One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest – Ken Kesey
Series: Standalone
Genre: Classic Literature • Psychological Fiction • Social Commentary
 
Tropes:
Institutional power vs. individual rebellion
Unreliable narrator
Anti-authoritarian hero
 
Summary:
Set in a rigidly controlled psychiatric hospital, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest follows the arrival of Randle P. McMurphy—a loud, rebellious, charismatic inmate whose refusal to conform threatens the authority of the cold and manipulative Nurse Ratched. Through the eyes of Chief Bromden, a long-silent patient who sees more than he lets on, McMurphy’s battle against the institutional system becomes a symbol of resistance, dignity, and the human desire for freedom.
As McMurphy brings laughter, courage, and chaos to the ward, the fragile balance between control and autonomy collapses, leading to a devastating confrontation with devastating consequences. Kesey’s novel remains a powerful critique of oppressive systems and a cornerstone of American counterculture literature.