A very interesting novel first published in 1962. There's definitely some significant racism and sexism in here that wouldn't be tolerated today. The central theme of the novel is institutional power, in this case in the form of a nurse's power over her patients inside a mental hospital, but it's meant as a reflection on the wider concept.
We see McMurphy's fierce individualism, independence, and belief in himself under attack and eroded over time in an effort to make him fit in to continue the "efficient" operation of the hospital. It's a thought provoking example of how power wielded without compassion can lead to catastrophic outcomes.
Imagine applying McMurphy's feelings of being trapped under a weight of meaningless rules, deprivations and indignities to other power relationships: government/citizen, white/black, employer/employee.
4 stars.
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