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The Algernon Effect
Chapbook
Published December 1, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 29, 2016
With "The Algernon Effect" Gene O'Neill shows us the intriguing yet sensitive lives of two damaged people, one a brilliant author with virtual no social skills and the other a young woman, hit by lightning as a child, who has difficulty dealing with others now that she is an adult. Both have come to live in a sheltered home living facility.
They discover that they are soulmates.
As the two surround each other they influence each other and change each other.
The story is told from the point of view of the young authors literary agent in a kind of flashback/overview narrative with kindness and true affection.
Mr. O'Neill has managed to tell an amazing and powerful human story in such a relative few pages that will impact you and frustrate you at the same time.
An excellent story.
This is copy 21 of 150 signed and numbered copies signed by Gene O'Neill.
Illustrations by Keith Minnion.
NOW -- White Noise Press chapbook for HWA member and jury award consideration for the 2015 Stoker Awards.
They discover that they are soulmates.
As the two surround each other they influence each other and change each other.
The story is told from the point of view of the young authors literary agent in a kind of flashback/overview narrative with kindness and true affection.
Mr. O'Neill has managed to tell an amazing and powerful human story in such a relative few pages that will impact you and frustrate you at the same time.
An excellent story.
This is copy 21 of 150 signed and numbered copies signed by Gene O'Neill.
Illustrations by Keith Minnion.
NOW -- White Noise Press chapbook for HWA member and jury award consideration for the 2015 Stoker Awards.
January 26, 2016
(Edited)
Sometime in the mid 1970's, I read a fantastic book titled "Flowers for Algernon" by Daniel Keyes. It was beautifully written, and the story was truly touching. I've reread it numerous times - although haven't done so in at least 10 years. I'm going to have to pick it up again after reading Mr. O'Neill's ode to that classic.
A favorite author of mine - Lisa Morton - had posted a picture of her copy of "The Algernon Effect" and the title alone caught my interest. I was able to secure a signed copy from Cemetery Dance Publications (if you follow my reviews, you know all about that wonderful company), although it is published by White Noise Press. I couldn't wait; not knowing what to expect.
The first thing I noticed was the attention to detail in the book itself. Coming in at only 23 pages, it looks more like an over-sized greeting card than a chapbook (complete with accompanying envelope), but that's where the similarities end. The book is well made and pleasant to look at - a foreshadow of what it contains.
On the surface, "The Algernon Effect" is a brilliantly written story about love and the bond between two lovers - but it is much more than that. Briefly, and without spoilers, it is the story of a New York Times best selling author who falls in love with a girl who lives in a home for the mentally challenged. He forsakes his writing to take a job as the live-in director of the home just to be with her. The ending is beautiful, in a sad, heartbreaking kind of way. As a reader, I was left with the same crushed feeling I had when I finished "Flowers for Algernon", but immediately felt I had to reread it.
I will certainly be looking for more works by Gene O'Neill. I haven't felt this way after reading a story in a very long time.; and if he can do that in 23 pages, I wonder what he can do in a full length novel.
Sometime in the mid 1970's, I read a fantastic book titled "Flowers for Algernon" by Daniel Keyes. It was beautifully written, and the story was truly touching. I've reread it numerous times - although haven't done so in at least 10 years. I'm going to have to pick it up again after reading Mr. O'Neill's ode to that classic.
A favorite author of mine - Lisa Morton - had posted a picture of her copy of "The Algernon Effect" and the title alone caught my interest. I was able to secure a signed copy from Cemetery Dance Publications (if you follow my reviews, you know all about that wonderful company), although it is published by White Noise Press. I couldn't wait; not knowing what to expect.
The first thing I noticed was the attention to detail in the book itself. Coming in at only 23 pages, it looks more like an over-sized greeting card than a chapbook (complete with accompanying envelope), but that's where the similarities end. The book is well made and pleasant to look at - a foreshadow of what it contains.
On the surface, "The Algernon Effect" is a brilliantly written story about love and the bond between two lovers - but it is much more than that. Briefly, and without spoilers, it is the story of a New York Times best selling author who falls in love with a girl who lives in a home for the mentally challenged. He forsakes his writing to take a job as the live-in director of the home just to be with her. The ending is beautiful, in a sad, heartbreaking kind of way. As a reader, I was left with the same crushed feeling I had when I finished "Flowers for Algernon", but immediately felt I had to reread it.
I will certainly be looking for more works by Gene O'Neill. I haven't felt this way after reading a story in a very long time.; and if he can do that in 23 pages, I wonder what he can do in a full length novel.
February 10, 2016
Great chapbook on how one person can affect another for good or bad. I will definitely read more of O'Neill's books.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews