The cult classic novel that was turned into the famous film starring Jack Nicholson, this should be on everyone's 'must read' list.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (Penguin Modern Classics)
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"A glittering parable of good and evil." ("The New York Times Book Review")
Book Description
Chief Bromden, half American-Indian, whom the authorities believe is deaf and dumb, tells the story of a mental instituion ruled by Big Nurse on behalf of the all-powerful Combine. Into this terrifying grey world comes McMurphy, a brawling gambling man, who wages total war on behalf of his cowed fellow-inmates. What follows is at once hiilarious and heroic, tragic and ultimately liberating. Since its first publication in 1962, Ken Kesey's astonishing first novel has achieved the status of a contemporary classic. 'Kesey can be funny, he can be lyrical, he can do dialogue, and he can write a muscular narrative. In fact there's not much better come out of America in the sixties... If you haven't already read this book, do so. If youhave, read it again' Douglas Eadie, Scotsman
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
34 of 35 people found the following review helpful
By BL Chapman-allan
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback
'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' by Ken Keesy is one of the most prominent examples of American fiction in the 20th century. The novel is based, almost entirely on the interactions he had with mental patients while he was working at a mental institution. While Ken Keesy experimented exstensively with LSD, he became very interested in studying perception. This led to the production of 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest'.
'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' is the intense story of a group of mentally ill patients and their over bearing nurse. This Nurse has complete control over the hospital ward, and the patients are entirely beaten down and do not question her authority. McMurphy arrives - and everything changes. A rogue, gambling, criminal who subverts all authority. He challenges the Nurse's power, first as a game, then as a desperate attempt to prove to the patients that life is worth living. He lives with men, who feel that their lives are over, as they helplessly conform to the Nurse's whim. McMurphy, brings laughter, adventure, women and booze to the small hospital world; most importantly, he provides these men with a hero. They idolise him as a saviour and through their devotion force him to become one, as he gives his life in their defence. Keesy's novel is powerful, and uplifting, yet with a fatalistic note. We know it can not end happily as the Nurse is a symbol for the whole system of government and McMurphy is only one man. However, the whole novel resonates with power, despite the nihalistic undertones.
'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' is the intense story of a group of mentally ill patients and their over bearing nurse. This Nurse has complete control over the hospital ward, and the patients are entirely beaten down and do not question her authority. McMurphy arrives - and everything changes. A rogue, gambling, criminal who subverts all authority. He challenges the Nurse's power, first as a game, then as a desperate attempt to prove to the patients that life is worth living. He lives with men, who feel that their lives are over, as they helplessly conform to the Nurse's whim. McMurphy, brings laughter, adventure, women and booze to the small hospital world; most importantly, he provides these men with a hero. They idolise him as a saviour and through their devotion force him to become one, as he gives his life in their defence. Keesy's novel is powerful, and uplifting, yet with a fatalistic note. We know it can not end happily as the Nurse is a symbol for the whole system of government and McMurphy is only one man. However, the whole novel resonates with power, despite the nihalistic undertones.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is a amazing novel. The central character, McMurphy, has been sent from prison to a mental institution - as he initially sees it, a big step up. No more working in the fields; he now has a cushy life sitting on a hospital ward. Until he realises that the straightforward rules of 'serve your time and be released' no longer apply: he is now imprisoned even further and is at the mercy of hospital government in the form of the Big Nurse.
Although Kesey's novel is intended as a metaphor for the government's control of people's lives, the reason it works so well for me is because the characterisation is equally interesting in its own right. McMurphy's tense, carefully fought and long drawn out battle with the Big Nurse shows us a lot about his character and shows his growing sense of responsibility towards the other men. The freedom he tries so hard to give them is heavily undermined when he learns that they have entered the hospital voluntarily: his own sense of self worth has become closely tied to his efforts to increase theirs. To learn that the other "prisoners" are in fact there seemingly of their own free will is shocking to McMurphy, who cannot understand them.
McMurphy is the outcast, the rebel, the top dog of his own world, who initially starts by actively embracing the hospital, and ends by loathing it yet not quite managing to leave (despite opportunities). He cannot comprehend why the other men are there voluntarily, yet his desire to help them prevents him from leaving and makes him one of them.
Although Kesey's novel is intended as a metaphor for the government's control of people's lives, the reason it works so well for me is because the characterisation is equally interesting in its own right. McMurphy's tense, carefully fought and long drawn out battle with the Big Nurse shows us a lot about his character and shows his growing sense of responsibility towards the other men. The freedom he tries so hard to give them is heavily undermined when he learns that they have entered the hospital voluntarily: his own sense of self worth has become closely tied to his efforts to increase theirs. To learn that the other "prisoners" are in fact there seemingly of their own free will is shocking to McMurphy, who cannot understand them.
McMurphy is the outcast, the rebel, the top dog of his own world, who initially starts by actively embracing the hospital, and ends by loathing it yet not quite managing to leave (despite opportunities). He cannot comprehend why the other men are there voluntarily, yet his desire to help them prevents him from leaving and makes him one of them.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
This has planted itself firmly in my favourite books of all time. The narrative comes from the perspective of a patient on the ward of a mental asylum and offers the perspective of someone whose experience is often tinged by fear and delusion. This adds to what is a wonderful parable about life and conformity in society. The book is incredibly sad, but yet offers something of an optimistic message at the end. I can't recommend this book hearily enough. Inevitably many people might say 'I've seen the film'. The film was great in its own right but just reflected what is an astonishing book.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant
Absolutely absorbing from start to finish. A great insight into institutionalised life during the early days of mental health care.
Published 10 days ago by Stuart
4.0 out of 5 stars
Enjoyed it
It takes a little while to build up, but it is certainly a very good book.
There are enough other reviews covering other areas of the book so I won't go into that, but I... Read more
There are enough other reviews covering other areas of the book so I won't go into that, but I... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Matthew Mcgowan
5.0 out of 5 stars
i loved it
i brought this novel because it was on my booklist for literature, but i read the entire book within a matter of days, i love the plot and the characyers, especially the way kesey... Read more
Published 1 month ago by jacqueline
2.0 out of 5 stars
Not as good as the hype
An interesting read but I was disappointed that it did not live up to expectations as it was hailed a master piece. .. More of a nice read really.
Published 1 month ago by maisylill
4.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting read
I bought this because I got an acting role as Chief Bromden, who tells the story from first-person and was a brilliant source of character research. Read more
Published 1 month ago by smithy213
5.0 out of 5 stars
great
what can I say? a stonking book, told from The Chief's point of view and makes the film even more remarkable - stunning
Published 2 months ago by A. J. Austen
4.0 out of 5 stars
As described
Bought for my daughter for her english exam did the job was well packed arrived when stated exactly as described on the website
Published 2 months ago by robroy55
5.0 out of 5 stars
Must-read
Absolutely loved this book! A charming and funny tale of a larger than life character who comes an turns a mental ward on its head. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Anactoria13
5.0 out of 5 stars
Searingly brilliant
This is a magnificent insight into the human mind, humanity and order. It gives a brutal picture of life in an psychiatric hospital, brilliantly narrated by 'the Chief', who is... Read more
Published 3 months ago by M. V. Clarke
5.0 out of 5 stars
Cuckoo's nest
Loved it - has been about 25 years since have seen the film so will need to watch again i think!
Published 3 months ago by Geoff Morgan
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