🎬"Flowers for Algernon" by Daniel Keyes

"Flowers for Algernon" by Daniel Keyes, read by Mattie Overall
Beautiful, funny & heartbreaking, Keyes' brilliant short story is a true classic. Just don't get too attached to the mouse 🐭 🌻
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#FlowersForAlgernon #DanielKeyes #MattiesStoryland
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[@Lectwar6]

I only learned of Flowers for Algernon 3 hours ago. So far all of my friends have read it but I at the age of 32 somehow never heard of it. Upon watching your performance I am completely overwhelmed, I cannot stop crying. I feel that had I just read it, while I would have appreciated it for sure, the impact of Charlie and Algernon's story would not have hit me with the impact that it did here. Before I found your video I already ordered the book and I think that no matter what this story was going to stick with me for the rest of my life. But after watching this its your performance that ultimately ensured every time I see a little white mouse I will think of Charlie and Algernon. Thank you.

[@MattiesStoryland]

Thank you so much, Lectwar. You words are very kind and tremendously appreciated. "Algernon" is a truly wonderful - though heartbreaking - story. It was a pleasure to narrate, and I'm so glad tears came to your eyes. They always do to mine.

[@bernadettekeefe944]

Mattie you have made me cry…..I’ve never heard of Charlie Gordon ….and now you have brought him to life with such pathos. You are a master at bringing characters to life. I have sat for the last few hours, gripped by your voice and facial expressions, one moment feeling outrage at Frank and Charlie and the world, then laughing at the jokes within Charlie’s experiences. My heart is aching yet thank you so very much for letting me share Charlies’ journey. Please be proud of yourself.Xx

[@MattiesStoryland]

Thanks Bernie. Such a terribly sad story, isn't it?

[@Lonewolfpack]

As someone with a learning disability, this is built as sad and relatable book

[@MattiesStoryland]

I'm glad it spoke to you, LWP. Apologies for the late reply.

[@reneeeckard5479]

Oh Mattie, this is just divine. Flawless.

[@MattiesStoryland]

Thank you Renee, that's very kind of you. I had a lot of fun putting this together, and though it is far from flawless (but thank you again), I am rather proud of it. Thank you so much for watching and commenting, and for the wonderful compliment.

[@levimatthew8911]

The short story version is the best imo. A true masterpiece.

[@MattiesStoryland]

I absolutely agree.

[@EnCryptedHorror]

This is absolutely brilliant! One of my favourite stories perfectly brought to life by you. Incredible work! Hard sub 👍

[@MattiesStoryland]

Thank you Jasper, both for your compliment and for promoting me on your channel. It is all very much appreciated 🙂

[@suemuradyan9160]

The story revived with this actor! Thank you!

[@31deenero2008]

this was absolutely beautiful I was lookind for an audiobook and found so much more. truly a flawless job. thanks, you have a fan in ecuador now

[@MattiesStoryland]

Thank you, Deenero. I'm so glad you enjoyed my reading of this truly wonderful story. My best wishes to you in Ecuador.

[@kallinoel]

Wonderfully done! I normally don't listen to audiobooks, but your telling of this story pulled me in and I watched the entire thing. You did a great job capturing Charlie's character throughout his transformation. Thank you for your time and effort recording this and sharing it with all of us!

[@MattiesStoryland]

Thank you very much, Kalli. Believe me, it was entirely my pleasure 😄 I'm so glad you enjoyed the reading.

[@charlescharliejpeg]

Your voice is amazing. Thank you for sharing your gift with us.

[@MattiesStoryland]

Thank you Charlotte, it is absolutely my pleasure.

[@casard5235]

Hello, and thank you for Flowers For Algernon. The first time that I read it was decades ago and it has, since, had a strong place in my head and heart. Your evocative telling of the story reaffirms this. Thank you, again.

[@MattiesStoryland]

Absolutely my pleasure, Casard. It was a true pleasure for me to create. So glad you enjoyed it.

[@FigofFae]

Absolutely floored by your performance! I feel utterly devastated by your dear Charlie and you’ve hit on the perfect way to present his report entries in handwriting and in person. Must give credit to Encrypted for recommending your channel. Subscribed!

[@MattiesStoryland]

Thank you Lilith. Such a heartbreaking story, isn't it? And a big thank you to Jasper at Encrypted for his recommendation.

[@Adam_Adam_Adam]

One of the best short stories there is

[@MattiesStoryland]

I couldn't agree more, Adam.

[@sthembisolearnet897]

Thank you Mattie this is what i needed❤

[@MattiesStoryland]

Thank you , SL. I'm very glad the story reached you, and I appreciate your taking the time to comment (and very much appreciate your subscription).

