Book Review: One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest

One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest was published in 1962 and written by Ken Kesey. Kesey was inspired by his part time job, an ­­orderly in a Palo Alto Veterans’ hospital, and by a creative writing program at Stanford University. While writing the book, Kesey was experimenting with LSD, which made him hallucinate. These hallucinations influenced the narrator, Chief Bromden. (http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/kkesey.htm) One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest is based around a theme of man versus the outside world, also known as society. Throughout the entire story, a character by the name of McMurphy attempts to overcome his surrounding environment. He checks into the institution to get out of work at a farm, but soon realizes his plan is not working out. He then attempts to break out, but returns within weeks in a coma because of a lobotomy. Chief Bromden smothers him with a pillow to put him out of his misery (Book).

One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest is very mind challenging. Sometimes I found myself lost, but most of the time I could keep on track. Kesey uses such description that made me feel as though I was there myself. The twist at the end with the Chief and McMurphy came to a sudden surprise to me, but being a strong believer in putting people and animals out of their misery it came as a good one.

The only part of One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest I did not care for was the lobotomy scenes. I learned a great deal about them and I can officially say I am against them. I have such a strong feeling about this, and I feel as though it is murder of the human mind. However, I enjoyed this book so much, that I am eager to read it again and would suggest it to anyone.

References:
(2003). Ken (Elton) Kesey (1935-2001). Retrieved November 23, 2007 from http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/kkesey.htm

Other Sources To Check Out:
http://www.amazon.com/One-Flew-Over-Cuckoos-Nest/dp/0451163966/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1196048993&sr=8-2

http://kclibrary.nhmccd.edu/kesey.html