The book "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" takes its title from a nursery rhyme. The first three and last lines are from the book, representing the thoughts of the schizophrenic narrator, Chief Bromden. The "cuckoo" refers to insane people, and "flying over the cuckoo's nest" means going too far or leaving the nest. It's also known that cuckoos lay eggs in other birds' nests and push out the others.

The 1975 movie by Milos Forman, starring Jack Nicholson as Randle Patrick McMurphy, was the second film to win all five major Academy Awards. Despite the movie's faithfulness to the book, the emotion and impact are different. Nicholson's performance added a comedic taste, perhaps diluting the book's message about mental wards as instruments of oppression.

The character of McMurphy, sane yet confined, is the first irony. Nurse Mildred Ratched, or Big Nurse, is the second irony. The setting is not as harsh as in other movies, and the patients have some freedoms. The story shows their power struggles, and the ending is tragic, but may not be meant to offer a resolution.

The book was a product of Ken Kesey's experience working at a mental health facility. The narration by Chief Bromden, an unreliable narrator due to his schizophrenia, makes the book unique. Without the insanity and scattered prose, the novel might not have had the same impact. Time Magazine included it in its "100 Best English-language Novels," an achievement Kesey deserves regardless of the movie's awards.

For its shocking revelation and brilliant narrative, reading this book is a spine-tingling experience.

I had not seen the movie, so I could read this book without prejudice. It was truly a pleasant experience.

Kesey immediately puts you on the right track as we see everything through the eyes of the Indian chief-son Broom. After just 20 pages, the famous McMurphy walks in, with an air and an aura that continues to pervade everything until the end of the book.

Of course, this book first and foremost focuses on normality and madness and the not always clear dividing line between them. In this sense, Broom is the actual protagonist of the book, despite the antics of McMurphy.

However, one of the main themes is also the issue between power and manipulation. Both McMurphy and sister Ratchen, the perfidious tyrant, are constantly engaged in a duel at the cutting edge. And the stake of that struggle turns out to be humanity itself: the recognition that even the mentally ill are human and have a right to dignity.

The end of this leaves you in some confusion, but in the meantime, you have had the opportunity to digest numerous moving, intense, and hilarious scenes. I think I'm now ready for the movie. (3.5 stars)

Addendum: Of course, in the meantime, I saw the movie, with an impressive Jack Nicholson unleashing his devils. I'm glad I first read the book because I guess the movie performance would have distorted my view on Kesey's real intentions with the book.

I just watched an interview with Stephen Fry, and he mentioned this book.

I read it a long, long time ago. I think I read it in high school already.

I remember being shocked and amazed. It was scary, funny, dark, and wonderful all at the same time.

It was truly unbelievable. And I just realized that this is one of the best and most impressive books I have ever read.

Definitely a top tenner ever.

I can still recall the vivid characters and the captivating story that unfolded within its pages.

The author's writing style was so unique and engaging that it kept me hooked from start to finish.

This book had a profound impact on me and has stayed with me all these years.

I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a truly remarkable reading experience.

I thought this was one of the best books I had ever read years ago. Just could not stop thinking of it. The story was so captivating and the characters were so vividly portrayed. It left a deep impression on me.

THEN, I went to see the stage play in S.F. when I was a young maiden in High School. The moment I walked into the theater, I was filled with anticipation. And when the play started, I was completely blown away.

It was a powerful classic! The actors brought the story to life in a whole new way. Their performances were so intense and emotional that I found myself on the edge of my seat throughout the entire show. The stage design and lighting added to the overall atmosphere, making it a truly unforgettable experience.

This book truly shattered my perception of what is right and what is wrong.

How could Nurse Ratched be permitted to treat the patients in such a manner? And how was she given the authority to make decisions regarding their treatment?

This book was a fierce battle of wits, a struggle for dominance between Nurse Ratchett and Randle McMurphy.

Randle Patrick Murphy, arriving on the mental ward from prison, feigned insanity to be transferred to what he believed was an easier situation. He showed up as a boisterous redhead with a big laugh and grand ideas. His arrival roused the other patients like never before. Nurse Ratched, however, did not appreciate her ward or her rules being meddled with. Thus, the battle between these two larger-than-life characters commenced. Once you encounter them, you will not easily forget them.

I faced difficulties while reading this book. Firstly, having seen the movie many years ago, as soon as I began reading, I recalled how it would end, and I lived in dread of that conclusion. Secondly, being a retired nurse, I was appalled by Nurse Ratched. I'm certain that nurses like her did exist, but I never encountered one. The thought of someone in her position preying on the weak and helpless was sickening.

This book delves into power and subjugation. It also emphasizes the importance of looking at each individual as unique, rather than attempting to make everyone a clone of one another. This book packs a powerful punch to the gut. It left me feeling unnerved and shaken. It is not a book that a reader can breeze through due to its disturbing nature.