[@clockworkclockwisepro4925]

Brilliant and tragic, your portrayal was heartbreaking and familiar. Thank you.

[@MattiesStoryland]

Thank you CCP, that is very kind.

[@scottbelyea9720]

I tip my hat to you Sir. This performance is illuminating and like all the others here have recognized: brilliant. Thank you indeed for the experience!

[@MattiesStoryland]

It was absolutely my pleasure, Scott. I'm so glad you enjoyed the reading. Thank you for your remarks.

[@spikeoramathon]

You. Are. Amazing. Not only a great reader, but a talented performer. You made Charlie Gordon come alive. I'm bingeing your content now. You have a new fan.

[@MattiesStoryland]

Ha, thank you Beverly, that is very kind of you to say. I did have a lot of fun with this one, and enjoyed inhabiting Charlie for a while.

[@jamiesackie5508]

My students are enjoying your performance of this SO MUCH. I'm so grateful.

[@MattiesStoryland]

Thank you, Jamie. I'm so glad your students enjoyed my telling of this wonderful story. By the way, I usually reply to posts more expeditiously, but I have been a little unwell as of late. My apologies!

[@susiemcgowan5]

Beautifully done. Thank you for bringing this book to life so wonderfully. It was almost as if Charley was telling the story himself. Such a poignant story that touches the deepest part of one’s heart and soul. Your reading of it was amazing. Thank you again.

[@MattiesStoryland]

Thank you Susie, I'm so glad you enjoyed it.

[@ЄвгенВЛ]

Thanks for your great work. Acting was performed perfectly!

[@MattiesStoryland]

Thank you very much Evgeniy, that's very kind of you to say. I'm so glad you enjoyed the reading.

[@Enryu32]

Thank you so much for this sir, flowers for algernon is my favorite book!

[@MattiesStoryland]

Thank you Enryu, it was absolutely my pleasure. Such a wonderful story.

[@juneroberts5305]

Mind-blowing talent packed in just one hour and 23 minutes. Excellent execution. 🌸 (Found your channel through a recommendation by one of your subscribers. 👍🏻)

[@MattiesStoryland]

Thank you June, I'm so glad you enjoyed it (and very glad you found your way here).

[@Lonewolfpack]

A amazing but sad book

[@MattiesStoryland]

I agree (on both counts).

[@lauraJP76]

That was an amazing performance. New subscriber here, Jasper (Encrypted Classic Horror) sent me over and I'm grateful he did. I'm looking forward to watching all your videos. Thank you very much for sharing your talents.

[@MattiesStoryland]

Thank you Laura, that's very much appreciated. I'm so glad you enjoyed the reading, and also that you subscribed. I hope you find a few more readings of mine that you enjoy. And I, too, am very grateful that Jasper sent you over 😄

[@eng200899introlit]

Thank you so much for this. It's a tough story to make fully available to readers with visual impairments, but this really does it. (With one exception, which is that the dates of the entries are not spoken.)

[@MattiesStoryland]

Absolutely my pleasure, SR. So glad you enjoyed it 😀 I did consider vocalizing the entry dates but thought that might take some people out of the story.

[@thed.i.yreader1841]

Amazing

[@MattiesStoryland]

Thank you, DIY. It's a wonderful (though heartbreaking) story and was a pleasure to read.

[@spurs752]

I have no doubt that Daniel Keyes would have appreciated your outstanding interpretation of his extremely poignant story. It is a travesty that it has so few views and a sad reflection on today's world where so-called "influencers" get millions of views for churning out drivel. It reminded me a lot of the film Awakenings with Robert De Niro and Robin Williams. I don't usually like to watch the reader when listening to an audiobook but your performance of this masterpiece enhanced the story greatly. Chapeau Mattie.

[@MattiesStoryland]

