Book Review: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

"One flew east, one flew west, one flew over the cuckoo's nest." This is a modern classic, a book that not only entertains, but touches the heart. The writer Ken Kesey, despite being an acid-fueled hippie, had vast talents in drawing the reader into his characters' world. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest has a knack for humor, drama, sorrow, and triumph -- and somehow fitting it all seamlessly into one book.

The story, written in 1963, is about Randall McMurphy, a petty criminal who feigns insanity in hopes of serving an easier sentence in a mental institute than a prison. Quickly, he discovers that the institute is much worse than he could have dreamed due to the iron fisted rule of Nurse Ratched, a sadistic leader who controls the patients with a cold, passive-aggressive power.

Surprisingly, the story is not told through the eyes of Randall McMurphy, but through the towering Native American, "Chief" Bromden. Chief is a timid soul who seems to be deaf and mute. His character serves as an unorthodox narrator who sees life through an exaggerated filter, exposing the other characters' true colors. For example, he sees Nurse Ratched as a frightening, hulking figure and sees the patients as small, cowardly people rendered powerless by her intimidation.


The lead characters are rich and fantastically developed. McMurphy is a brash but charismatic protagonist who leads the patients in defiance against Nurse Ratched. Though he does this in humorous ways (like threatening to disrobe himself in front of her), he inspires hope in the other patients. He may have a crude, rough exterior, but he is actually a heroic and warm hearted man.

Randall McMurphy played by Jack Nicholson.

 The supporting cast of mental patients is also well fleshed out. From the intelligent but insecure Harding to the stuttering, cowardly Billy Bibbit, they are all intriguing characters. With the help of McMurphy, these timid souls realize that the controlling Ratched has stripped them of dignity with both subtle tactics (guilt and shame) and horrifying threats like Electro-Shock therapy.

Nurse Ratched is one of modern literature's greatest villains. Her emotionless, mechanical precision is disturbing and her intelligence is formidable. A great example of her subtle power is the group discussion scenes in which she implies nasty things about each patient (like incest and crime) and gets them to turn on each other. Only when McMurphy calls the session a "pecking party" do they all realize what's she's been doing.

Nurse Ratched with her classic Medusa-like glare.

The major difference between the novel and the film adaptation is the point of view. In the movie, we see a clear and unobstructed view into an Oregon mental ward. The book, instead, is narrated by the hazy minded Chief Bromden who often hallucinates. Some of the events in the novel, (like Ratched freezing the clock so time won't go by), are not really happening; they just serve as metaphors.

Ultimately, which is better: the book or the 1975 film? That's a matter of opinion and I honestly can't decide. Both Jack Nicholson as McMurphy and Louise Fletcher as Ratched won respective Academy Awards for their chilling performances, but the book is equally stunning. Kesey's writing style is vibrant and full of life, unveiling the horrifying reality of mental asylums to the world.

Conclusion:
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is a phenomenal book full of fascinating characters and sincere emotion. The writing style is innovative and refreshing, telling the story through the eyes of a silent bystander, Bromden. Give this book a try and you'll be in for an unforgettable experience.

Score:
5/5 Phenomenal