In the story, written in the late 1950s, Charlie is a severely mentally disabled young adult who participates in a medical experiment to raise his IQ. The experiment works and his intelligence increases to beyond anyone around him, easily studying and becoming fluent in multiple difficult languages in a matter of weeks, for example. He discovers a flaw in the research methodology, though, and accurately predicts the ultimate return of his intelligence to original levels. It is both agonizing and heart-wrenching, a classic for obvious reasons, for his journey affects him individually, changes those around him, and encourages the reader to reflect on the very nature of identity. We felt particular agony over Charlie's journey, recognizing in it some elements of our own experience with brain injury and the sadness and unexpected questions about identity that arise from the severe changes that occur.
We noted that despite Charlie's IQ ascent/descent, in the end and throughout he seemed to have greater EQ than those around him, which was both his strength (recognizing the value of friends) and his agony (loneliness in both stages). His determination was also consistent and we remarked on the importance of this quality. We also talked about human weaknesses and the pain that we cause others, often through fear (Charlie's mother and his doctors). Great book, great discussions, agonizing read, but very worthwhile.
Our get-together included lunch! What fun:
