One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

In One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, half American-Indian Chief Bromden, whom the authorities believe is deaf and dumb, tells the story of a mental institution ruled by Big Nurse on behalf of the all-powerful Combine. Into the terrifying grey world comes McMurphy, a brawling gambling man, who wages total war on behalf of his cowed fellow inmates. What follows is at once hilarious and heroic, tragic and ultimately liberating.

Ken Kesey’s first novel was published in 1962 and was adapted for the stage in 1963 by Dale Wasserman.