Classics for Beginners discussion

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is our group read this month. Feel free to dive into the discussion.

Woohoo! (Now I have to find a copy!)

Who is reading along this month? I'm just about to start my re-read.

I will also be joining!

I've read this one twice (liked it!) and have seen the movie a few times as well, so will not be reading it this month.

I really enjoyed this read; I am a big fan of this era and the grittiness that accompanies this novel. Th characters were incredibly engaging and the dialogue between them was genius. I also really appreciated the point of view of the narrator; Chief came out bit by bit as the structure of the ward fell apart. I loved that juxtaposition.
Excellent read!

I didn't know this was considered a classic. Read it last year. I may keep an eye on the conversation :)

Karen wrote: "I now have the book: the 50th anniversary edition. Our town library has several copies.

Already learned this tidbit: While a student at Stanford U, Kesey "worked for several months as a nurse's a..."

Wow, so he probably got a lot of insight through working there.

I'm liking the author's pick of a narrator. I am only about 21% into the book (ebook)

I saw it a long, long time ago and I really don't remember much of it at all. I am waiting 'til I finish the book to watch the movie again.

Is the movie worth a watch? I also wanted to wait until the book was over to avoid spoilers (good choice by the way if you're thinking the same thing).

When we read The Bell Jar as a group last year, someone made the comment that that book and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest were published within a year or so of each other. It's interesting to look at how both portray mental illness, and the way mental illness was treated in that era.

I loved the narration of the Monopoly game. Too funny!

Yep and the "power station" on the Electric Company

Has anyone here seen the movie "High Anxiety"? I can't help but see Nurse Diesel in my mind for Nurse Ratched. But I don't think Nurse Diesel ever smiled.

Perhaps the ice baths was a procedure that just didn't use at that hospital? I know that barbaric treatment continued for a while, but I'm sure they all had their different preferences.

What did people think of Nurse Ratched? Villain? Or misunderstood?

Villain. She enjoyed her little world of power and holding dominion over others with mind games. It wasn't just about holding order, it was she found a place where she could carry out her control issues IMO.

RitaSkeeter wrote: "What did people think of Nurse Ratched? Villain? Or misunderstood?"

Definitely VILLAIN. I think she belonged in the ward, also. She had some control issues.

What about Billy's mom? I have her as a villain as well. That's probably why she and Ratched were BFF's. Really, trying to keep yourself "young" by not letting you son grow up? Both of them were extreme manipulators in my mind.

Ordered my copy....

Hello everyone! I know I am a bit behind on the reading but I wanted to share my thoughts. I just finished the book and I see McMurphy as a savior of the men on the ward.

(view spoiler)[He comes in a speaks for the meek, helps them out of their shells, gives them courage to stand up to the nurse, opens their eyes to all the things they were missing, and the strength to remove themselves from the hospital. He was subjected to torture and persecution. He made the deaf hear and the dumb speak (Chief). (hide spoiler)]

Granted he was definitely a flawed person with many issues and unholy characteristics. But for the men on the ward, he came to their rescue.

(view spoiler)[ It seemed that he had to die in order for all the men to leave the ward. He was the sacrificial lamb so to speak. (hide spoiler)]

What do you think?

I agree with your assessment, Courtney. Was a good guy who tried to bring the life into emotionally trapped/dead men. He succeeed and is an unconventional hero.

Courtney wrote: "Hello everyone! I know I am a bit behind on the reading but I wanted to share my thoughts. I just finished the book and I see McMurphy as a savior of the men on the ward.

[spoilers removed]

Gran..."

A really interesting idea. I'm not sure if I agree with it or not. On one hand, I see where you are coming from and agree he did 'save' the men on the ward. On the other, I struggle with the idea of him as being that because his motives were selfish, and so the outcomes for the other men were a side effect of his actions rather than the motivation for them. Not sure if I'm making sense.

I totally understand. I just think that is true for most of the book. But during the fishing trip he has a change in demeanor. I feel like that causes a big shift in his motivations. (view spoiler)[ Although he could have escaped he still wanted to have the party and he didn't have to attack "the black boy" during the shower scene. Those actions were for others. (hide spoiler)]

As a side note. I believe Mr. Kesey could have had McMurphy as the narrator. I believe he chose Chief as the narrator because the gospel is written/told by the disciple not the savior.

This was an entertaining and easy-to-read novel for me. I liked the characters, the way Kesey wrote, and the plot. I have yet to see the movie version, but hope that it is just as good as the book.

I just finished the book. Nurse Ratched is a villain and her name represents what she is - a combination of rat and hatchet. Thanks, Courtney, for your analysis. I would have preferred a "savior" who had more savory extracurricular activities!