Should have read classics discussion

This is the nominated group read for July. Please remember spoiler alerts during the early part of the discussion. Happy reading!

Hello. I'm new to this group. I just bought this book and am excited to join in.

Excellent! Welcome to the group and I hope that you enjoy the book!

I finished this yesterday and it left me rather sad. It is a good book, I have never seen the movie "Charlie", so I can't compare that. It is a book that at certain parts it was hard to read. Rather reminded me of the movie "Awakenings". Can't wait to discuss this with others.

I also just finished this book a few days ago and felt the same way. It was sad and left me really troubled. Would love to join in for the discussions when it happens.

I was wondering if you had a hard time reading the first and last parts of the book due to the grammar and punctuation?

No Lisa, I did not have trouble reading it, at least not most of the times, but in some places had to read it again to be sure. I am sure this was because my mind was reading it with the correct grammar and punctuation. Unfortunately, I am wired that way; to read things the way they are supposed to be rather than how they actually are.

However, I found his progress a little too dramatic. Did you feel that way too?

I like that it made the story flow. It was quite quick, but I liked the story for it. Not realistic maybe, but easier to read. I have to admit the part about commas and punctuation made me laugh out loud. I have a terrible time remembering the correct placement of commas, so I'm sure that there are times, that my, writing looks, like that! Ha!
I thought that it was realistic of his struggle to transition from a "boy thinking" to a grown man. Charlie's struggle to come to terms with real world problems in context of being 32 was really interesting.

I thought it was an interesting psychological unfolding as Charlie's intelligence increased. The new and improved Charlie refers to his old self in the third person but old Charlie affects his decisions and ability to navigate through the experience of connecting with others. As his memories come back it was so difficult to hear how cruel his mother and sister were to him. This book challenged my own beliefs regarding a person depending on how intact their intelligence is. This isn't something I ever really considered but as Charlie questions this about himself I had to stop and ask myself what are my own beliefs/fears/uncomfortableness with the idea that I may lose my own ability to navigate this world intelligently. I watched my dear Grandmother descend into an unspeaking person with dementia. This book touched on my own fears of this possible fate. I'm glad Daniel Keyes included Charlie's self discovery of love and relationships. I thought this book was well written.

I am about half-way through the book and I am thoroughly enjoying it. It is obvious that the reader will feel sorry for Charlie. His dilemma is something no one would want to experience. It makes you feel happy for your own state of mind. Honestly, what can I complain about after reading Charlie's flashbacks and realization of the cruelty of his "friends", mother, and sister? I love that his dad seemed to be the only person that stood up for him. I'm excited to continue reading but I'm guessing from the comments above that Charlie's intelligence will dwindle back to what it was in the beginning of the story (I don't want that for him but I'm not the author).
I requested the movie "Charly" from the library. I plan to watch it after I finish the book. I think I will also read the short story version because if it is appropriate I would love to read it with my seventh graders.

Laura wrote: "I thought it was an interesting psychological unfolding as Charlie's intelligence increased. The new and improved Charlie refers to his old self in the third person but old Charlie affects his deci..."

I'm about 75% through. I read the short story some time ago, so I think we all know how it's going to end, but the book goes into a lot more detail. I think it spends more time on the social aspect, how he has shifted in the eyes of others from being friendly to being overbearing.

I did like (view spoiler)[ the scene at the convention where he let Algernon loose, and is telling him which way to run. <\spoiler>

I don't remember as much time in being spent in the short story on the family drama. It was interesting to see that there were quacks out there, and maybe there still are, who claim to be able to make a child smarter. (hide spoiler)]

Laura wrote: "I thought it was an interesting psychological unfolding as Charlie's intelligence increased. The new and improved Charlie refers to his old self in the third person but old Charlie affects his deci..."

It does give you that uncomfortable feeling about how you treat people that are different or lower in the intelligence scale. It is similar in how The Metamorphosis made me think about how we can dehumanize people even when they are family. Charlie started realizing his humanity and that he does matter, so I can understand that he wouldn't want to feel like just a research subject.

I went and saw the movie Lucy with Scarlett Johansen. In it she becomes increasingly intelligent after an ingested drug opens up her ability to use a higher and higher percentage of her brain. I thought that after reading Flowers that this would be an interesting movie to compare similar themes. The movie is an action adventure and shows the gifts as well as the alienation as Lucy becomes so smart she becomes less human and more super human. Has anyone else seen the movie?

I have never heard of it. Might have to look for it. Thanks for the heads up!

Lisa wrote: "I have never heard of it. Might have to look for it. Thanks for the heads up!"

I've seen the ads, but I haven't seen the movie.