Book Brief
640
Novel • Fiction
Oregon • 1960s
1964
Adult
18+ years
1020L
Super Short Summary
In Ken Kesey's Sometimes a Great Notion, the Stamper family of independent loggers defies a logging union’s strike against a larger company, leading to internal family conflict and external sabotage. This novel explores themes of resilience, family loyalty, and personal vendettas through an experimental narrative structure. Topics include infidelity and familial conflict.
Gritty
Contemplative
Melancholic
Challenging
Emotional
Reviews & Readership
24,130 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Ken Kesey’s Sometimes a Great Notion offers a rich portrayal of a struggling Oregon logging family, praised for its intricate narrative and vivid character development. While the novel’s non-linear structure and shifting perspectives can be challenging, they contribute to its depth. The complex prose and raw depiction of resilience resonate, making it a compelling, albeit demanding, read.
Who Should Read Sometimes a Great Notion?
A reader who enjoys Sometimes a Great Notion by Ken Kesey likely appreciates complex family dynamics and vivid depictions of nature, akin to themes in John Steinbeck's East of Eden and Norman Maclean's A River Runs Through It. Fans of multi-perspective narratives and rich, immersive storytelling would find this book compelling.
24,130 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
640
Novel • Fiction
Oregon • 1960s
1964
Adult
18+ years
1020L
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