I recently found this particular book at the local library after searching for a copy for several years in order to read it. The book in question, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey, which is often considered a modern classic. It tells the story of Randle P. McMurphy as he faces life inside a mental health institute or an asylum. He gets committed there on purpose thinking it would be an easier life than being sentenced to a work camp for his various crimes, none of which were particularly severe or violent. As soon as he gets there McMurphy does his absolute best to liven things up by encouraging the other patients to stand up for themselves against the nurses. McMurphy starts squaring off against the nurse in charge, commonly referred to as the Big Nurse but whose name is actually Nurse Ratched. In doing so, McMurphy becomes aware of what life is actually like in an institute where the patients are continually facing the threat of electro-shock treatments or lobotomies for unruly behavior, which is any behavior that the nurses think would disrupt life on the ward. The story is actually told from the perspective of a man known as Chief, a half Indian who pretends to be deaf and mute in order to get by without being punished by the nurses and orderlies. As the story progresses and McMurphy learns how to handle living in the asylum, Chief learns what it is to stand up for yourself and to do the right thing.
I know that this book is often considered controversial and is frequently put on banned book lists. This is something that I personally do not agree with. I can understand why people find it difficult to read though. This is a book that deals with the ugly and difficult side of humanity and of history, especially here in the U.S. By showing what life was really like in these kinds of places during the time the story takes place, the late 1950’s or the early 1960’s, it shines a light on how patients were mistreated and often brutalized by the very people who were supposed to be helping them. We often think now that places like that are supposed to help people get better but based on this book that was not always the case. The portrayal here indicates that during this time frame it often was making it worse. At minimum it was not actually helping the patients but was placing them in a sort of limbo. Not necessarily getting better but not getting worse either. It is because of this topic that the book is difficult. People don’t like reading books that are difficult but I am giving this book four out of five stars
Here’s the thing though. It is because of that exact reason that I would recommend this book to other people who have not read it yet. I know this is not the kind of book people typically enjoy. When I read it I didn’t exactly enjoy it myself. I did however come away from having read it feeling like I gained something from it because of what it talked about and discussed. I am not going to say that everyone should rush out and buy a copy of this book. That being said I genuinely think this is the kind of book that everyone should read at least once in their lifetime. Many people don’t like thinking about the ugly and difficult side of life and of history but sometimes we really need to think about it and face it. If we don’t how can we as a society work on being better than those who came before. This book, and others like it, make us think about those kinds of topics. They make us face the problems our society has had and have worked to overcome. I will also say be careful going in when you decide to read it as it does deal with the reality of life inside a mental health institute in the late 50’s or early 60’s, a life which was not pleasant for the average patient. Even if you genuinely think you won’t enjoy this book, consider reading it anyway. You never know, you may end up learning something from it. At the very least you may become more aware of certain aspects of the mental health field you weren’t aware of before. If you’ve read this book you are welcome to share your thoughts on it in the comments. I look forward to reading them as always.