Thank you very much, BFP. That is high praise indeed. To be honest, I'm extremely lucky (and thankful) to receive the number of views I do ... the KZbin algorithm is a fickle and mysterious beast 😄 I haven't watched "Awakenings" for some time, but of course now that you mention it see many clear parallels. I remember both De Niro and Williams being marvellous in it, and will certainly watch it again soon (thanks to you). As to my choice to read these stories and poems to camera, I understand your feelings completely. While most of the feedback in this regard has been positive, I've certainly had a few viewers tell me it really wasn't their thing. And I really do get it. I love going for long walks whilst listening to an audiobook and certainly wouldn't want the distraction of having to look at the narrator. I'm much happier merely listening and allowing my imagination to do all the visual work. That having been said, a visual performance is a very different beast. It gives me the opportunity to do more with the characters. It allows me to incorporate facial expressions, mannerisms, posture, eye contact (or avoidance thereof), and many other visual elements that would otherwise be unavailable. In this video, I could even use changing hair styles and beard condition to add to the story and characterization - not to mention have a little fun every now and again with the addition of text. In the end, I made the decision to do all of my readings "to camera" because I love to perform. There were other reasons, such as the fact that there are already many very good options on KZbin for narration done without seeing the performer but very few where you do, and I've also no doubt that ego played a role in my decision. Ha, well you really weren't looking for this long-winded answer to a question you didn't even pose 😅 I'm very glad you enjoyed the narration BFP, and do so appreciate the supportive comments. Now, off to watch "Awakenings"... *postscript* for the record, with all the added headaches involved in reading to camera rather than simply doing a voice recording, I really do question my choice on a daily basis 😄

[@charvakcharvak597]

Brilliant narrations

[@MattiesStoryland]

Thank you very much, CC.

[@waningmooncancer9628]

I reached the time of 13:51when I realized, "Damn, he's good!". Yes, I have subscribed. You're awesome, simply awesome 👍😎. WOW.

[@MattiesStoryland]

Ha, thank you WMC. That's very kind of you to say.

[@waningmooncancer9628]

@@MattiesStoryland I mean every word. Thank you for sharing your talent with us.🕊️⭐🕊️⭐🕊️

[@garybryant4293]

You. Are. Fantastic.

[@MattiesStoryland]

Ha, you are very kind 😄 Thank you, Gary. I really am very glad you enjoyed it.

[@starmazaheri7448]

Hello Sir Mattie. It's such a great pleasure finding you. This was super Amazing. Seems like you are the Charlie whose intelligence never went back after getting smart😎. Really appreciate all the efforts you put to bring stories to life and all the great information you give about the book.😍👍💯🌷🙏

[@starmazaheri7448]

Btw. I'm honoured to be a new subscriber of your KZbin channel Sir Mattie.🌿🙏

[@MattiesStoryland]

Thank you very much, Star. I'm so glad you enjoyed the reading. Wonderful story, isn't it? It says so many things, and hits so many emotions.

[@MattiesStoryland]

That is greatly appreciated, Star. I hope you continue to enjoy the stories.

[@eduardoflores2632]

i was trying to read along but i did not know that this is a different version of what i am reading, still great.

[@MattiesStoryland]

Thank you for commenting, Eduardo. I'm sorry you weren't able to follow along. Were you reading a different version of the short story, or reading the novel? At any rate, I'm glad you were still able to enjoy my narration.

[@starmazaheri7448]

''Just don't get too attached to the mouse'' In fact I feel there is a whole chapter of analysis regarding Algernon alone. I'm surprised that there has been hardly any talk or discussion about it at all. It's so important that the name of the book is called ''Flowers for Algernon''. I believe one small part of this analysis could be the fact that we should respect everyone and every living thing, no matter how small or big, strong or weak, how seemingly important or unimportant they may look (they are all important and worthy of respect and happiness in their own right). A mouse is usually considered as unimportant and shunned, but Charlie, who knows how important even a dumb person's feelings are, remembered to inform Ms. Kenian ''not to forget to put flowers on Algernon's grave'' even after he had lost his intelligence and died.

[@MattiesStoryland]

Well said, Star.

[@starmazaheri7448]

@@MattiesStoryland Thank you Sir Mattie for your replies and acknowledgements. You're great and so appreciated.

[@likearelapse]

PLEASE read exquisite corpse by poppy z. brite. Your voice would be so perfect for it and I can’t find any other readings. It’s a novel about two serial killers who fall in love and begin to target a boy in the French Quarter. It’s one of my favorites and hearing you read it would be a dream come true.

[@MattiesStoryland]

Thank you, Hazy. I apologize for the lateness of my response, but I thought it best to read "Exquisite Corpse" before getting back to you. Wow. Firstly, thank you for thinking I could do this novel justice. It would be an amazing experience to narrate. Of course, I would first have to get Brite's permission. More problematic though is the length of the story. At 90 minutes, "Algernon" is by far my most ambitious project to date. I can't even estimate the time it took to put together; a hundred hours? More? The vast majority of this time was spent on editing. I have looked at a few longer projects that I'm very interested in doing, but have concluded that I need to upgrade both my camera and my microphone before I attempt them. These projects are in the 5-7 hour range; "Exquisite Corpse" would be longer still. To make a long story short (too late!), my answer to your (much appreciated) request is the same as the one the girl gave me after I proposed to her: "Not at this time". I hope this one ends better than that one.

