One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
by Ken Kesey · first published 1962
46% recommend46% neutral8% critical
Why HN recommends it
Original, lucid novel about an institution and its patients, powerful in its portrayal of abuses of involuntary commitment. It is one of Kesey's finest works.
Common criticism: Some note it is a novel, not a documentary, and that it can be read as one-sided on institutions.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is a novel written by Ken Kesey. Set in an Oregon psychiatric hospital, the narrative serves as a study of institutional processes and the human mind; including a critique of psychiatry, and a tribute to individualistic principles
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Everything in moderation. Ken Kesey wrote two of my favorite books "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" (1962) and "Sometimes a Great Notion" (1964), but basically produced nothing of much merit after that. I'm convinced that his subsequent over-indulgence in psychedelics destroyed his ability to produce…
on “Communication between brain networks in people given psilocybin” ↗Ken Kesey- the author of The Great American Novel- "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest".
on “Ken Kesey, the Art of Fiction No. 136 (1994)” ↗Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey Nonfiction: Market Wizards: Interviews with Top Traders by Jack D. Schwager (1993) Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond (history)
on “Ask HN: What to read during the holidays?” ↗…their growing legit digging). A sensitive, yet salacious type of subject that can use a spotlight in my opinion. Simply put, I hope for improvement. One of the first films I ever watched with my Dad was "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest" partly because it's part of his life history (grew up in Pac Northwest, ran into Ken Kesey a few times) but also because of the amazing life lessons within. The book is even more epic and deep. And,…
on “Intake – American's largest psychiatric chain” ↗Altered Carbon - Richard K Morgan The Blade Itself - Joe Abercrombie A Walk Among the Tombstones - Lawrence Block Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest - Ken Kesey Use of Weapons - Iain M Banks Blood Song - Anthony Ryan Red Rising - Pierce Brown Catch 22 - Joseph Heller The Short Timers - Gustav Hasford
on “Ask HN: What are some must read books?” ↗I don't think "one flew over the cuckoo's nest" romanticizes mental illness, for me it is about demonizing institutionalization. It pictures the time when mental illness diagnostic was an easy method to put away anyone annoying or inconvenient (the…
on “Why what we think we know about schizophrenia is wrong” ↗I'd read a little about the problems caused by involuntary commitment. Even a novel like One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest or Maria, or the Wrongs of Woman or Woman on the Edge of Time might give you a different perspective. I understand where you're coming from, but making it possible for people to get others committed against…
on “I Used to Be Homeless” ↗Yes, it's almost like "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest" divergence level at this point. The movie/show and book(s) are both excellent but tell very different stories.
on “New Game of Thrones episode appears in the wild” ↗If you haven't read the book or seen the movie I'd highly recommend "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest", both are excellent.
on “Intake – American's largest psychiatric chain” ↗…book The African Queen and the 1951 film directed by John Huston. Pick a novel that riffs on subjects you're already into. Sylvia Plath's The Bell Jar involves psychology as a major plot element, as do One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and Requiem for a Dream. All three have been adapted into excellent films.
on “Ask HN: How to transition from non-fiction to fiction reading?” ↗…artist has experienced then you're in undiscovered country. Ken Kesey was a guinea pig in the CIA's early experiments with LSD. He went on to be amongst LSDs earliest recreational users, and that led to "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest", which is a strikingly original and lucid novel.
on “Writers and Drugs” ↗…Dick wrote about LSD in Palmer Eldritch in 1965, but didn't actually try it until much later. Zelazny's work has psychedelic overtones and one in-story LSD scene, but he was just getting started in '67. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is pretty much the only major piece of acid-derived fiction I can think of by 1967. Obviously, Heinlein was wrong. But I'd be interested whether he ever followed up on this; the acid-droppers started…
on “Acid test: on drugs and science fiction (2017)” ↗> I don't think "one flew over the cuckoo's nest" romanticizes mental illness, for me it is about demonizing institutionalization. Intent is one thing, effect is another. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, the book and movie, broke ground upon its release,…
on “Why what we think we know about schizophrenia is wrong” ↗As we are kind of in Ken Kesey country here, I would add "Sometimes A Great Notion", which I think is his best novel - better than "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest".
on “Larry McMurtry has died” ↗It has been some time but I think it's from "Hells Angels' I learned Ken Kesey, author of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, participated in MKUltra while working as a student at Menlo Park Veteran's Hospital and the character Chief was inspired by his own hallucinations. Hunter S. Thompson partied with the Hells Angels at…
on “The undercover special agent who busted a dangerous biker gang” ↗