3 Review(s)

One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Ken Kesey’s debut novel, was published in 1962 and received immediate critical attention. The imaginative characters and innovative story structure made the novel ripe for commentary. Those who praise the novel point to the skillful interplay between whimsy and wisdom that is so prevalent throughout Kesey’s work. His use of humor and song have allowed him to address weighted themes without becoming too dry or heavy-handed. Other critics have concentrated on oversimplification of these same themes. Though the critical reactions have been mixed, few fail to acknowledge the extraordinary impact of Kesey’s first, most recognized novel. One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest has enjoyed critical success in three different mediums: the printed page, the dramatic stage and also on screen, where it was the most acclaimed film of 1976. Kesey’s characters and scenarios are memorable; his debut novel remains one of the most popular pieces of contemporary literature. VIVA MODERN CRITICAL INTERPRETATIONS presents the best current criticism on the most widely read and studied poems, novels and dramas of the Western world, from Oedipus Rex and the Iliad to such modern and contemporary works as William Faulkner’s The Sound and the Fury and Don Delillo’s White Noise. Table Of Contents Introduction One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and the Comic Strip Edge City (Ken Kesey) The Grail Knight Arrives: Ken Kesey, One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest Christ in the Cuckoo’s Nest: or, the Gospel According to Ken Kesey Salvation Through Laughter: Ken Kesey & the Cuckoo’s Nest Hustling to Some Purpose: Kesey’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest: "It’s True Even If It Didn’t Happen" The Plucky Love Song of Chief "Broom" Bromden: Poetry from Fragments One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest Musical Messages in Kesey’s Novels: You Can Tell a Man by the Song that He Sings The Carnival Artist in the Cuckoo’s Nest Chronology Contributors