Staff Pick: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

By Tyson Johnson

… one flew east, one flew west,

One flew over the cuckoo’s nest.

—Children’s folk rhyme

As you may have guessed, the staff pick for this month is none other than Ken Kesey’s famous novel, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Many may be familiar with Jack Nicholson’s iconic portrayal in the 1975 film adaptation, but Kesey’s titular character, McMurphy, was being talked about over a decade prior to the film’s release. If you’ve only seen the movie, trust me, you need to read the book.

What really makes this story interesting is how it centers around the constant battle between McMurphy, the hot-headed newcomer, and Nurse Ratched, the conniving, self-appointed ruler of the mental facility at Oregon State Hospital. Nurse Ratched runs a tight operation that keeps the other patients conformed to her wishes but McMurphy’s raucous behavior and refusal to conform causes the other patients in the ward to question the Nurse’s intentions. With a story that takes you through a wild game of cat and mouse, the question as to who is chasing who will constantly be on your mind.

Told from the unique perspective of the silent Chief Broom, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest follows the constant chess match between Ratched and McMurphy as they both vie for control of the ward. The constant power struggle between Nurse Ratched and McMurphy keeps you flipping through the pages to see who’s tactics of manipulation and intimidation will win over the other patients of the mental institution. The tension builds with each subsequent chapter as both Ratched and McMurphy get more and more creative with each new bout. This book will keep you guessing who will end up with all the power to the very end.

The amazing cast of characters is another reason to pick this book up. Every character is unique, each with their own goals and flaws. Kesey’s writing makes you so attached to these characters as they succeed, fail, and learn more about themselves as the story progresses. I love how they all feel so real. Not a single one feels like a stock character or placed in the story for convenience. They are really there, and so relatable. I found myself reflected in the actions of several characters, realizing my own shortcomings but also my successes as well. For me, being able to see life’s reflection is what defines great writing.

Kesey’s masterclass in tension demonstrates not only how to write a compelling novel, but also how power and authority are easily gained and even more easily lost. Exploring themes of power, individual expression, and the human condition, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest creates a timeless narrative that you can always go back to. There is always something new to glean from these pages. Since its release in 1962, Kesey has been astonishing readers with his powerful characters, and vivid examination of what it means to be a part of society.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest does what any great literary work should, it makes us question the human condition and then makes us question it further.