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Literary Companion Series
Literary Companion Series: One Flew Over the Cukoo's Nest
Ken Kesey's stream of consciousness description of patients in a mental institution questions the line between sanity and madness. Essays include discussion of the psychological implications in the novel as well as themes and character analysis.
- GenresClassics
204 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 1999
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
July 20, 2023
nekad nebeigšu pārlasīt šo grāmatu
June 16, 2008
One of those books that usered me into consciousness and adulthood.
July 2, 2024
Sadly this description of base impulses on many levels, though in a psychiatric ward in this novel, is a representation of the world in general in many cases. We all have our vices, and it is a good thing we are not categorized by the worst aspects of our natures!
Although well written for its content, I did not enjoy it, therefore the 2 stars. I do think I prefer to celebrate the goodness in people and ways to bring out said goodness, instead of perpetuating the world’s woes.
Although well written for its content, I did not enjoy it, therefore the 2 stars. I do think I prefer to celebrate the goodness in people and ways to bring out said goodness, instead of perpetuating the world’s woes.
June 9, 2015
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest was an amazing read. It symbolized so much in a comical yet serious tone. And it was written in such a manor that the story enraptured you and kept you guessing as to what would happen next. The narrator, chief, was a well thought out choice for the main role. His self containment made for a crazy story with even crazier outcomes.
Since the story is narrated by a World War Two veteran with schizophrenia, the story is filled with flashbacks, hallucinations, and mental breakdowns. He is one of the "chronics", patients who suffer from serious mental illness and trauma and will most likely live out the rest of their days in the institution. He pretends to be deaf and mute, so the orderlies and other patients won't bother him too much. He's spent years in silence, but that all changes when McMurphy is admitted to the ward.
The conflict in the story is caused by the ongoing power struggle between McMurphy and Nurse Ratched, the administrative nurse. Ratched has an extremely strict way of running things at the hospital and if a patient so much as questions her orders there are severe consequences, such as electroshock therapy. She runs the ward almost like a prison camp, and that doesent sit well with McMurphy, who is a social rebel and doesent conform to conformity. Ever since their first group meeting, McMurphy made it his mission to get inside of Ratched's head and turn things to his advantage. He unites the patients to pull off insane stunts just to try and anger Ratched, but eventually they backfire and he experiences the full extent of her wrath, after a suspenseful confrontation.
The writing style of the book is one of my favorites. Because the narrator is insane, there are parts of the story that are told in a serious manner but are almost too crazy to be true, which leads the reader to come to the conclusion that the character is hallucinating. But then there are parts when he talks about the "fog" and it is clear that he is hallucinating. It is a very interesting perspective to write from, especially coming from that time period.
I enjoyed this book for many reasons. It displayed a few different themes, like don't conform to what others say is good for you. The author also wrote the book in a way that kept the reader interested and with always some idea to ponder when thinking back on a certain scene or chapter. I would recommend this book to everyone provided they are above age 13 because there are some parts that are meant for mature readers. But all in all it was a great book and scores a place in my favorite books.
Since the story is narrated by a World War Two veteran with schizophrenia, the story is filled with flashbacks, hallucinations, and mental breakdowns. He is one of the "chronics", patients who suffer from serious mental illness and trauma and will most likely live out the rest of their days in the institution. He pretends to be deaf and mute, so the orderlies and other patients won't bother him too much. He's spent years in silence, but that all changes when McMurphy is admitted to the ward.
The conflict in the story is caused by the ongoing power struggle between McMurphy and Nurse Ratched, the administrative nurse. Ratched has an extremely strict way of running things at the hospital and if a patient so much as questions her orders there are severe consequences, such as electroshock therapy. She runs the ward almost like a prison camp, and that doesent sit well with McMurphy, who is a social rebel and doesent conform to conformity. Ever since their first group meeting, McMurphy made it his mission to get inside of Ratched's head and turn things to his advantage. He unites the patients to pull off insane stunts just to try and anger Ratched, but eventually they backfire and he experiences the full extent of her wrath, after a suspenseful confrontation.
