59 pages • 1 hour read
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
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Book Brief
325
Novel • Fiction
Oregon Psychiatric Hospital • 1960s
1962
Adult
18+ years
1040L
Super Short Summary
In Ken Kesey's One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, the story unfolds in an Oregon psychiatric ward where Chief Bromden, a patient who feigns deafness and muteness, narrates the struggle between the rebellious new patient, Randle McMurphy, and the authoritarian Nurse Ratched. The novel explores power dynamics within the ward as McMurphy challenges the oppressive rules, leading to significant changes and conflicts among the patients and staff. The book contains themes of mental health, coercion, and institutional control.
Mysterious
Unnerving
Challenging
Melancholic
Bittersweet
Reviews & Readership
759,227 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Ken Kesey's One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is lauded for its compelling narrative and complex characters, particularly McMurphy and Nurse Ratched. Critics praise its incisive look at institutionalization and control, though some feel the portrayal of mental illness lacks nuance. Overall, it remains a provocative, impactful read with enduring relevance.
Who Should Read One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest?
A reader who enjoys One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey appreciates intricate character studies and themes of individuality versus institutional control. Fans of Catch-22 by Joseph Heller and To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, who value deep moral questions and social critique, will find this novel captivating.
759,227 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Randle Patrick “Mack” McMurphy
Randle Patrick “Mack” McMurphy
A charismatic, redheaded veteran who disrupts the ward’s routine, challenging authority and inspiring other patients with his rebellious spirit.
Nurse Ratched
Nurse Ratched
The authoritarian figure on the ward, known for her manipulative control over patients, who strives to maintain order and compliance.
William “Billy” Bibbit
William “Billy” Bibbit
A vulnerable patient who struggles with a stutter and dependency on female authority figures, yet temporarily gains confidence with McMurphy’s encouragement.
Dale Harding
Dale Harding
An articulate, intellectual patient at odds with Ratched’s authority, whose insights provide clarity on ward dynamics and who ultimately chooses to navigate the system on his own terms.
325
Novel • Fiction
Oregon Psychiatric Hospital • 1960s
1962
Adult
18+ years
1040L
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