The Procrastinators Book Club discussion

Welcome to the One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest Buddy Read Discussion thread! This thread officially opens on June 1st and anyone can join at any time. Please keep in mind that spoilers are allowed in this thread but only up to the group's current reading place. Do not spoil the book if you've read further than the group. Any extra days can be used to catch up!

Each day we will be reading by chapters or page numbers. Page numbers are an approximation based on the hardcover or paperback that is the default on Goodreads. The suggested Buddy Read discussion schedule is as follows:

Week of 06/01
1st: Part 1: Chapters 1-5
2nd: Part 1: Chapters 6-10

Week of 06/03
3rd: Part 1: Chapters 11-15
4th: Part 2: Chapters 1-4
5th: Part 2: Chapters 5-8
6th: Part 3: Chapters 1-2
7th: Part 4: Chapters 1-4


PARTICIPANTS
~ Brianna
~ Hafs

up through end of part 1/chapter 5:
I know I read this in high school and the copy I'm reading is the exact one that I did read in high school so there have been random quotes highlighted and such but I don't recall much of any of it.
I know it's not as important but I'm curious to know where this book takes place. For some reason I am currently getting Pacific Northwest vibes - like Seattle area.

so apparently my copy (borrowed) isn't divided into chapters???

Anyways I've read this before but I only just "read" it but I don't remember much of what goes on. Only a vague claustrophobic sensation which I am feeling this time around as well (I looked up the trigger warnings this time and I'm not sure if I can finish it. If the feeling persists I will have no choice but to DNF)

1-10?? I'm assuming
(view spoiler)[Bromden to me is an unreliable narrator thought it wouldn't seem that way at first bc everyone thinks he's deaf so he gets the tea from so many sources but also he hallucinates a lot so...also the fog machine could be a metaphor for the mental/brain fog within and him hallucinating the fog makes it feel like he can't find a w way out he feels trapped etc?? (hide spoiler)]

Hafs wrote: "so apparently my copy (borrowed) isn't divided into chapters???

Anyways I've read this before but I only just "read" it but I don't remember much of what goes on. Only a vague claustrophobic sensa..."

Yeah my chapters are titled but have like page breaks so I'm just counting as I go and hope it's kind of on target for the breakdown. lol
Interesting about the claustrophobic sensation - I haven't picked up on that but if I recall some details, that would make sense. If you need to DNF - completely fair!

(view spoiler)[I honestly forgot that Bromden was the narrator and yes - he is definitely an unreliable narrator - hard to know what is really happening versus his interpretation of sorts. (hide spoiler)]

up through end of part 1/chapter 10:
Although I am certainly struggling a small amount with this, I am also quite intrigued. Although McMurphy claims that he is here because he planned it - there is definitely an element of something being off for him - not entirely sure if that is true or if it is because Bromden is so unreliable as a narrator.

un through end of part 1:
(view spoiler)[Broom is such an unreliable character - given his (supposed) background - could it be PTSD? I am still waiting to see what it was about this book that I apparently loved back in high school. Don't get me wrong - I am not *disliking* it this time around but it is definitely not hitting the same way. I can see why this is a classic though. (hide spoiler)]

through the end of part two:
This exchange made me giggle:
"Why this is an outrage... an outrage"
"No; that's a toilet bowl..."

Two things from the first half of part 2:
1. How is broom seemingly more clear minded? Is he actually healing, is it drugs (medication), or some sort of new psychosis?
2. So random and kind of sad about Cheswick!

Thoughts from the second half of part 2:
Those who are still in the hospital and who are not committed and who are relying on McMurphy to "make things right" - kind of cowardly. Not that I blame them. The world can be difficult and why not live somewhere that you have minimal thinking to do.
If McMurphy knew about the risk of being stuck there longer - why would he do that with the glass?

Been trying to read a bit slower bc I don't want to DNF lol
Up to part 2:
You're so right about Cheswick :( (but also a bit triggering to
me)
Why is nurse what's her face acting like they're in a labor camp?? electric shock therapy is CRAZY. For your rebellion we're actually taking away some of your "privileges"?? Aside from the risk of him staying there longer it's good what he did with the glass. The nurse is getting on my nerves.

Sorry for kind of disappearing for a bit - my position was eliminated at work so had a rough week lol BUT I did get caught up and finished this - definitely did not like it as much as I remember liking it in high school. I was SHOCKED at the end. I am curious to see what you think!

Im so sorry to hear about your job :( hopefully that means a new door is about to open for you!!

It took me a while to finish bc I kept having to put to put it down and I hated it. I couldn't stand the MC and that ending didn't help at all. His whole personality is based on him being sexist and everyone thinking he's some sort of hero. He is literally a criminal??? Anyways I don't get why this is a classic but I definitely see why it was banned

Hafs wrote: "Im so sorry to hear about your job :( hopefully that means a new door is about to open for you!!

It took me a while to finish bc I kept having to put to put it down and I hated it. I couldn't stan..."

I think it's one of those classics that didn't age very well. I can see how some teenagers may enjoy it because it's very - rebel against "the man" and be your own person but as an adult - the main guy is not a good dude. lol