charlie's intelligence is artificially increased to genius level (see Medicine Superman), a process exhilaratingly narrated through a sequence of Conceptual Breakthroughs. Something over five million copies have been sold.įlowers for Algernon is the story, in his own words (largely in epistolary form), of Charlie Gordon, a man in early middle age who longs to improve himself, though his IQ is 68 (see Intelligence). It is arguably the most popular sf novel ever published, partly because it has been very widely taught in schools, despite controversy aroused by its inclusion of some Sex as the protagonist matures it has remained constantly in print since 1966, in more than one language. He is known mainly for one excellent novel, Flowers for Algernon (April 1959 F&SF exp 1966), winner of a 1960 Hugo in its magazine form and of a 1966 Nebula for the full-length book version the book was filmed as Charly ( 1968) and has also been adapted into other media, including Radio, stage and Television versions for further details of the many adaptations, see Flowers for Algernon. He began his sf career as associate editor of Marvel Science Fiction (see Marvel Science Stories), February-November 1951, and began publishing work of genre interest in that magazine with 'Precedent' in 1952. (1927-2014) US author and university lecturer in English.

Daniel keyes