Thread: Literature Talk: Russian & Non -Discuss/Review/Q&As

I am planning to read "Flowers for Algernon" by Daniel Keyes though it would be a hard journey for a non-native since a great part of the story is written with mistakes as a little boy would write it. There are two versions: a short story (Hugo Award for Best Short Story) and a novel (Nebula Award for Best Novel). Anybody have an idea which one is better to start with the short story or the novel?

Originally Posted by CoffeeCup

I am planning to read "Flowers for Algernon" by Daniel Keyes though it would be a hard journey for a non-native since a great part of the story is written with mistakes as a little boy would write it. There are two versions: a short story (Hugo Award for Best Short Story) and a novel (Nebula Award for Best Novel). Anybody have an idea which one is better to start with the short story or the novel?

The complete short story is available online, and here are the first two paragraphs to give you an idea of the language:

progris riport 1-martch 5, 1965

Dr. Strauss says I shud rite down what I think and evrey thing that happins to me from now on, I dont know why but he says its importint so they will see if they will use me. I hope they use me.

Miss Kinnian says maybe they can make me smart. I want to be smart. My name is Charlie Gordon. I am 37 years old. I have nuthing more to rite now so I will close for today.

progris riport 2-martch 6

I had a test today. I think I faled it. And I think maybe now they wont use me. What happind is a nice young man was in the room and he had some white cards and ink spillled all over them. He sed Charlie what do vo see on this card. I was very skared even tho I had my rabits foot in my pockit because when I was a kid I always faled tests in school and I spillled ink to.
I told him I saw a inkblot. He said yes and it made me feel good.
I thot that was all but when I got up to go he said Charlie we are not thrn yet.


As you can see, the mistakes are mostly phonetic (e.g., "shud rite" instead of "should write"), but occasionally Charlie makes mistakes based on the shapes of letters (writing vo instead of "yo" for "you", and thrn instead of "thru" for "through").

Originally Posted by CoffeeCup

Anybody have an idea which one is better to start with the short story or the novel?

I don't know. I have only read the short story. And I don't know exactly why I couldn't bring myself to read the novel. It could be a fear of being disappointed, or in other words disbelief in that this story could be just as powerful in form of a novel. The short story is so intense... Another reason could be that I may not want to relive through this once more.

though it would be a hard journey for a non-native

It will not for you. I'm sure.

Originally Posted by CoffeeCup

I am planning to read "Flowers for Algernon" by Daniel Keyes though it would be a hard journey for a non-native since a great part of the story is written with mistakes as a little boy would write it. There are two versions: a short story (Hugo Award for Best Short Story) and a novel (Nebula Award for Best Novel). Anybody have an idea which one is better to start with the short story or the novel?

CoffeeCup,
I agree with E-Learner that you should be able to handle this book. Your English is VERY good! And if you run into troubles... I have an idea. If you recall, Olya had a thread dedicated to a movie she was watching where she posted question just about that movie. ... you could always start a thread just about this book and post questions and we can help you out.

I have never read this book or the short story. I do recall hearing about the musical as it won awards and was popular when I was in school. I'm certain I can get a copy of the full version either online or at our library if you plan on reading the full version (Throbert has already found the short version online for us) and would be willing to try and help you out with any questions.

So... let's get this summer reading underway.. between Dorian Grey and Flowers... we have a nice book selection this summer!