Review: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In this classic of the 1960s, Ken Kesey's hero is Randle Patrick McMurphy, a boisterous, brawling, fun-loving rebel who swaggers into the world of a mental hospital and takes over. A lusty, life-affirming fighter, McMurphy rallies the other patients around him by challenging the dictatorship of Nurse Ratched. He promotes gambling in the ward, smuggles in wine and women, and openly defies the rules at every turn. But this defiance, which starts as a sport, soon develops into a grim struggle, an all-out war between two relentless opponents  Nurse Ratched, back by the full power of authority, and McMurphy, who has only his own indomitable will. What happens when Nurse Ratched uses her ultimate weapon against McMurphy provides the story's shocking climax.

Wow, this is one of the best school reads I have been assigned!

Characters: If you haven't read the book and only saw the movie, you would think that McMurphy is the main character.  But Chief Bromden is the one who is the main character.  If you want analysis on this book, I'll post it, but all in all, the characters have a lot of personality.  They'll certainly give you a laugh.  These men have their weaknesses, and McMurphy helps them stand up to the evil Nurse Ratched.

Plot: Having Bromden, who pretends to be deaf and dumb, narrate the book is genius.  This story is heart-warming, seeing the men unite and fight for themselves!  Even though the ending is bittersweet, it is fitting. It is, thus, memorable.  

Would I recommend it to a friend? Yes, this book is actually written in modern English, and the witty characters will keep your attention.

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