Once again I’ve been knocked over the head by a book that I should have read long ago. Knowing that there are other books out there that I’ve missed is the kind of thing that keeps me up at night! This was a stunning read that made me bawl like a baby. If you haven’t had a chance to read this yet please do so. Please!

Flowers for Algernon

progris riport 1-martch 5, 1965
         
            Dr. Strauss says I shud rite down what I think and evrey thing
         that happins to me from now on, I dont know why but he says its
         importint so they will see if they will use me. I hope they use me.
         Miss Kinnian says maybe they can make me smart. I want to be
         smart. My name is Charlie Gordon. I am 37 years old. I have
         nuthing more to rite now so I will close for today.

“I was her bestist pupil in the Beckman School for retarted adults and I tryed the hardist becus I reely wantd to lern I wantid it more even then pepul who are smarter even then me.” 

“How strange it is that people of honest feelings and sensibility  who would not take advantage of a man born without arms or legs or eyes-how such people think nothing of abusing a man with low intelligence.” 

“Dr Strauss said I had something that was very good. He said I had a good motor-vation. I never ever knew I had that. I felt proud when he said that not every body with an eye-q of 68 had that thing. I don't know what it is or where I got it but he said Algernon had it too. Algernons motor-vation is the cheese they put in his box. But it cant be that because I didnt eat any cheese last week.” 

― Daniel Keyes, Flowers for Algernon

The Classics Club