Algernon, Charlie, and I: A Writer's Journey

I recently reread "Flowers For Algernon", after being introduced to it in junior high school.I wanted to know some of the secrets behind the book, so I decided to read this.Daniel Keyes describes the experiences which led him to write his novel.I wondered if he had visited a facility like the Warren Home ( before he wrote "Flowers"). He did.He answers many questions, including how he created the name "Charlie Gordon".I really enjoyed this autobiography.Thank you. Thank you Daniel Keyes!

Daniel Keyes changed my life. Specifically, when I read Flowers for Algernon, I understood for the first time in my (then) young life that the written word...a book...had the power to change the world, or at the very least, the way we see or understand it. The lovely journey which Daniel Keyes takes in ALGERNON, CHARLIE, AND I: A WRITER'S JOURNEY, is an informative, charming look at the process this author took as he became the writer who could create Charlie, Algernon, and their story. Originally written as a science fiction story, FLOWERS FOR ALGERNON was later expanded by Keyes into a full-length novel after the story received so much critical acclaim. If you enjoyed the novel and/or the movie CHARLIE (the 1968 version of the film starred Cliff Robertson in his Oscar-winning role as Charlie) of the later version of the book-to-film starring Matthew Modine, you will find this book both illuminating and satisfying. A highly enjoyable read about an author whose work is scored upon my heart.

Revealing about Keys personality as well as how he learned the art of writing fiction. One will see how he acquired the elements of the story as well as how he honed his craft. His sensitive personality is revealed.

...and no slight intended to the author's memory but the focus of this memoir-of-sorts is truly the creation and writing of one story and one story only, along with the deserved accolades and puzzling tribulations that followed. If you seek an intimate account of such, this delivers, but if you seek a "How To" guide on writing fiction and making a career out of that, then read other authors' biographies instead. I find it interesting that the lone anthology of Keyes' short fiction is available only in Japanese.

Great read! Provides insight into Mr. Keyes’ experiences and creative impulses that lead to the writing of “Flowers for Algernon”.

I had Daniel Keyes as my creative writing teacher at Ohio U in the late '80s. I learned a lot from him, and really enjoyed the class, so when I saw that he had written a book ostensibly about writing, I grabbed it. While it was an interesting story, it's more about his life, and how fantastic "Flowers for Algernon" is, rather than about writing. It's kind of a shame, because he's written other things, but in this pretty much all he talks about is "Flowers."That said, I found it interesting, and it gave me some motivation to pursue my own writing projects with more vigor. If you enjoyed "Flowers," or "The Minds of Billy Milligan," I think this is worth reading.

I read Flowers for Algernon, again, for the third time and some how found this book while randomly searching on the net.I was excited to hear D. Keyes answer "What if." I went through this book with a vigor that didn't allow me to put it down. D. Keyes answered "What if"... but it wasn't to the question I hoped for. He specifically states that he doesn't answer questions about the book, because it takes away from it. I believe that this is true but I just hoped he'd delve. He didn't.If you are looking for a true story on the struggle of evolving and amazing idea then please read. If you're looking for the answers to all your "Algeron/Charlie" questions use your imagination. :)

This is a pleasant and readable book, mostly about the writing, rewriting and selling of the sci-fi classic "Flowers for Algernon." Without naming me, he refers to me on p. 132 as "a colleague, in whom I'd confided." I'm pleased to be mentioned, though he forgot that the idea of tracing Charlie's spiritual curve was entirely my idea, not his. There is very little about Daniel Keyes' other books; I wish there was more. And I wish more of his books were turned into Hollywood films.

This is an amazing book for writers: Daniel Keyes' autobiography focusing on how he created the story 'Flowers for Algernon', which is one of the most famous science fiction stories ever. (The short story won the Hugo, the novel version the Nebula - it doesn't get any better than that).I love the book. It shows where the Keyes got the ideas for the story: lots of elements - something picked up here, something there, an interesting thought, an overheard snippet of conversation, an observation, a personal experience - all came together into a single story. It's as if this story was meant to be written, as if Keyes' life was a treasure hunt to gather all the necessary ingredients for this particular story.One section which resonated greatly with me was the reaction of the first editor to whom Keyes offered the story. It was the editor of the leading science fiction story zine of the day. He liked the story, and wanted to buy and publish it - on one condition: The ending must be changed. He insisted on a happy ending where Charlie retains his intelligence. This, he felt, would make the story more satisfactory for readers.I really felt for Daniel Keyes in this dilemma. At this stage, he had stories published, but not yet in a big prestigeous magazine. Here was his chance. Should he trust the editor's judgement, give in and change the story, to get the prestigeous publication credit which would get him recognition? Or should be stick with his vision for the story, and lose the chance?He decided to stick with his vision. It turned out to be the right choice: Another prestigeous publication bought it. And then the story won the Hugo for best short story, and everything went upwards from there.What would have happened had Keyes trusted the first editor's judgement? No doubt, it would have been a good, satisfying story - but it would also have been a forgettable one. Sixty years after publication, nobody would remember it.Keyes sticking to his vision - at the risk of never getting the story published at all - resulted in a story which, once read, can never be forgotten.'Algernon, Charlie and I' by Daniel Keyes is, I think, an inspiring, thought-provoking and encouraging book for writers to read.To understand the book, you need to be familiar with either the short story or the novel. Fortunately, the short story is included at the end of the book. If you haven't read it yet, I recommend reading the story before reading the main part of the book.

Good read.

In Algernon, Charlie, and I: A Writer’s Journey führt Daniel Keyes uns in sein Reich als Autor und den beschwerlichen Weg dorthin. Neben der Originalfassung von “Flowers for Algernon” als Kurzroman findet man in diesem Buch den Entstehungsweg zum Kurzroman (1958), dem Roman (1966), dem Musical, dem Film aus 1968 sowie die Neuverfilmung 2000, wenn auch nur ganz kurz geschildert.Bewegt hat mich die Sicht von Daniel Keyes als Autor und auch den nicht so sicher aussehenden Weg dorthin. Seine Eltern hatten sich etwas anderes für ihn vorgestellt und er selbst wollte es den Eltern recht machen. Wer sich für Hintergründe zu dem Roman interessiert und wissen will, wer hinter dem Buch steckt, macht nichts falsch, in dem er dieses Büchlein kauft.Ich kann es nur empfehlen. Es liest sich gut und ist nicht fade.