Combining science with emotion

Flowers for Algernon Daniel Keyes Published by Mariner Books ISBN 015603008X

Imagine you are a mouse in a maze. It may take many painful failures before you find your way out.

But what if you were a smarter mouse? What if you were a smarter person?

Flowers for Algernon, a novel published in 1966, follows the life of Charlie Gordon, 32, who has an IQ of just 68 and has issues of self-esteem.

He becomes the first human to undergo surgery to boost intelligence.

Then he realises that he is just as vulnerable despite his increased complexity.

The scientists do not recognise Charlie's full potential, and continue to insult and mock him. Above all, he is lonely.