What it takes to write one great book is a lifetime of preparation. It
seems that every element of Daniel Keyes' life, up to the writing of
Flowers for Algernon, was gearing toward that one great book. Every
piece of Charlie's life, and every phrase spoken by his coworkers and
the scientists who changed him came from Keyes' experience.
Half of this autobiography is the set-up to his great novel, the one work that would define his life. The other half is the aftermath. Thrust into fame and the machine that profits off other's works, Keyes' found himself tossed to and fro.
A writer wants to write, not to examine contracts and make decisions about rights. A writer wants to create and then to own his creations, not to see what came from his mind as property to be arbitrated. Daniel Keyes' found himself in the fortunate position of creating a work of beauty and then wrestling with ownership of that beauty for many years afterward.
What I loved about this autobiography is the journey which prepared him to write a great novel - showing the work and creativity and effort that goes into an instance of genius. What I also loved was the life's lessons learned that he put down on paper so that another person might have an easier journey.
- CV Rick
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