It was once considered fiction. Now it is perceived as one of the most humane works of modern times, as a novel of piercing psychological power, as a filigree development of the theme of love and responsibility. The changes with Charlie Gordon are happening before our eyes, here and now. The first reports are full of spelling mistakes, it is very difficult for him to express his thoughts, gradually he begins to write correctly and tell about events perfectly. Geniuses and idiots are two sides of the same coin. They have different IQs, different living conditions, but they are similar in one thing — often both are infinitely lonely. And the price for the dream of becoming smart is getting too high. Charlie has a double, Algernon the mouse, only Charlie understands the behavior of the mouse and the fact that he himself is assigned the same role as an experimental mouse, no more. The novel was repeatedly filmed in different countries, in 1968 the film "Charlie" was shot in the USA, and actor Cliff Robertson was awarded an Oscar, in 2006 a film was shot in France, in 2007 a play based on the story of the same name was staged at the Alexandrinsky Theater, in 2015 a film was released in Japan, and in the same year, a play was staged in "Such a theater" "The Charlie Gordon Effect", directed by Igor Sergeev, Varya Svetlova. Leaves no one indifferent.