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A review by iarlais
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey
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.