Reviews

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey

somills's review against another edition

dark funny tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

Certainly something. 

dutchuncleandy's review against another edition

5.0

Would give more stars to the 50th anniversary edition audiobook, brilliantly performed by John C Reilly

laurenjoy's review against another edition

4.0

This book was nothing like what I expected. Once I opened it I understood all of the jokes about the terrifying Nurse Ratched, The book read almost like a Stephen King novel where the tension builds and the enemies are straight out malicious. It was a wonderfully gripping story- although... not advised for bedtime reading. That is- unless you want some very vivid dreams.

lucy_goosey7's review against another edition

5.0

A wonderfully tangled, rich, gorgeous writing style - I fell in love with this book a while back and it still may be my favourite ever

yvainethorn's review against another edition

dark informative sad

4.5

malvord27's review against another edition

challenging emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

hjack85's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional lighthearted fast-paced

5.0

jesmndz's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny and Racism

Minor: Sexual violence

pam_d's review against another edition

2.0

What was right with this book? The imagery was superb, the characters were real and keep you engrossed in the story. So why didn't I like it?...while I don't doubt there were/are real problems with the mental health system, the author is trying to show that society is just a machine with humans as the cogs in the wheel. In other words, we are all patients in the mental ward. His way of illustrating this is juvenile and painful to read. Our hero is McMurphy who takes the anti-hero to new depths as a serial rapist but is raised up by the men in the ward as an inspiration. The book contains racism and is very anti-women. Masculinity is celebrated as plenty of sex and booze. Definitely will not read it again.

bake_n_shake's review against another edition

challenging dark funny reflective sad medium-paced

• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0