I thought "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" was a much better book

[DrWeird]

than it was a movie.

The pacing was a lot better. All of the patients are actual characters and not just back drops. You get a wonderful backstory for The Chief. Nurse Ratchet is far more evil. The fishing trip is much more meaningful and not just a "wild day out for the crazies." And you finally get to know where the hell the title comes from.

Your opinions?

[BOSSHOG]

1. I must admit

I never read the book, but thought the movie was awesome. I have been a nicholson fan since way before Cuckoo when he did one of those Hammer Horror Movies. Because of your post I will read the book. If it is better than the movie, it must be quite an exceptional read. Nurse Ratchet - "far more evil" - My God. Thanks for the inspiration to shop. I have a B-N gift card I got for Christmas and now have a reason to use it.

[jdonaldball]

2. Condi Rice is our Nurse Ratched now

[Ekirh]

3. I love both....

But the book is much better. Nurse Ratchet is way evil in the book. I mean she's portrayed decently in the movie, but god did I ever hate her reading the book.

Still an excellent movie though.

[Left Is Write]

4. I was reluctant to read the book.

It was assigned for a college class, and I just wasn't interested. I thought I'd be bored. I wound up reading the whole thing the day before the discussion, and I could have kicked myself for dragging my heels. It was a great book! It's been over 20 years since I read it, though.

[Crankie Avalon]

5. My opinion is...

that the book is better than the movie more often than the other way around.

Specific to "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," just to add to examples you already mentioned, The Chief was a MUCH fuller character in the book.

I liked the movie, as well, though.

[deutsey]

6. Yeah, the Chief as narrator in the book makes a huge difference

I like the movie, but the POV of the Chief is much more interesting.

Apparently, Ken Kesey was on some sort of hallucinogen when "met" the Chief.

[theboss]

7. I think the movie is better actually

I thought the book was unfocussed at times and the Nurse Ratchett character was almost a cartoon. In the movie her evil is far more specific and, well, it's Nicholson at his best.

[jonnyblitz]

8. it's been so long since i read the book/watched the movie

that I forget. I know I enjoyed both.

[ScreamingMeemie]

9. Agreed. I love the book...the film not so much. Your analysis is perfect.

The movie characters were not as dimensional. See, sometimes we agree on things. ;) :hi:

[fishwax]

10. the movie is a caricature, as are its characters

whereas the book provides the much more interesting perspective of Big Chief (which also brings the challenge of an unreliable narrator). I thought the movie was very well done and enjoyed it when I saw it, but the other patients are played for laughs in a way that does a disservice to the overall story, imo.