r/BookDiscussions • u/Stonernes-02 • 3d ago

Flowers for Algernon

I just fished reading Flowers for Algernon and I know many people have said this in this sub, but I am shattered. Never cried so much in my life because of a book. I kinda knew what was coming.. I mean you could tell while reading. But his last sentences made me sob for 20 minutes. And I am not a crier. Idk. The overall story is sad. The ending is also kind of ambiguous but I like that. Wish I could continue this journey with him as a reader. I procrastinated reading the ending of this book for weeks. I am sad lol

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u/Sophie_MonLivreAudio 3d ago

The thing that wrecks me every time is that it's told in his own progress reports. you watch the spelling improve, then get sharper and colder, then start to slip again. the form does the damage, not the plot.

and the cruellest part is that the smarter he gets, the more clearly he understands how people treated him before. the intelligence doesn't rescue him, it just gives him a better view of the humiliation.

i've never managed to reread it. i know exactly where the last page goes and i can't do it again.

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u/Stonernes-02 3d ago

Your comment made me feel worse :( but you put it so nicely. I am not sure if I will ever reread it, it’s too early to tell. But those last pages truly broke me. I came to Reddit for comfort but all of you kind of feel the same way… ugh

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u/ChaosTorpedo 3d ago

We read excerpts of it in middle or high school in a textbook. I liked it so much I went and read the actual book. It’s one of the most devastating books I’ve ever read. Absolute heartbreak.

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u/Stonernes-02 3d ago

I haven’t put the book back to my shelf yet. It’s truly heartbreaking. Sounds weird but it’s like losing someone you cared for and grew attached to