Flowers for Algernon made me an emotional wreck.

Literally just finished it and I don't know what to think or feel, I just want to lay down, stare at my ceiling and think, and maybe cry. For sure one the most gripping, challenging and heartbreaking journeys I've ever followed. You know the kind of book you really love and can't wait to turn another page, but you have to bring yourself to stop for a while precisely because it's so powerful? That kind.

Every step in Charlie's evolution was done perfectly, from the first reports before the surgery, to learning basic words and concepts, to genius and finally to his decline. As I write, so many moments jump to my mind that I want to talk about. The moment he finally thinks he did something "right" with the mixer only to see that people suddenly did not approve of that. When he finally sees that his "friends" only like him because they can make fun of him. The way people constantly talk about him like he isn't there. The author's very deliberate use of the r-slur (at least in the translation I read). The way Nemur, and a lot of people, just wanted to use them to make themselves feel good, wanted to believe he was no one before the surgery. And every single one of his childhood memories. Every page of the book was packed to the brim with meaning.

I particularly enjoyed his journey with Alice's character. I relate to her so much. I'm also a scientist (or wannabe scientist, at least). I do volunteer work and love to help people. I, like her, make an effort to empathize with everyone. But, like her, I'm also regarded as intelligent, and, even if subconsciously, I'm proud of it. Seeing her clashes with Charlie, their heart-to-heart about her suddenly feeling extremely dumb around him… I know I would feel that way too. And I know I would also pity him in his final state, even though I strongly dislike feeling pity for anyone, because I know it sucks to be the target of it. But I still would. Seeing her, seeing all of the scientists, seriously made me question the way I look at people. The ways I might be treating them as inferior without noticing. I'd like to always be fair, to be perfect. But I'm only human.

Easy 5/5, one of the best I've picked up this year. Leave your thoughts if you have any! It's such a rich read, I'd love to discuss it.