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

dark funny tense

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Diverse cast of characters? No

4.75

eI kept expecting to hate this book (because it's a classic, because it seems scary, because the intro said some people thinks it's sexist/racist...). In spite of all that, I kept finding myself drawn in. Kesey's writing is beautiful and evocative (gonna think about that glass shattering like water line for a while). The tension/plot ratcheted (lol) steadily up and down -- basically I was never bored and always wanted to keep reading. 

But he definitely does not respect women or black people at all lmao. Women particular have no role in this book outside of trying to please/cut down men. It wasn't the first book I've read like this and it won't be the last but I'm trying to decide how to feel about it. Also crazy that this was published around the same time as 'The Second Sex', so people definitely knew that women had thoughts lol. 

Anyway, I am conflicted but I loved the experience of reading this book and thought is was upsetting/scary/a lil cool that MKUltra happened in Menlo Park lmaooo

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment