One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest Book Review

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Much like Steinbeck's East of Eden, this is one of those great American classics that every American, young and old, should take it upon themselves to read. Like Steinbeck's aforementioned book, there's something about One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest that makes it a unique piece of truly-American American literature. It represents a shared experience that goes beyond the plot laid out and into something that can unequivocally be said to be a part of the American Experience that we all share in. At times the story is laugh-out-loud humorous, while other times it is exceptionally poignant, but throughout the story is a message that not only spoke to a post-WWII generation, but to all the generations that have followed and continue to roll forth.

I'd also like to make a little plug for the Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition that I read, which was really quite nice. Included alongside the text are the drawings that Kesey did of, what I assume to be, the real patients at the insane asylum which he worked at as, first, a medication guinea pig and, then, a nurse. The illustrations are quite good and actually added a lot to the story. This edition also has a really great cover with comic book illustrations of scenes from the book, high-quality paper, and a thoughtful introduction. Unfortunately it isn't available in hardcover, but it's still quite nice.

Regardless of which edition you pick up, this is a truly great work of literature and I would definitely consider it to be one of those books that everyone should read. Highly recommended.



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