In a mental institution, the rebellious Randle McMurphy challenges the oppressive Nurse Ratched, igniting a battle for individuality and freedom. His vibrant spirit revitalizes the patients, who have been subdued by a regime of control. Through his antics, McMurphy exposes the harsh realities of conformity and institutionalization. As tensions rise, the stakes become personal, leading to shocking consequences. 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' is a poignant exploration of sanity, power, and the human spirit that leaves readers questioning the true nature of freedom.
By Ken Kesey
Published: 1963
"It's a hard thing to be a man, a man that’s been turned into a thing. But that’s how it is, isn’t it? They turn you into a thing, just to keep you quiet."
An international bestseller and the basis for the hugely successful film, Ken Kesey's One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is one of the defining works of the 1960s. In this classic novel, Ken Kesey’s hero is Randle Patrick McMurphy, a boisterous, brawling, fun-loving rebel who swaggers into the world of a mental hospital and takes over. A lusty, life-affirming fighter, McMurphy rallies the other patients around him by challenging the dictatorship of Nurse Ratched. He promotes gambling in the ward, smuggles in wine and women, and openly defies the rules at every turn. But this defiance, which starts as a sport, soon develops into a grim struggle, an all-out war between two relentless opponents: Nurse Ratched, backed by the full power of authority, and McMurphy, who has only his own indomitable will. What happens when Nurse Ratched uses her ultimate weapon against McMurphy provides the story’s shocking climax. “BRILLIANT!”—Time “A SMASHING ACHIEVEMENT...A TRULY ORIGINAL NOVEL!”—Mark Schorer “Mr. Kesey has created a world that is convincing, alive and glowing within its own boundaries...His is a large, robust talent, and he has written a large, robust book.”—Saturday Review
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“It's a hard thing to be a man, a man that’s been turned into a thing. But that’s how it is, isn’t it? They turn you into a thing, just to keep you quiet.”
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
By Ken Kesey
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
Ken Kesey was an influential American novelist, playwright, and countercultural figure, best known for his groundbreaking works that explore themes of individuality, society, and the human condition. His most notable novel, 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' (1962), critiques authoritarianism and conformity through the lens of a mental institution. Kesey’s writing style is characterized by its vivid imagery, magical realism, and a distinctive stream-of-consciousness narrative. He was also a prominent figure in the Merry Pranksters, a group that famously promoted psychedelic culture in the 1960s. Other significant works include 'Sometimes a Great Notion' (1964) and the eclectic 'Last Go Round' (1994). Kesey's legacy continues to influence literature and social movements, reflecting the spirit of rebellion and creativity.
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