Flowers for Algernon

I read this as a story, then as a book, and then saw the film (Charly). They were all brilliant: I think this has to be one of the all-time best SF novels, and I was hugely impressed that it was a set work in the South African matric syllabus recently - meaning even the SA educational authorities recognise its worth.

I must have read Flowers in around 1968, because I saw the film very shortly afterwards - and had to explain things to the people I saw it with, to the extent of being vigorously "Shushed!" I was a little too young to appreciate the bioethics side of it all - around 14 - but on re-exposure as an adult, and again when my son read it in the 2000s as a school set-work, the true genius of Keyes and the deeper ramifications of his book became evident.

I think it is, quite simply, one of the best SF books ever published. It should also be required reading at ALL high schools, and for researchers in the human and biological sciences as well.

I think it is heartbreakingly sad, uplifting, compassionate - and I am going to re-read it soon, because my daughter reminded me how much I liked it.