Ken Kesey is a brilliant writer. This book exemplifies what great writing is all about!

Published: 1962

I think the change in the perspective that film screenwriters have created in the screenplay is very intelligent and has led the film from the somewhat surreal space of the book to reality.

In the book "Shutter Island", in the preface of the translator (Koroush Slimzadeh, page 25), I read: "One of the most famous people who was subjected to shock therapy experiments in Project MKUltra was Ken Kesey, who later published his memories of this period in the form of a story in the book "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" (1962), which I found interesting."

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I have seen many people like this, men and women. I have seen them all over the country and in homes; people who try to make you weak so that you will follow their orders, abide by their rules, and live the way they want. And the best way to achieve such a thing is to go to a place where you see the most harm and make you weak by doing this. Page 80 of the book

This world... belongs to the strong, my friend! The basis of our existence is that the strong become stronger by devouring the weak. Page 85 of the book

Until now, I didn't know that a mental illness could have a side of power in itself, power. Think about it: the more insane a person is, the more powerful he can be. Page 277 of the book

He knows that in order to maintain his own balance, we must laugh at the things that cause us pain so that we don't let the world drive us crazy. Page 290 of the book

Gripping story of a power struggle within a claustrophobic setting - between a despotic nurse and rebellious inmate inside an asylum for convicts. The narrative is told through the dispassionate voice of a Native American who does not speak. This unique perspective adds an air of mystery and detachment to the story, making it all the more captivating.

The novel taught me that even the most insignificant settings can give rise to narratives of great power. The asylum, with its cold walls and strict rules, becomes a microcosm of society, where the struggle for power and control plays out in a most intense way.

The story is a powerful metaphor, realised through its excellent characterisation. The despotic nurse and the rebellious inmate are both complex and well-developed characters, each with their own motives and desires. Their interactions drive the story forward and keep the reader on the edge of their seat.

Overall, this is an awesome read that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a thought-provoking and engaging novel.

A modern American classic! Technically, I believe this was a reread for me. I have a faint recollection of this book being assigned back in high school. However, after hearing some recent praise, I was inspired to revisit it as an adult. This time, I listened to it on audio and was immediately drawn into the story of the psychiatric hospital. The arrival of the boisterous Randle P. McMurphy disrupts the routine of Nurse Ratched and the other patients, leading to all sorts of hijinks.

The plot holds up remarkably well. I was surprised to discover that I remembered most of the storyline. The treatment of mental patients in the 1950s and '60s is as shocking as ever. The audio performance was good, but my only frustration was when the book's narrator, Chief, would go off on long tangents. If I wasn't paying close attention, it was easy to get confused, and I often had to rewind to fully understand what Chief was saying.

This was a great novel to reread. I highly recommend it.

Favorite Quotes
"It's the truth even if it didn't happen."
"Man, when you lose your laugh you lose your footing."
"He knows that you have to laugh at the things that hurt you just to keep yourself in balance, just to keep the world from running you plumb crazy."
"What do you think you are, for Chrissake, crazy or somethin'? Well you're not! You're not! You're no crazier than the average asshole out walkin' around on the streets and that's it."
"All I know is this: nobody's very big in the first place, and it looks to me like everybody spends their whole life tearing everybody else down."

I've seen the movie twice, but never read the book, until now.

The shocker is that the movie is JUST as good as the book. Hollywood didn't change a thing! And yet, the book gave it another dimension.

I knew what was going to happen, and how it would happen, but was still willing with every fiber of my body for a different outcome.

McMurphy is one of those anti-heroes that you have to love. This is about his epic battle with Nurse Ratched, his championing of the other men on the ward, and how he turned them from mice into men.

I sure hope that mental institutions have gotten much more humane in the 60 years since this was published. The story is so powerful and engaging. It makes you think about the power dynamics in society and the importance of standing up for what is right.

The characters are well-developed and the plot is full of twists and turns. It's a classic that will stay with you long after you've finished reading or watching.

I would highly recommend both the book and the movie to anyone who is looking for a thought-provoking and entertaining story.

Michel Foucault, in his book "Discipline and Punish", explores the ways in which societies legitimate the imprisonment of individuals. In monarchic France, for example, criminals were publicly tortured and executed. The book begins with a detailed account of the horrific execution of a man in 1767 for an attack on the king's life. Foucault places this account beside a list of the regulations for a reformatory for young delinquents in the middle of the 19th century. The rules carefully explain how the day should be divided: six o'clock wake-up, five minutes to change clothes in silence, another five minutes to make the bed, work until ten o'clock, then a meal after washing hands, two hours of study from ten twenty to twelve, and so on. If execution was a public means for the government to display its absolute power over those who challenged its authority, this reformatory seems much more humane, with moderation and construction.

