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amradio's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
So first off there's racism all up in the book let's just get that out of the way (well there's actually a hell of a lot of things that could count for a warning that I tried to tag)
The book overall while feeling slow in parts is a very good read and I think might be considered an important read on "mental hospitals" coming from someone who is antipsych partly because of how these institutions are still horribly ran
I think some of the important little notes when you find out most of these guys are self admitted because of course society tells you there's something wrong with you if you don't fit their mold of a "normal healthy mind" and since so many people nowadays still play straight into psychiatrys hand by telling everyone "therapy is for everyone"
Also the fact thattwo of them are seemingly in there because of seizures like these institutes are well known for forcing disabled people into them for simply being disabled
And while Mack's character is loveable in some waysstill disturbing that he's seemingly a pedophile but I can appreciate how far he went for these guys like he could've left multiple times near the end but didn't not to mention you can tell that the two characters who did die during the story both had an impact on him
I also love the aspect of the Chief and his backstory especiallythe bits when he's getting electroshock therapy
The book overall while feeling slow in parts is a very good read and I think might be considered an important read on "mental hospitals" coming from someone who is antipsych partly because of how these institutions are still horribly ran
I think some of the important little notes
Also the fact that
And while Mack's character is loveable in some ways
I also love the aspect of the Chief and his backstory especially
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Racism, Suicide, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Colonisation, Racial slurs, Chronic illness, Ableism, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Antisemitism, Drug use, Forced institutionalization, Misogyny, and Sexism
Minor: Murder, Pedophilia, Violence, and Excrement
iarlais's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This is a book laden which so much bigotry, if I didn't know better I would never have guessed Kesey to be a counter-cultural hippie guy. The book's treatment of women is abhorrent, either making them out to be remorseless emasculating machines or figures for the male gaze. The consistent naming of the black characters as "black boys" when they literally have names is also bizarre, to say the least. You could say that the author expects us to see through the narrator's prejudices, but when there's nothing pushing against his worldview that's hard to argue.
Despite all that, however, this is a strong novel. Its language is very engaging, and the characters are quite sympathetic. It has a realistic yet despicable villain in the form of Nurse Ratched, and a well-written hell-raising protagonist with R.P. McMurphy. The power struggle between the two is truly engaging and gives the novel its life. McMurphy, for his many deep flaws, does the abused victims of the institution justice by teaching them to stand up and demand their rights, along with some basic amenities. Bromden is an neat narrator. He's not overly likable, but he is sympathetic. His backstory is saddening, and getting to see him reclaim his own humanity slowly but surely throughout the text is satisfying, and culminates in the ending that he deserves.
Kesey doubtless succeeded here in creating a chilling and claustrophobic atmosphere in which hope can scarcely shine, which makes it all the more thrilling with McMurphy brings that rare hope with him upon his admission. The strength of the novel's narration, characters, and themes doesn't excuse its hateful aspects, but I think the hateful aspects don't sully its strengths either. This is a stellar story, to be sure.
Also, I really liked Kesey's character sketches, they added quite a bit to the characters in my head.
Despite all that, however, this is a strong novel. Its language is very engaging, and the characters are quite sympathetic. It has a realistic yet despicable villain in the form of Nurse Ratched, and a well-written hell-raising protagonist with R.P. McMurphy. The power struggle between the two is truly engaging and gives the novel its life. McMurphy, for his many deep flaws, does the abused victims of the institution justice by teaching them to stand up and demand their rights, along with some basic amenities. Bromden is an neat narrator. He's not overly likable, but he is sympathetic. His backstory is saddening, and getting to see him reclaim his own humanity slowly but surely throughout the text is satisfying, and culminates in the ending that he deserves.
Kesey doubtless succeeded here in creating a chilling and claustrophobic atmosphere in which hope can scarcely shine, which makes it all the more thrilling with McMurphy brings that rare hope with him upon his admission. The strength of the novel's narration, characters, and themes doesn't excuse its hateful aspects, but I think the hateful aspects don't sully its strengths either. This is a stellar story, to be sure.
Also, I really liked Kesey's character sketches, they added quite a bit to the characters in my head.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Misogyny, and Sexual assault
Misogyny: The women in this novel are mostly deprived of their humanity, with the exception of one minor nurse who appears very briefly. They're either relegated to the men's sexual desires, or to the sociopathic emotionless role. I'm not saying you can't write evil women, but they shouldn't be the only women. Sexual assault: This happens more often towards the end of the novel, and culminates in a major event that's quite disturbing. Racial slurs: The black characters are referred to by the narrator and McMurphy by various racial slurs, with McMurphy having a violent outburst at them at one point.foxo_cube's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is, I think, my favourite book of all time.
