Rating: 
Summary: Absolutely superb.
Review: Since reading One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest recently, it has rapidly become my favourite book. Kesey has managed to tell a story whilst making a complex political allegory, and that is incredibly refreshing. The characters are so vivid, both loveable and sometimes vile, and Kesey finds the balance between making their exploits humorous, and not patronising the patients of the asylum. McMurphy is a classic hero, but far more complex than most so-called Christ-like figures in literature. The Chief however steals the show for me. The writing during the time he tells how alcoholism is destroying his Father is incredibly moving. Using the Chief as the omnipresent narrator is a superb device employed by Kesey, as it allows a unique, personal and sometimes confusing insight into all the proceedings. Like all great literature, it makes you think, but does it with a unique sense of humour and character, and handles its heavy subject matter with ease: this is a simple read but devastatingly effective. The end of the book is both sad and yet also happy. That adjective sums up the book perfectly- happysad.
Rating:
Summary: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
Review: The book One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kessy is a wonderful collection of similes, metaphors and parallels that make all the different characters the unique characters they are. All of the characters bring certain traits to table and that's what makes this book what it is. This book takes place in a mental ward that becomes disrupted when Patrick McMurphy is admitted into it. He turns the usually calm regulated world of the ward upside down and spins it all the way around. He defies the Big Nurse whenever he can and loves it. He turns lots of the other patients against the big nurse and it turns into a full fledged rebellion going fishing illegally with a girl who turns out to be a prostitute, having parties until the wee hours of the morning with prostitutes, and finally killing McMurphy, the leader of the rebellion because he becomes a vegetable. This book is the best one I've read in a long time. Ken Kessy brings the characters to life and makes you feel like your right in alongside Chief Bromden and McMurphy. It's a very good book and I suggest that you read it.
Rating: 
Summary: Good book
Review: its good. Unless you really like owning books just borrow it from someone and read it. I probably wont read it again.
Rating:
Summary: Let the Milos Forman and Jack Nicholson entertain you.
Review: I first watched the movie, then read the novel. With respect, I enjoyed the movie much more than the book. Milos Forman (The director of "One flew over the cukoo's nest.") made the movie magical and as entertaining as it can ever get. However, the book is filled with deeper details and themes. In the book, Chief bromden is describing Mcmurphy's behavior and in the movie, we see in perspective of the patience. Either way, it's a masterpiece. I would definitely recommend you with the movie rather than reading the novel in this particular case. I know that some books are far better than the movies but this one is different. Jack Nicholson and the rest of the crue FLIES OVER the CUKOO'S NEST. They are unbelievable. Most importantly, without the book, this movie wouldn't have existed. Thanks to Ken Kessey for his eloquence and passion in bringing this book possible. Wonder lies within you Ken Kessey.
Rating:
Summary: !!!
Review: This book is perfect, about a few people in a mental institution, who strive to overthrow the combine of society. It feels real, yet not real at the same time. Happy and sad. Everyone should read this book!
Rating:
Summary: Makes you think, who's the cuckoo?
Review: Ken Kesey is a fascinating writer. He draws you in with a unique story with several implications. It kind of makes you wonder who really belongs in the ward. McMurphy provides his peers with encouragement and hope. The horrid Nurse Ratched is a character you'll just love to hate (reminiscent of Rebecca's Mrs. Danvers...or at least I thought so). If you have seen the Academy Award-winning film with Jack Nicholson (and you'll be a bit surprised to see a much younger Danny DeVito and Christopher Lloyd), you know how great the story is. However, the book is undoubtedly better than this great film. If you haven't seen the film, begin with the book. I only hope Ken Kesey's other books are this good (apparently he died a few months ago).
