Book Review by
Glen Taylor
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Ken Kesey is a unique figure in American letters and Political/Cultural History.
He was involved in the early research on LSD conducted by the American Government at Stanford University. He was a willing participant in one of the greatest studies ever conducted into Human Consciousness. Kesey then took that newfound knowledge of his own psyche and wrote an American Classic. He used the money from
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s NestOne Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
the successful book and movie to finance a series of experiments and political demonstrations in the 60s that would become legion.
One Flew Over the Cuckoos’s Nest is the story of Randal McMurphy – later portrayed masterfully by Jack Nicholson in the movie version – a perfectly American personification of Liberty trapped in a World of constraints. In this case the constraints are first the laws of society, and second the laws of Nurse Ratched in the mental hospital where he is serving his time.
The story is narrated by one of the other patients, a big Indian named Chief Bromden or Chief Broom. It’s a time worn technique in American Literature to leave the narration to someone with a disadvantage thus allowing for a freedom of expression – the so-called unreliable narrator. Take for other examples Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (young), To Kill a Mockingbird (young), Lolita (weirdo), Bromden (mentally ill), The Racketeer (discreditable). Bromden is a great choice to uncover the absurdities of the modern world and it’s rules which he calls The Combine.
And then it’s a great story of personal liberation.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, the movieOne Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, the movie
The movie was the first adult film I ever saw. My parents were struck dumb and were visibly shaken. I think it was before the film ratings system and this is the type of film it was created for. I think my childhood was over after seeing this amazing film. It’s funny, poignant, bloody, disturbed, brilliant and important. It follows the book quite well with a few minor exceptions.
Read it and Watch it.
Book Title: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
Author: Ken Kesey
Date published: 1963
Image:
In language: English
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 0451163966
Average rating: 4.4
Rating: 5
Votes: 684
Reviewer: Glen Taylor
Review rating: 5
Review date: Apr 7, 2014