[@KevinPilsbury]

This is absolutely incredible. Just subbed. Can you read "The Last Question" by Isaac Asimov

[@MattiesStoryland]

Thank you TSO, that is very kind of you to say (and of course thank you for subscribing). "The Last Question" is a wonderful story and it would certainly be my pleasure to read it (and I appreciate you thinking I may be able to do it justice). It will take a bit of time, though. I post quite infrequently and am already rather behind on my working projects and requests. But if you can be a little patient, I will certainly honour your request!

[@KevinPilsbury]

@@MattiesStoryland No rush at all, I can wait. Thank you for your response, Matties. Looking forward to it!

[@JancaPospisilova]

Your performance of Flowers for Algernon is absolutely perfect. I enjoy how you can change phrasing, speed of speech, emotions, and intonation depending on the current intellect of the main character. An incredible experience. I still can't get enough of it and keep listening to it over and over again. Have you considered performing Of Mice and Men?

[@MattiesStoryland]

Thank you Janca, that is very kind of you to say. I am so glad when I find that someone has enjoyed any of my work, and this is especially true for the more challenging pieces (such as this one). I haven't yet considered "Of Mice and Men", and I thank you for both requesting it and thinking I could do a good job. This would be an ambitious undertaking; "Algernon", my longest narration to date, is about 1½ hours long, whereas an unabridged reading of "Mice" would run nearly 4 hours. Please let me give this a think and see if I can find a way. Thanks again for your lovely words.

[@JancaPospisilova]

You're right, Of Mice and Men is probably too long for this format, and I can imagine the amount of work it would involve. I apologize, that didn't occur to me. I just thought of the book in connection with Flowers for Algernon because it deals with a similar central theme and is equally thought-provoking and emotionally deep. I see that you, like me, are a fan of Edgar Allan Poe and even have in your selection those pieces that resonate with me as well. I would really like it if you could add Berenice, The Premature Burial, or The Fall of the House of Usher. And your exceptional ability to create tension and emotional depth in stories would be very well suited to the short stories of Ray Bradbury. Maybe The Long Rain. What do you think? And I can't help but suggest that I would be very interested in The Little Prince in your rendition. Although it's clear that this would be a bigger undertaking again.@@MattiesStoryland

[@MattiesStoryland]

Ha, no need for apologies! I love getting requests (even ones that might be challenging to fill), and hope to do "Of Mice and Men" someday. I am indeed a big fan of Poe, and "Berenice" is already on my list (well, to be honest all of his short stories are on my list). I also love Bradbury, and just recently narrated my first of his ("The October Game"). I am eager to do more of course, and was already looking at "The Veldt". I will also now give "The Long Rain" a look. So many projects! I only wish I could produce them more frequently. Thanks again Janca for your ideas, feedback and positive comments. Oh, I almost forgot about "The Little Prince"! I did look at this when I started the channel (such a wonderful story!). It is a little long, but not crazily so. I will ponder this one again 😄

[@kerryparffrey9993]

Too many commercials mate. I lasted for about 15 min. too many ads!

[@MattiesStoryland]

My apologies, Kerry. I don’t really have much control over how many commercials KZbin puts in (at least I don’t believe I do). I’ll see if I can find a way to reduce the frequency. Did they just keep popping up?

[@kerryparffrey9993]

@@MattiesStoryland you don't have "much" control, or do you not have any control? If I was an influencer/creator on You Tube, and if You Tube decided to dump a disproportional amount of ads on my content, I'd have a chat with them to find out why. You can be sure that many viewers won't sit through a presentation with numerous ads. And that would hurt revenues. You might want to chat with them. I did enjoy your performance until the quantity of ads became unbearable. I hope this helps.

[@MattiesStoryland]

My control mostly amounts to turning them on (or off). Thanks for letting me know about this, Kerry (by the way, I’m not an influencer 😄 I’m just a guy with a tiny hobby channel, and there is no revenue to speak of - but I appreciate the thought. I also appreciate your taking the time to comment).

[@tonybrewer7536]

​@MattiesStoryland I had a handful of ads and I don't care. If a few ad breaks is the cost of this performance than it was time well spent. Thank you

[@MattiesStoryland]

Thank you Tony, I'm glad you enjoyed it. To be fair, Kerry's comment was honest, and very much helpful (as it made me aware of a problem I didn't know existed). I don't really earn any money from this channel, and I'd hate to think anyone became disenchanted with a video of mine because it had too many ads.