Rating:
Summary: Intricate and Timeless Examination of Society
Review: Kesey's first book is widely regarded as his best and is a witty and subtle look at the "machinery" and "fog" that is society. Well written and very addictive, this book is ostensibly about mental patients in a ward dominated by an oppressive and evil nurse. Yet it is really an allegory on many levels. It works as a biblical allegory because, although R. P. McMurphy has a shady past and his behavior is by no means perfect, he does indeed try to set the men free by freeing their spirits. Throughout this book Kesey uses imagery and symbolism to drive home his point. The indellible image of McMurphy on a cross-shaped bed about to be shocked into submission further proves this. It works as a societal allegory. Nurse Ratched and Co. are the ruthless enforcers of an invisible code, their power coming from apathy (or ignorance) on higher levels, or it is given willingly because nobody else will get their hands dirty. There is a lot more to this book, it is an engrossing and memorable experience. If you are thinking of renting the movie instead, I actually would recommend seeing the film first. Why? Because, as is always necessary, the film preserves the same themes from the book and has virtuoso acting from everyone, especially Jack. The woman that they got to play Ratched is excellent too. If you watch the movie first, it works as a good intro to the deeper, more complex book. Anyway, this is a book with a message that is still relevant today and imagery that will envelop you as sure as diving into the deep end of a pool. Enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest: What a Read
Review: "one flew east, one flew west, one flew over the cuckoo's nest" One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest by author Ken Kesey enthralls the reader, and brings them into the asylum with the Chief and McMurphy. This book goes into great detail about what life was like in the 60's, what life was like in an asylum, and what life was like with McMurphy. This book does not have one underdeveloped character, or one loose end. This book has a lot of symbolism such as: Christ, the fish, the poem "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest", and many more. There are struggles brought up between the men; the fight with themselves, Nurse Ratched, the machinery, and the outside world. The detail and precision in this book would make the reader believe that he in face resided at a Insane Asylum and had electro-shock therapy. It makes you believe that he was a rebel like McMurphy, but on the other hand there is the Chief. Kesey has great skills at writing, and using characters to really make this book a page-turner. But, the best part of Kesey's is that it takes the reader to new levels of fear and hope for McMurphy and the gang.
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Summary: My favorite "Beat Gen." book
Review: Kesey's novel came out around the time the original Beat Generation was somewhat dwindling. Some consider (and I think rightly so) that it mutated into the hippie counterculture, but I'll leave that up to cultural historians. Any way you take it this is a monumental book. It certainly was an inspiration to me, a little lost "weirdo oustider" wandering the vacant shallow halls of high school, watching how it seemed everyone else "fit in." Then, after reading CUCKOO'S NEST, it became clear to me how much more important it was to be myself, even if that meant not being part of the "in crowd." Of course, there is literature out there that denounces being individuals, such as Eugene Ionesco's RHINOCEROS, but hey...I'd rather be alone than feel phony. Anyhow, as I'm sure other reviews have noted, you HAVE to read the book first or else all you will see when you read the name "RP MacMurphy" is Jack Nicholson's face. Also, a funny symbol I noticed: in the part of the book when the patients are all on the bus which MacMurphy drives off, I thought it was symbolic of Kesey (I think it was him anyway) and his bus of "merry pranksters." I'm not sure what they were all about or what they did, but I remember hearing about them. A fine book that challenges so many thing: individuality vs. conformity, what is insane/sane, who decides? This is one powerful story you won't forget anytime soon.
Rating:
Summary: Great Piece of American Literature
Review: After reading "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," I was generally satisfied with the story line. The serious novel is told through the eyes of Chief Bromden, an Indian perceived to be deaf and dumb. With the arrival of patient R. P. McMurphy, the mental hospital receives a brutal touch of reality. Loudmouthed, rebellious McMurphy struggles in his attempts to make the hospital's patients assertive. He constantly rebels the authority of the hospital's nurse, Miss Ratched. After hampering Miss Ratched's stolid authority, McMurphy gains the patient's trust. His continuous outbursts are often comedic. Chief Bromden dangerously sheds his cover and communicates with the other patients. During a trip away from the hospital, the patients show a great deal of evolution. Nearing the end of the novel, the plot builds to an unexpected conclusion. In this novel, Kesey relays several adult themes while keeping the novel fun and fast-moving.
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