One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest Audiobook By Ken Kesey cover art

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

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One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

By: Ken Kesey
Narrated by: Ken Kesey
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About this listen

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is one of the most electrifying, most admired novels of our time. Set in the bleak confines of a state mental hospital and narrated by a half-Indian patient named Chief Bromden, it's the story of a titanic battle of wills between two unforgettable characters.

On one side is Big Nurse, who rules her ward with iron discipline. On the other is Randle Patrick McMurphy, a lustful, brawling, life-loving new inmate who refuses to knuckle under to Big Nurse's soul-destroying methods. In the end, McMurphy pays the ultimate price for his defiance, but not before the rebellious spirit has shown Chief Bromden the way to reclaim his future.

©1962 Ken Kesey (P)1993 HighBridge Company
Classics Fiction Literary Fiction
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Critic reviews

"A glittering parable of good and evil." (The New York Times Book Review)
"A roar of protest against middlebrow society's Rules and the Rulers who enforce them." (Time)

What listeners say about One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

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Amazing.

Where does One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is my first audiobook—and a good one at that—which entices me to further pursue audiobooks in general.

What was one of the most memorable moments of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest?

The moment when McMurphy first entered the story.

Which scene was your favorite?

The fight scene because of its purpose, and overall development to the plot.

If you could rename One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, what would you call it?

"McMurphy and the Maniacs"

Any additional comments?

No.

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yes yes yes

a must read. the part at the end is enlightening to the stuff the CIA did in the past that not enough people talk about. ken is key to opening parts of the mind you may not know exist.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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great!

really great. narration was good. had some sound effects that didn't quite make sense. but really good book. definitely wild though not for the faint of heart

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Movie was better

Thought movie script more subtle and understated. The characters in movie also were more believable. And it has Jack!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Abridged, but by the Author

Only 3 hours. Read by Ken Kesey. Also has a little interview at the end!

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great classix

shorter than I would have imagined, not I'm a bad way since it was a free book.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Great Book

Interesting and captivating story and the author's interpretation makes it that much more interesting. After hearing the book, I had to see the movie, yeah, the book is far better. The interview with Ken Kesey is a very enjoyable addition to the download.

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7 people found this helpful

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Always A Rollercoaster

There is so much to love about this book. The characters are rich and vibrant, and the story never grows any less powerful over time.
We should all be so lucky as to have our lives narrated by Big Chief.
God bless Ken Kesey.

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Kesey kills it

Kesey read his novel marvelously! A true delight! The interview at the end was also interesting.

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Short story about the insane asylum with diverse characters and excellent plot.

This book was actually made into a movie at the movie theater: after reading it I really appreciate the quality of the movie. The narrator and author Ken Kesey did an exceptional job with the voices of the people contained in the book. I like the usage of the indian as the viewpoint for the entire book. All the different characters were distinct and relatable. The addition of the main character who may not have been insane at all and his desire to control what was happening in the insane asylum led him into direct conflict with the management at the asylum. This story includes shock therapy, drugs, and lobotomies. It's a look back to the past and the old ways of dealing with the insane.

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