One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

50th Anniversary Edition

By: Ken Kesey, Robert Faggen - introduction

Narrated by: John C. Reilly

Length: 10 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

A 50th-anniversary edition of Ken Kesey's searing American classic.

Boisterous, ribald, and ultimately shattering, Ken Kesey's One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest has left an indelible mark on the literature of our time. Turning conventional notions of sanity and insanity on their heads, the novel tells the unforgettable story of a mental ward and its inhabitants, especially tyrannical Big Nurse Ratched and Randle Patrick McMurphy, the brawling, fun-loving new inmate who resolves to oppose her. We see the story through the eyes of Chief Bromden, the seemingly mute half-Indian patient who witnesses and understands McMurphy's heroic attempt to do battle with the powers that keep them all imprisoned.

Hailed upon its publication as a "glittering parable of good and evil" (The New York Times Book Review) and a "roar of protest against middlebrow society's Rules and the invisible Rulers who enforce them" (Time), Kesey's powerful book went on to sell millions of copies and remains as bracing and insightful today as when it was first released. This new deluxe audio edition commemorates the 50th anniversary of the original publication of the novel on February 1, 1962, and will be a must have for any literature lover.

©1990 Ken Kesey (P)2012 Penguin Audiobooks

A Classic

This book was on several Top 100 lists, prompting me to read it this time around.

John C. Reilly's performance was pitch-perfect for this novel.

Having not seen the movie yet, I think that let me appreciate the book as it stands.

The writing was sharp and witty, the characters were developed, and the plot moved with a purpose. What's not to like about this novel has been overlooked in favor of all of the good qualities.

John C. Reilly might be the best narrator ever!

This classic book was great, I really loved the tragic story. John C. Reilly really brought the book to life though, he's an incredible narrator!

Tremendous Book Fantastically Performed

John C. Riley's reading of One Flew Over the Coo Coo's Nest was the best audio book performance I have ever heard.

very etertaining i will reread this book often!!

If you could sum up One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest in three words, what would they be?

entertaining, good listen!!

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

i remember the meetings especially the one where you found out how dishonest nurse rached was when they wanted to watch the world series and the chief finally voted and due to the technicality the meeting was closed she refused to recognized the vote even tho she announced it was closed only a few seconds before he raised his hand.

she was a control freak and had a mean spirit.

Have you listened to any of John C. Reilly’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

first one. good read. he really got into the characters!!!!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

i enjoyed it. i rarely laugh or cry because of a book. i have read this before in print and seen the movie (many times). this is my first audio read reading. it is in the top 10 percent of my books

Any additional comments?

i recommend this book to almost everyone. such a good story!

Great story of individualism, struggle, uniformity

I know of the acclaimed movie but I haven't seen it, and so the specifics of what happens were a bit of a surprise to me. But what really struck me were the images and ideas of the orderly machine-like rhythms of world that the asylum was trying to create, light that sneaks in through the fog in laughter and friendship, and the battle of men who are trying to assert their humanity and individuality in the face of someone trying to stand on them to maintain power.

There's a lot of misogyny in the book's themes, but the book is a product of it's time. The narration took a while to get used to, but in the end it was fine.

Fantastically read

John C Reilly brings this book to life. If you're in the fence, I strongly recommend you buy it.

Best narration I’ve ever heard

Amazing story. Amazing narration. Will be looking for more John C Reilly in the future

Great narration

This is an excellent production. John C Riley really nailed it! Great way to experience a classic.

AAA+++ novel with top-notch performance by John C Reilly

On its own right this is a fantastic story that introduces one of the most controversial, iconic characters of modern literature in Patrick McMurphy. That said, every once in a while the narration of an audiobook lifts the overall experience to an even higher level then the novel on its own...this is one such case. I’ve been a fan of John C Reilly‘s work as an actor for many years but this read of Cuckoo’s Nest is one of the top performance of his career.

Amazing Book

I have been meaning to read this book since high school. I thought it was absolutely fantastic. As a side note, the music at the beginning of the narrative, does not last throughout the entire novel. I cannot say enough good things about this book. It's a must read!