Flowers for Algernon
Daniel Keyes
33 people recommended it in 23 threads, 2009–2026.
2 of those were in the last year.
1 commenter pushed back on it — worth reading the threads.
What people on Hacker News said
About a mentally handicapped man who receives a surgery that gradually turns him into the smartest man alive. Lots of focus on how empathy, humility and respect has to go alongside pure knowledge. And also that mentally handicapped are people too.
Maybe also Flowers for Algernon (Daniel Keyes) for being a really creative concept (the way the story is told) and for being a wonderful example on how interesting modest sci-fi can be without resorting to "LAZERZ!!!".
Honestly, "Flowers for Algernon" is the most frightening story I ever read. It made me realize that whatever intelligence I have right now I got basically by accident and that I may lose it at any time. There's nothing I can do to prevent this and - in case it happens - (EDIT: in the end) I won't even recognize what I lost.
Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes showed me how by looking through the world via a lens of intellect, you can often miss the point.
because it's so beautifully written and made me experience a flood of emotions.
In terms of the book that's perhaps made me think and reflect the most, Daniel Keyes Flowers for Algernon has probably had the greatest effect on me.
Where it comes up
- Ask HN: Great fiction books that have had a positive impact on your life? 2020 · 4 recommendations
- Ask HN: Which book are you reading these days? 2026 · 2 recommendations
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- Ask HN: Books you read in 2022 and recommend for 2023 2022 · 2 recommendations
- Ask HN: Books you read in 2018? 2018 · 2 recommendations
- Ask HN: What's one book that changed your life? 2018 · 2 recommendations
- Ask HN: Which books have made you introspect? 2018 · 2 recommendations
- Ask HN: What is the most mind blowing book you've ever read? 2015 · 2 recommendations
- Ask HN: What's your favorite book you've read? 2025 · 1 recommendation
- The Mensa Reading List for Grades 9-12 2025 · 1 recommendation
- Books I Loved Reading in 2024 2025 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: What book have you re-read 3x or more? 2022 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: What are the best short tech/engineering books you have read? 2022 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: Best books you read in the past decade? 2019 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: What was the one book that you read and it actually changed your life? 2018 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: Books you read in 2017? 2017 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: What are your favorite books of all time, and why? 2017 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: What books have made the biggest impact on your mental models? 2017 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: Books you wish you had read earlier? 2017 · 1 recommendation
- Ask HN: Books you read in 2016? 2016 · 1 recommendation