I will say that it isn't perfect. It's, shall we say, a product of its time: most common-or-garden varieties of discrimination are thrown in casually here and there, and it does make me cringe a little bit at points. Personally, I try not to hold older books to the same standard I'd hold new publications in that regard, but it's worth mentioning as it is a little off-putting.
The main storyline is that of a criminal, McMurphy, entering a psychiatric ward expecting an easier life than what he was experiencing on a work farm, and discovering that he has made a terrible mistake. Being a rebel by nature, he quickly makes it his job to break down the strict and cruel Head Nurse.
The clashes between the staff and McMurphy are great - sometimes funny, sometimes shocking, sometimes devastating, often some mix of all those things - but what I love so much about the book is how the patients of the ward have real humanity to them, and the slow but sure change in atmosphere throughout the war between McMurphy and Nurse Ratched is written beautifully. McMurphy is a rough, problematic, but undeniably charming character with a gentleness to him we only see through Bromden's eyes, especially when they form a friendship.
This aspect, the platonic love story, is one of my favourite things about the book overall. The way Bromden discusses him, and their conversations, even when they're focused on boosting Bromden's confidence (usually in pretty bawdy fashion), is written with a lovely tenderness. McMurphy is a grey-area character who most definitely manipulates the hell out of a lot of the patience for money and cigarettes, but his growing care towards the people on the ward and rage at the mistreatment they face is, nonetheless, very real.
Bromden is a proudly unreliable narrator who phases in and out of the "fog", as he describes it - seemingly dissociative periods where he exists on autopilot, or flashbacks to his past, or hallucinates. He has spent his time on the ward pretending that he can neither hear nor speak, meaning he gets to be a fly on the wall during private meetings and such due to the staff often using him as a cleaner. He hates the system he's in, the state of the world, and the treatment he faces on the ward, but feels powerless to stop it, meaning that McMurphy is both a godsend and a terrifying presence to him. His character growth is fairly subtle at first, but the end scenes - which are devastating - are a powerful culmination of the book's events: when McMurphy is lobotomised, Bromden performs the most sincere expression of love and respect that he possibly could have.
I've read this book a good few times now, and it's always a total rollercoaster ride of emotions.
I will say that it isn't perfect. It's, shall we say, a product of its time: most common-or-garden varieties of discrimination are thrown in casually here and there, and it does make me cringe a little bit at points. Personally, I try not to hold older books to the same standard I'd hold new publications in that regard, but it's worth mentioning as it is a little off-putting.
The main storyline is that of a criminal, McMurphy, entering a psychiatric ward expecting an easier life than what he was experiencing on a work farm, and discovering that he has made a terrible mistake. Being a rebel by nature, he quickly makes it his job to break down the strict and cruel Head Nurse.
The clashes between the staff and McMurphy are great - sometimes funny, sometimes shocking, sometimes devastating, often some mix of all those things - but what I love so much about the book is how the patients of the ward have real humanity to them, and the slow but sure change in atmosphere throughout the war between McMurphy and Nurse Ratched is written beautifully. McMurphy is a rough, problematic, but undeniably charming character with a gentleness to him we only see through Bromden's eyes, especially when they form a friendship.
This aspect, the platonic love story, is one of my favourite things about the book overall. The way Bromden discusses him, and their conversations, even when they're focused on boosting Bromden's confidence (usually in pretty bawdy fashion), is written with a lovely tenderness. McMurphy is a grey-area character who most definitely manipulates the hell out of a lot of the patience for money and cigarettes, but his growing care towards the people on the ward and rage at the mistreatment they face is, nonetheless, very real.
Bromden is a proudly unreliable narrator who phases in and out of the "fog", as he describes it - seemingly dissociative periods where he exists on autopilot, or flashbacks to his past, or hallucinates. He has spent his time on the ward pretending that he can neither hear nor speak, meaning he gets to be a fly on the wall during private meetings and such due to the staff often using him as a cleaner. He hates the system he's in, the state of the world, and the treatment he faces on the ward, but feels powerless to stop it, meaning that McMurphy is both a godsend and a terrifying presence to him. His character growth is fairly subtle at first, but the end scenes - which are devastating - are a powerful culmination of the book's events: when McMurphy is lobotomised, Bromden performs the most sincere expression of love and respect that he possibly could have.
