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

adventurous challenging dark inspiring reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

A lot of feelings about this book. On one hand, it was SO compelling and the prose was incredibly strong. The ending was powerful and gut-wrenching.  I think the narrative of disenfranchised men regaining their personhood and standing up to the system is deeply moving. But Kesey has an... interesting way of asserting this. A generous read would say that Kesey explores how minorities can be pitted against one another to maintain a system that benefits none. But, that's a little too generous in my opinion. Repeatedly, Kesey romanticizes the power of masculinity at its worst. Statutory rape, repeated sexual harassment, etc, are seen as trophies that different men wear as they reclaim their power. And don't even get me started on the racism- I find it so interesting that the mixed-race protagonist is written so compellingly while the characterization of the black nurses in this book is overwhelmingly painful to read. And of course, in the moment McMurphy asserts his power over the black nurse who abuses him, he's gotta whip out the racial slur. To Kesey, these men must claim their power by disenfranchising others- particularly women and black people. Honestly, it totally detracts from the point Kesey is trying to make. These men aren't standing up to the system- they're also playing into it, just like the Big Nurse and all those who cooperate with her corrupt ward.
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