The writing style of the book is one of my favorites. Because the narrator is insane, there are parts of the story that are told in a serious manner but are almost too crazy to be true, which leads the reader to come to the conclusion that the character is hallucinating. But then there are parts when he talks about the "fog" and it is clear that he is hallucinating. It is a very interesting perspective to write from, especially coming from that time period.
I enjoyed this book for many reasons. It displayed a few different themes, like don't conform to what others say is good for you. The author also wrote the book in a way that kept the reader interested and with always some idea to ponder when thinking back on a certain scene or chapter. I would recommend this book to everyone provided they are above age 13 because there are some parts that are meant for mature readers. But all in all it was a great book and scores a place in my favorite books.
October 22, 2015
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey told the story of Randle McMurphy getting admitted to a mental institution, through the narration of Chief Broome, a man who is schizophrenic and pretending to be deaf and mute. This book quickly engages the reader introducing McMurphy in the first couple of pages as the reader takes notice of his rebellious actions in his first appearance. Throughout the book, we follow McMurphy's actions and Chief Broome's attitude towards him. It is quickly taken note of the fact that Nurse Ratched, the head nurse, is highly disliked by the patients. This book is on a topic rarely focused on and reading about it was a new experience which I was not disappointed in. The characters and their personalities along with the Big Nurse made this story absorbing. This book was detailed especially with Chief Broome's hallucinations and the many actions taken by McMurphy in which we see how his views change on being in the institution from wanting to leave to cooperating as well as the relationships he builds with the patients. The patients looked up to him as the reader constantly questions whether he would fulfill the patient hopes in defeating the nurse. However, I found this book quite predictable. McMurphy's failure in trying to break the Big Nurse resulting in him getting himself in trouble and breaking himself was something I quickly picked up as to what would happen. Along with the Chief Broome speaking to McMurphy as his attitude towards him from the start showed he liked him and Billy Bobbit's death as he is left alone in a room after the Big Nurse claims she will tell his mother of his actions. However, the overall story was one in which I enjoyed and won't forget
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 15, 2008
I remember having to read this book in Junior High School and how intrigued I was by it. You know children are very seldom so into a book that is required reading. I was not only into it, I read it a few times. Then I saw the movie and had to go back and read it again, just to see how close the movie came to this excellant book. This is what the good stuff is made of.
January 6, 2013
I don't know I never read this in high school or college, but it made the reading now all the sweeter. Chief Bromden's narration of McMurphy's story (and his own) alternates between hallucinatory visions and a more lucid storytelling as the Chief makes his journey towards sanity. Ken Kesey's writing never falters. It's a beautiful, and heartbreaking, novel.
November 3, 2014
I'm in love with this novel. The point of view coming from Chief was brilliant and heart warming as you follow his journeys in the psychiatric ward with his new friend, McMurphy. No novel has truly made me feel such a way at the ending as this one did. Everyone should read this book at least once in their life
February 18, 2008
This was an interesting book. At first it was really hard to follow since the main character kept jumping from his dreams or alternate reality to the actual present time, but once I got over the bumps it was o.k. not a book I might ever read again.
December 29, 2008
What a wonderful surprise this book has been. Funny and touching. Much more than I expected.
We're all walking wounded but the determining factor of our health just depends on which side of the combine we are on...
We're all walking wounded but the determining factor of our health just depends on which side of the combine we are on...
February 19, 2008
Confusion
May 26, 2008
Interesting perspective- a mute Native American in a mental ward. Great story line. Tough ending- but great lessons about humanity.
October 31, 2008
I hate it when the bad guy wins.
Amazing story, but when the bad guy wins, you lose a star.
Amazing characters. Amazing story. Amazing style.
Amazing story, but when the bad guy wins, you lose a star.
Amazing characters. Amazing story. Amazing style.
December 13, 2008
Wonderful book and movie!
February 7, 2013
It took me longer to read the book this time, because I knew the ending and wanted to avoid it, but once I got close to the end, I had to finish it fast.
June 6, 2013
Why does Goodreads not show Kesey's original book as an option???
March 5, 2014
A delightful and sad story about human dignity.
Read
March 10, 2014how do you get it to let you read it
July 25, 2007
I thought the movie was great until I read the book - Jack's performance pales in comparison.
January 28, 2009
Loved, loved, loved it!
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews