Science fiction author Daniel Keyes has died.
Keyes output in the field was small, but he became a major name in the field for one magnificent short story, “Flowers for Algernon” (later expanded into a novel). The story won a Hugo; the novel won a Nebula. It’s still one of the greatest stories in the history of the field, with an ending that tears at your heart.
It was later made into the movie Charly, which won an Oscar for Dale Robertson.
please if you get a chanse put some flowrs on Daniels grave in the bak yard
Yes, it was a great story. Thanks, Mr. Keyes.
He wrote two of my all-time favourites:
Flowers for Algernon (few books have affected me as much or led me to reflect as much)
The Minds of Billy Milligan (an amazing, compelling read)
Thank you, Daniel. RIP
I loved the story and novel. Everybody loved the story and novel.
Except, possibly, Keyes.
I spent a year of graduate school at Ohio University, where Keyes was a professor in the English Dept. The word as soon as I arrived on campus was that I shouldn’t even think about seeking him out. He didn’t like science fiction fans. And the same was said to be true of Walter Tevis, of The Man Who to Earth fame, who was also a creative writing prof in the English Dept. So I didn’t.
Back before nerdism became chic, SF was a hard life.
Nitpick: Cliff Robertson.
RIP, Daniel Keyes. Flowers for Algernon was brilliantly human.
Where’s the fucking “like” button on this page?