Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 11th January, 2018.

Did I tell you I like reading the occasional book?

Every-so-often?

Usually — and if I have time — at night, when I’m in bed.

One I’ve been reading for the past few weeks?   Is Daniel Keyes’ Flower for Algernon.

The book tells the story of Charlie Gordon: a man born with severe intellectual disabilities, and whose goal in life?

Is to become smarter.

And who is subjected to an experimental procedure to do exactly that.

Charlie benefits, over a course of months: learning languages, how to play the piano, and improving his literacy over the course of the novel.

Learning how to interact with others, and have romantic relationships.

Only to realise, at a psychiatric conference he’s contributing to?

That the effects of the surgery are temporary.

That his intellectual abilities are going to decline … 

~≈§≈~

How did I feel about Flower for Algernon*†?

I have to admit, that’s one heck of a read.

 I came across it, after googling for ‘good science fiction’: and coming across it in several ‘Top One Hundred Sci-fi books’ list.

It’s listed in quite a few, as the best bit of SF ever written.

I couldn’t tell you if it is or it isn’t.

But, my lord … 

I think, in its sheer emotion, in it’s depiction of a man raised from idiocy to godhood, and back again?   In it’s depiction of a man raised and then, through no fault of his own, falling down again?   In a depiction of a man dragged out of a very real hell and being sent back again?

Is something you need to read.

Flowers for Algernon

★★★★

~≈§≈~

Let’s move on, shall we?

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Olga‡ and Debbi^ putting in their answers: with Olga scoring twelve out of twelve, and Debbi bagging eleven.   The day’s also seen Patrice letting me know her answers, via Facebook Messenger: and scoring 12 out of twelve.

Let’s see how everyone does with today’s questions and answers.

Here they are, along with the How To, License and video … 

Q1) Old school rapper, Big Bank Hank was born on 11th January, 1956.   Which seminal rap group had he been a member of?

Q2) Union activist, Arthur Scargill was born on 11th January, 1938.   Which miners union did he led, from 1982 to 2002?

Q3) England held its first what on 11th January, 1569: election, lottery or marathon?

Q4) Which University awarded its first degrees on 11th January, 1973?

Q5) Finally … the first aviator to fly solo from Hawaii to California, did so on 11th January, 1935.   Who was that aviator?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers … 

Q1) 10th January saw the death of singer, David Bowie.   In which year?

A1) 2016.

Q2) What was the name of the last album he released: during his lifetime?

A2) Blackstar.

Q3) What, in 1967, was the name of his first successful, UK Top Ten single?

A3) The Laughing Gnome.

Q4) What, in 1969, was the name of his first successful, UK Top Five single?

A4) Space Oddity.

Q5) 1970 saw him release one of his earliest, successful LPs.   What was the LP called?

A5) The Man Who Sold the World.

Q6) Jessica Lange does a cover of Bowie’s Life on Mars: in a series of American Horror Story.   Which series of American Horror Story?

A6) Series four: Freak Show.

Q7) Which of his albums did Bowie describe as being ‘plastic soul’?

A7) Young Americans.

Q8) The Associates, Duran Duran and Screamfeeder, all covered which Bowie song?

A8) Boys Keep Swinging.

Q9) In which Scorcese film did Bowie play Pontius Pilate?

A9) The Last Temptation of Christ.

Q10) He plays Jareth, the Goblin King, in which Jim Henson film?

A10) Labyrinth.

Q11) Bowie did a version of Dancin’ In The Street for the Live Aid concert in 1985.   With whom?

A11) Mick Jagger.

Q12) Finally … What — in 2013 — was Bowie’s last UK top ten hit?

A12) Where Are They Now?.

Here’s a thought …

“Mystical experiences, like those that marked my childhood, are apparently far from rare.”

Albert Hofman, 11 January 1906 – 29 April 2008.

And a song … 

Today’s questions will be answered in tomorrow’s Teaser.

Have a good day.

*        Someone will inevitable mention films like Lawnmower Man: where someone with similar disabilities, gets similar procedures.   And try an compare it to Flowers for Algernon.   I won’t.   Lawnmower Man is a re-telling to Frankenstein and tells us — basically — that such technology is evil: because it turned its the Lawnmower Man into a monster.   Flowers for Algernon tell us technology is experimental: and that, sadly, it has bad results, as well as good.

†        I’m also thinking the book’s a damn good metaphor for something like Alzheimer’s.   One day, you’re functioning perfectly normally.   The next?   You’ve got the worst possible diagnosis: that you are going to die years before your death.

‡        Glad to hear it, Olga!   I can only hope this set’s just as good!   (Oh … I’ve gone and finished Flowers for Algernon: if that’s not a metaphor for more than just Alzheimer’s, I’m a duck!)

^        I bet it was, Debbi!   I’m thinking the only thing that would get more interesting would be the early (stage) showings of the Rocky Horror Show.   (I’d not have minded catching Bowie, live: I’m told he was one hell of a showman!!)