A mentally retarded adult has a brain operation that turns him into a genius.

Mentally retarded Charlie Gordon participates in an experiment which turns him into a genius but only temporarily.

The author of Flowers for Algernon discusses the highs & lows of the writing life, as well as his methods for creating fiction. In his bestselling novel Flowers for Algernon, Daniel Keyes created an unlikely duo—a laboratory mouse and a man—who captured the hearts of millions of readers around the world. Now, in Algernon, Charlie, and I, Keyes reveals his methods of creating fiction as well as the heartbreaks and joys of being published. For the first time, readers, writers, teachers, and students can glimpse the creative life behind this cherished novel. Includes the original novelette version of Flowers for Algernon

The ultimate 'what if' novel, from the million-copy-bestselling author of FLOWERS FOR ALGERNON: 'A masterpiece of poignant brilliance ... heartbreaking' Guardian Karen and Barney Stark should never have married. Childless, uncomfortable and incompatible, their marriage has not been a success, and the lack of a child only makes the tension between them worse. And living their lives to the beat of a fertility clock only adds to the increasingly volatile atmosphere. When an incident at Barney's workplace causes them both to be unknowingly contaminated with radioactive dust, they also become pariahs - in their neighbourhood and with their families. But things are only going to get worse. Karen discovers she is pregnant and as their closest friends become frightened enemies, the dream of becoming parents turns into a nightmare...