Customer Reviews

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest: (Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition)

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Ken Kesey's novel "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" is a whirlwind of eccentricity and brilliance. In a plot that is completely character-driven, Kesey skillfully manipulates stock characters to reflect on larger ideas regarding the individual and his place in society (both on the ward, and at large). The evolution of character and self - highlighted by the "reality" of life on their ward - is fascinating; Kesey attempts to prove that insanity is a product of contemporary culture, and that reality is not as fixed as those in power would have the masses believe. I am currently teaching this novel in an introductory-level English class, and it has proved to be through-provoking and inspiring - even to students who otherwise have no interest in reading novels. This is a novel everyone should read at least once.

On can understand how Ken Kesey would say, "I will not go to see what they did to my book." "They" was a crew led by Milos Forman and the film, "One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest", won all of the major Oscars that year: Best Picture, best director, best actress, best actor. Only one other time has a film done that-1992, "Silence of the Lambs" And it is interesting that both of these films differ who tells us the story from his own perspective-on of a very small and unimportant manner from the book in the same way.

"One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest" is a book that sustains itself by allowing the reader to be inside the head of one of the characters and it is he, a very large Indian who everyone believes to be mute and deaf, that we learn about life in a mental health institution in the 1950's. The book is a masterpiece, an American Classic. So is the movie. both are remarkable works of art but if you have seen the film you have not read the book. And if you've only read the book, you've not seen the film. The two stories teach different things-or rather approaches different parts of our soul to teach the sam thing. I am not sure which.

I am currently teaching out of this book with my 10th graders. The students are using this book as their focus on a unit called Perceptions. So far the students love the book (I can tell because of the chuckles I hear while we read as a class). Everyone should read this novel sometime in their life.

It's a page turner. I'm not a continuos reader but this book I could not put it down. Check it out.

I know this is going to sound weird, but this is one of the most positive, beautiful books I've ever read. I know, it seems to be one tragedy after another, especially ultimately for our hero...well, my hero...one RP McMurphy. But what would you have done? Left those men there like that? What's that one quote from that other book, "no greater love than this, that a man should lay down his life for his brother" (or something like that). When I have it to give and I see someone is in need, this book comes to mind. It's made me walk around with some kind of glow ever since I read it about 15 years ago. I hope it will help you be more of a "just listen to what people have to say, and don't pass judgement" kind of person too(if you're not that already).

While all this is going on, Ken Kesey doesn't let up! You get the feeling he's as excited about writing the book as it is to read. No detectable style, just real great storytelling. With the emphasis on real. This is my favorite book of all time. Oh, I liked the movie and am a huge fan of Jack Nicholson, but even he's not the material's equal. Get a copy.