One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is a novel that takes place in a mental institution during the 1960s, narrated through the eyes of Chief Bromden, a schizophrenic patient. The story revolves around the protagonist, McMurphy, a rebellious Irish patient who challenges the authoritarian rule of Nurse Ratched, a stiff and merciless figure. As McMurphy builds camaraderie among the patients and resists the oppressive regime, the narrator gradually gains clarity and sanity, showcasing a power struggle that is well-executed and constantly shifting.
The book delves into themes of rebellion, oppression, and the battle against authority, all seen through the lens of patients in a mental hospital. Through the narrative, the novel captures the spirit of the counter-culture revolution while maintaining a serious and meaningful tone as the stakes are raised, offering an entertaining war of ideologies between the characters.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Triggers/content warnings for the book include themes of mental illness, institutional abuse, suicide, and graphic descriptions of electroconvulsive therapy.
From The Publisher:
Ken Kesey's bracing, inslightful novel about the meaning of madness and the value of self-reliance, and the inspiration for the new Netflix original series Ratched
Ratings (184)
Incredible (31) | |
Loved It (87) | |
Liked It (39) | |
It Was OK (17) | |
Did Not Like (8) | |
Hated It (2) |
Reader Stats (365):
Read It (190) | |
Currently Reading (2) | |
Want To Read (118) | |
Did Not Finish (3) | |
Not Interested (52) |
5 comment(s)
I think most people know about the story since the movie is such a modern classic I feel. But you follow a few men who is in a mental hospital, Randell Patrick Murphy the over the top inmate who fake his mental illness to try to prevent him going to prison and Chief Bromden the silent guy who sweeps the floor and keep a very low profile.
And ofc the iconic evil nurse who keep everyone both patients and staff in check.
I've seen the movie a very long time ago and always wanted to read the book, especially when I realized you don't follow Randell Patrick Murphy as in the film but, Chief Bromden. I enjoyed this very much, but I can agree this isn't a perfect novel and you could pick out some issues with it. But I think it's very interesting and a good look at mental hospitals at that time.
Gut wrenching.
I listened to the audiobook and John c Reilly was an amazing narrator for this book.
It takes a lot for me to be unsettled. This book left me feeling ill. I finished it but I was seriously debating giving up. It was unbelievably sad and horrific in its content and even now I still feel utterly devastated. It could be that that's not a good reason to judge a book "worst book ever" but as far as I'm concerned reading should be enjoyable whether that's pure "light reading" or because the book educates and challenges you. This book just made me sick.
Ken Kesey was a genius (imho) This book is way up there in my top favorites. This book was such a brave book to write in the sixties and is as relevant today as it was then. Maybe more so. So well written and will forever stand the test of time. OFOTCN should be required reading in every school. It is a brilliant book that has so much to teach all of us.
What can you read after
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest?
About the Author:
Ken Kesey was born in 1935 and grew up in Oregon. He graduated from the University of Oregon and later studied at Stanford with Wallace Stegner, Malcolm Cowley, Richard Scowcroft, and Frank O'Connor. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, his first novel,…
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