'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' review by book club member Sam..

I have literally just finished reading One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest and after the first couple of pages really liked it. I have just started working myself in a mental hospital with some forensic patients and actually it is obvious that Kesey has spent some time in a similar environment. 

 

I thought the initial meeting was a great way of establishing the characters and the dynamics between them esp. Nurse Ratched, McMurphy and the doctor. I thought the themes of the book about people maybe hiding behind 'madness' and feeling safer in and attached to the hospital environment interesting. 

I was actually very shocked and slightly disappointed by the pacing of the book. My initial excitement at reading the book died down as Part 1 seemed so long and so little seemed to happen plot-wise that even I who is normally character-centred found this part of the book too dragged out to maintain my attention and actually found it a bit of a chore to get through this part. I found myself reading paragraphs and not taking in what I had read. However, as the book moved on to part 2 and on towards its finale, the plot seemed to pace up and the last couple of twists and turns (especially the deaths) really surprised me! 

This book also made me think a lot about the relationships between people, I found Harding's interpretation of McMurphy's behaviour and the rewards that both McMurphy and they had all gained as a consequence, interesting. I think maybe it says something about so called selfish and selfless behaviour across the board. 

I loved the relationship between Billy and Candy. It was so sweet and endearing as was the friendships between Billy and McMurphy and McMurphy and the Chief. I know this book was written years ago but I did find it difficult to read some of the racial references so frequently especially towards the aids. I guess, that shows just how much society has changed in some ways over the last 40 years or so.

I did watch the film when I was struggling with the book and I enjoyed it. I was amazed by how different the characters were in appearance to how I'd imagined them to be. Although not always faithful to the book character and scene-wise, Nicholson and Co did give me the final push to return to the book and finish it.

I'm slightly disappointed that I'm not raving about this book as I really was so looking forward to reading it. However, it is readable and gave me a lot to think about. Overall, I'm very pleased I've read the book. It is very unique and one, I doubt that I will forget easily.

 

-Sam