But which of these two regimes leaves more room for resistance? Foucault argues that the irony lies here.

Criminals who are publicly punished, if they act bravely, sometimes become heroes of the people, and popular songs celebrate their martyrdom and their stories are passed from mouth to mouth. The spectators of the execution often revolt against the executioner and...

But prisoners who are trained away from the gaze to internalize the new rules are effectively put on the right path, become obedient individuals, and any impulse of resistance is drawn out of them.

This shows the complex and often paradoxical nature of power and discipline in society, as explored by Foucault in his poststructuralist work.

It also highlights the importance of understanding how power operates and how individuals can resist or be shaped by it.

Overall, "Discipline and Punish" is a thought-provoking and influential work that has had a significant impact on the fields of sociology, criminology, and cultural studies.

Like most people who grew up in the 60s, I have a deep affection for this book, and even more so for the film version starring Jack Nicholson. This was brought to my mind yesterday when Not and I were discussing the Winona Ryder movie Girl, Interrupted.

"Oh," said Not dismissively, "it's just a remake of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest."

However, I completely disagree. In fact, I believe it is the most coherent criticism I have ever witnessed of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, and it does an excellent job of subverting the message. Throughout most of the movie, one is indeed deceived into seeing the world through Winona Ryder's perspective: she is a free spirit who has been unjustly confined in a mental hospital despite being perfectly sane. In fact, she is more rational than everyone around her, especially the Nazi-like staff. But here's the thing: in the end, she makes a shocking discovery. She realizes that she is out of control, and these abhorrent fascists are actually attempting to assist her. She had somehow overlooked this crucial fact.

As much as it pains me to admit it, I suspect that Winona Ryder might be correct and Jack Nicholson might be incorrect. This is extremely disappointing.

**Title: The Struggle in the Psychiatric Ward**

The décor of the psychiatric ward is a lunatic asylum... forgive me, the psychiatric department. The main characters are the mentally ill patients and the System. The first action, the first scene: Come closer. Even closer. Now lift the curtain. Hey, it's not that scary. What's scarier is... Here, just like this:

"Everyone in their places. The Acutes, sit in your part of the day room and wait for your playing cards and monopoly to be brought to you. The Chronics, sit in your part and wait for the jigsaw puzzles from the Red Cross box to be distributed to you. Ellis, go to your place by the wall, raise your hands so they can nail the nails in you and start picking right. Pete, unhinge your head like a marionette. Scanlon, turn your restless hands on the table in front of you and start imagining building your imaginary bomb to blow up an imaginary world. Harding, start talking and waving your delicate hands in the air and then tuck them under your armpits because who saw a man wave his hands like that. Chief, start whining as if your teeth hurt and your hair is falling out. Everyone breathe in... breathe out... evenly, your hearts beating in the rhythm determined by the Perfocard. Like a track in a cylinder in tact."

You can't take your eyes off the morbid misanthropy of the novel, hypnotized, just as you involuntarily fix your gaze on some bloody catastrophe. Here, on her dark post, Sister Ratched marches, firmly determined to push her pampered pets in the right direction. The first time I read it, the name of the sister led me to the word "ratchet" (a mechanical device that allows movement in only one direction – Wikipedia – a ratchet mechanism), and although it's not written exactly like that, the association stayed with me until the end. Ratched is the cog of the System that doesn't let the little wheels under her power move where they please and suffocates them with her poisonous grease until they stop resisting the correct direction of movement.

And the mentally ill in this devilish department are people whom the System has spat out because they didn't come out exactly according to the mold it prepared for them. Because they "don't fit in" and need "to be adjusted." Because they are different (this dirty word even in today's society). And when such a one appears who is not ready to be pushed into the pen for identical specimens, the System chokes on its own bile.

"All this time, McMurphy is laughing. (...) Because he knows very well that you have to smile at what causes you pain to maintain balance, not to be disturbed by this shitty world."

And yet, even braver than the others in the department, McMurphy is only one against the whole established order and wears his mask in front of it. And sometimes even the best mask frays at the edges... Human mind is a Savage Garden, if I may paraphrase Anne Rice.

"But as he was speaking, the rear lights of the passing cars illuminated McMurphy's face and the front glass reflected an expression that he had allowed himself only because he thought it was too dark and couldn't be seen – horribly exhausted, tense, and insanely desperate, as if he didn't have time left to do something that he had to do..."

And despite everything, Mac continues to fight. He refuses to leave his crazy friends , who are actually not crazy, because he is responsible for them. Because when you create a connection with something, you are already responsible for it.

And the finale... the finale couldn't be happy in the end. In a way, it was actually happy. There was no victory, but there was acceptance. And Mac got his true freedom, and it was given to him by one of those to whom he had first reached out.