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Nicholas Whyte
According to Nicholas Whyte, "Flowers for Algernon" success is due to three thing--the beginning, middle, and end. The use of the diary format and the Charlie's obvious eagerness to "be smart" in the beginning draws the readers in, instantly wanting to know what happens. The middle of the story has two crucial scenes that enhance the story's success. The first, when Charlie "realizes that his colleagues from the bakery have been mocking him rather than being friendly. The second, when Charlie "realizes that his new intelligence puts him far ahead of the scientists who have created it as well." The last instance occurs at the end of the story, when Charlie realizes his intelligence is only temporary. The series of events end with Charlie asking someone to put flowers on Algernon's grave, but the readers know that Charlie is not dead, only leaving to try to find something better. Whyte gives Keyes's short story three out of three stars, but gives the novel an extra fourth star.
Brian W. Aldiss
Trillion Year Spree: The History of Science Fiction
1986
Aldiss prefers the original short story rather than the novel because the "moving story lost something of its power when expanded to novel length."
