• One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

  • By: Ken Kesey
  • Narrated by: Ken Kesey
  • Length: 3 hrs and 19 mins
  • 4.2 out of 5 stars (733 ratings)

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One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest  By  cover art

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

By: Ken Kesey
Narrated by: Ken Kesey
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Publisher's summary

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

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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It's a classic for a good reason

I had seen the movie, so I wasn't sure I needed to read the book. But, I'm trying to read all of the books listed in 1001 Books to Read Before You Die, so I downloaded this for a quick listen.

I should have known. Any book, even a short book like this one, has a different feel than a movie, a way of getting into a character's head and sloshing around inside. Unlike the movie, the book is told from the perspective of Chief, which provides an interesting way to look at a story you thought you knew. I found the ultimate consequences doled out (don't worry, no spoilers) much more painful in the book, even though I was expecting it this time. Kesey writes and narrates well, and it's a powerful complement to the movie.

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wow

I got the audio book for school, and its really good. I think its not exactly word for word, but I dont believe you will miss anything incredibly important.

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Bonus at the end

Loved hearing from the author at the end. Added extra depth to the work.

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Highly Recommended

Astonishing character development, as you can imagine. Different from the movie in some ways of course. VERY interesting interview with Kesey at the end, as a bonus.

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Way better than the movie!!!

Ken Kesey's actually the best narrator I've heard on audible. The movie was pretty good, but the book is worlds better.
Super trippy to hear everything from "Cheif Bromden" perspective.

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Awesome

I love this book and the author reads it well.

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Really good

I enjoyed this book so much with ken reading it! It has always been a favorite of mine - and this just put it over the top!

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Book vs. Movie

Until this audible listen, the movie was the only way I knew the story. After watching it again I decided listen to the book to see what I was missing. The book was great, but I found myself comparing every scene in the book to that which was in the movie. I liked the movie better.

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Amazing!

Great story! Great writer! Great subject. One of a kind in literature I enjoyed every minute

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Worth every second

An amazing book that at the end will leave you with a different perspective of life and the way the world works around us.

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