2022 SQHS Your Literate Life - BOOK REVIEWS ONLY discussion

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey
Reviewed by Aidan Fisher

Within the muted white walls of a mental asylum, hospital administrator Nurse Ratched rules over the docile patients with an iron fist. She operates with the ferocity of a dictator; so much as a scant whisper of dissent is silenced with shock therapy and- in severe cases- the lobotomy. The peaceful reign of this autocracy ends upon the entry of one Randle Patrick McMurphy. A stout, muscular Irish American with the silver tongue of a gambler, hands as big as dinner plates, and experiences of the Korean War under his belt, he stands out in the crowd of the dull-eyed sedated crowding the halls and cafeteria. This change is noted, and expanded upon in the realm of imagination, by narrator Chief Bromden- a gigantic, selectively mute Native American who has inhabited the asylum for decades after serving in WW2. It doesn’t take long for the rebellious McMurphy to recognize the tyranny of Nurse Ratched, and he hatches many ideas to revolutionize the asylum forever. McMurphy begins normalizing gambling, basketball games, and comments explicitly on Ratched’s authority, drawing power from her restricted silence. Unfortunately, McMurphy takes it a bit too far when he invites two prostitutes into the asylum in order to take the virginity of Billy Bibbit; a young, stuttering man made into a nervous wreck by Nurse Ratched. The conclusion makes for a showdown between Ratched and McMurphy with severe consequences on both ends.
Foremost I apologize for possibly revealing more than requested. I just don’t know how to word it vaguely, if that makes sense? I’m also trying to not be too wordy and make this huge block of text at least somewhat readable to some degree. This book is one I dove into without expectations, and let me say that I was dazzled. Writing a mental asylum and making it interesting is an achievement, but Kesey uses Bromden to such a well degree that even the lulls in the story were made entertaining by descriptions of his imagination alone. Notwithstanding the premise, it is fun to read solely because of Kesey’s sheer writing ability. I saw this book sitting on the shelf in Barnes & Noble; a book that I had wanted to read for a long time. There’s a movie from 1975 that notoriously stars Jack Nicholson in one of his early roles, which I was aware of, and I would highly recommend reading the book before watching the film. Granted, the plot does kind of drag on at some points- only because it disengages from the rivalry between Randle McMurphy and Nurse Ratched, which is the meat of the story. Kesey assuages the necessary doldrums by delving into Chief Bromden’s thoughts, which are actually interesting if you’re willing to listen. I also forgot to mention that the novel was published and takes place in 1962, so some stuff is kind of dated. Every character undergoes development; all rise to the occasion of rebellion after waiting years (imagine being in a mental asylum for decades on end) to stand up to Ratched’s tyranny. The entire book is narrated by Chief Bromden, who pretends to be deaf in order to both not have to speak, and let people feel invulnerable when spilling secrets in his vicinity. Also be sure to note that there is much more depth in the novel that I have not mentioned, but I wanted to keep this document within the bounds of readability and commonality, rather than this paragraph stretching on, and being anywhere over six hundred words in length.

This book seems quite interesting. I would like to understand more about why McMurphy tries to get back at Ratched in such unusual ways, Like the Billy Bibbit one, like how would they benefit from that? I guess I would have to read the book to understand more.

This was a beautifully written summary, I don’t think I would usually be interested in a book like this but the lengthly writing and well chosen details make me believe otherwise. Mental Asylum’s have such an in depth and brutal history, it would be valuable to hear about one from a reproving and changed perspective.

Amazingly written summary, maybe a little long but totally understandable. I might read the book eventually.

One thing I love in this story is the symbolism, especially the control panel, which becomes very important in the end and emblematic of Chief's "Combine." What did you think about Chief's theories? Though a bit out there, what truths do they hold? P.S. Your writing is beautifully expressive. I hope you plan to write your own novel!

Marrisa wrote: "This book seems quite interesting. I would like to understand more about why McMurphy tries to get back at Ratched in such unusual ways, Like the Billy Bibbit one, like how would they benefit from ..."

Aidan wrote: "One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey
Reviewed by Aidan Fisher

Within the muted white walls of a mental asylum, hospital administrator Nurse Ratched rules over the docile patients with an..."

That's a good question. I won't go too far into it, but it largely has to do with how dependent that Bibbitt is on everyone.

Erika wrote: "One thing I love in this story is the symbolism, especially the control panel, which becomes very important in the end and emblematic of Chief's "Combine." What did you think about Chief's theories..."

I found them very interesting. The concept of the "Influencing Machine" has been of diagnostic criteria of schizophrenia for many, many years. Not only do these theories have root in real psychiatry, but they add a lot more depth to the story and to Bromden's character.