I've read this book a good few times now, and it's always a total rollercoaster ride of emotions.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Blood, Suicide, Ableism, Misogyny, Bullying, Violence, Drug use, Forced institutionalization, Emotional abuse, Death, Racial slurs, Confinement, Sexism, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Cursing, Racism, and Gaslighting
Moderate: War, Sexual assault, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, Homophobia, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual violence, Grief, Sexual harassment, Physical abuse, and Injury/Injury detail
milohno's review against another edition
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Body shaming, Confinement, Misogyny, Gaslighting, Body horror, Medical content, Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, and Murder
Minor: Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Homophobia, Racism, Cursing, Adult/minor relationship, and Ableism
nicoleharris's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Mental illness, and Racism
Minor: Suicide
astrangerhere's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Racial slurs, and Racism
c3liaiswhoiam's review against another edition
medium-paced
3.0
I ended up really enjoying this reading experience, which was a relief upon the disaster that was Catch-22.
Kesey is great at making the characters feel both vividly realistic and caricature-like at the same time. They're incredibly enjoyable characters and they play off each other really well. Having the story told from someone who essentially is a fly on the wall, but literally is within the story is clever. The story feels less subjective and very observative in that way even though it actually isn't. Following McMurphy's storyline and how he affects the others is also a joy all the way through, and the only time that lags is when McMurphy himself has a temporary change of heart halfway through.
It was an interesting, thoughtful, and enjoyable read that had to something to say about authority figures and how easily we trust (and betray) others.
Kesey is great at making the characters feel both vividly realistic and caricature-like at the same time. They're incredibly enjoyable characters and they play off each other really well. Having the story told from someone who essentially is a fly on the wall, but literally is within the story is clever. The story feels less subjective and very observative in that way even though it actually isn't. Following McMurphy's storyline and how he affects the others is also a joy all the way through, and the only time that lags is when McMurphy himself has a temporary change of heart halfway through.
It was an interesting, thoughtful, and enjoyable read that had to something to say about authority figures and how easily we trust (and betray) others.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Suicide, Death, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Torture, Alcoholism, and Forced institutionalization
kelly_e's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Title: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
Author: Ken Kesey
Genre: Classic
Rating: 4.25
Pub Date: February 1, 1963
T H R E E • W O R D S
Disturbing • Shocking • Powerful
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Nurse Ratched rules the roost, unopposed by her patients, at an Oregon State mental hospital. Her regime is soon disrupted by the arrival of McMurphy, who has resolved to oppose her rules in an attempt to battle the powers that keep them all imprisoned.
💭 T H O U G H T S
What an emotional ride!
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is a fictionalized (but all too real) look into the lives of the institutionalized and the journey had me feeling all of the emotions. From hatred towards nurse Ratched, to sympathy and love for the patients, to the shocking similarities to reality.
I feel as though there is a special place for Chief Bromden. Kesey couldn't have chosen a better narrator, yet his offers a unique perspective, flowing from reality to delusion and back again flawlessly. This book wouldn't be what it is if the narration had been from a different perspective.
Everything - the characters, the plot, and the writing - comes together to offer so many layers and covers a wide array of themes. It isn't surprising why this is a classic piece of literature, and opens up so much discussion.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• most readers
• classic enthusiasts
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Man, when you lose your laugh you lose your footing."
"More was revealed in a human face than a human being can bear face to face."
"The world news might not be therapeutic."
Author: Ken Kesey
Genre: Classic
Rating: 4.25
Pub Date: February 1, 1963
T H R E E • W O R D S
Disturbing • Shocking • Powerful
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Nurse Ratched rules the roost, unopposed by her patients, at an Oregon State mental hospital. Her regime is soon disrupted by the arrival of McMurphy, who has resolved to oppose her rules in an attempt to battle the powers that keep them all imprisoned.
💭 T H O U G H T S
What an emotional ride!
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is a fictionalized (but all too real) look into the lives of the institutionalized and the journey had me feeling all of the emotions. From hatred towards nurse Ratched, to sympathy and love for the patients, to the shocking similarities to reality.
I feel as though there is a special place for Chief Bromden. Kesey couldn't have chosen a better narrator, yet his offers a unique perspective, flowing from reality to delusion and back again flawlessly. This book wouldn't be what it is if the narration had been from a different perspective.
Everything - the characters, the plot, and the writing - comes together to offer so many layers and covers a wide array of themes. It isn't surprising why this is a classic piece of literature, and opens up so much discussion.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• most readers
• classic enthusiasts
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Man, when you lose your laugh you lose your footing."
"More was revealed in a human face than a human being can bear face to face."
"The world news might not be therapeutic."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Racism, Suicide, and Confinement
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Medical content, Ableism, Medical trauma, Death, and Misogyny
voilajean's review against another edition
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Medical content, Confinement, Sexual assault, Racial slurs, Medical trauma, and Forced institutionalization
sweetchocolatez's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Racism, Sexual harassment, Medical content, Emotional abuse, Rape, Racial slurs, Mental illness, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Animal cruelty, Drug use, and Animal death