One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest - struggling....

[BrianCoxandTheTempleofDOOM]

Hi,

Started to read this last week, have never seen the film and have no knowledge of the book as such.

I am struggling to stick with it, but as it is a classic and many people have raged about it to me, I need to carry on - don't I?

Is it worth sticking with or is this one of those books that you either love or hate?

Gatsy is NOT boring!!

Once you have studied it at a higher level, the amount of clever imagery, suggestion and manipulation is truly fascinating. Yes, on the surface it is just a bunch of jazz happy idiots with more money than sense but my goodness there is so much more to it than that....

I have studied it at a higher level - still don't like it much though.

I love the fact that books can cause such intense emotions either way. :)

Read the book first, stick with it, it's my favourite book of all time, it really is worth it.
I read it for the first time when I was just a kid and really struggled, as it wasn't until after I'd finished the book and spoke to my dad about it (who, tbh, I was trying to impress by reading it in the first place) and he told me that the Chief was crazy, (I somehow missed that point, despite him being in a lunatic asylum) that I began to understand his long ramblings.
Then watch the film. I love the film, too, (JN my favourite actor) but there are changes from the story in the book.

Hi everyone, sorry for running from the thread, had a busy day.

Great to hear other people's opinions on books that I have tried and failed to read - Anna Karenina being another!

I have a list now of books that I will read with a more open mind (rather than reading it and expecting wonders as it is a classic) thanks to this thread.

Tufty, thank you for the offer - very kind of you, I have this evening found out that my very own Mum has a copy and she has offered it to me, she said it was 'ok but overrated'

If it is easy to read though, I have to have a go don't I!

Grapes of Wrath is one of Mum's all time favourite films, not sure if she has read the book. I'm not good with depressing books as such, if I am feeling down then I get too involved and it becomes a chore to read. If I am in an ok mood then I can cope weirdo

So, stick with Cuckoo's Nest and then read Catcher just to see what it's all about (or not as the case may be) and then Steinbeck. If I rate Cuckoo's Nest I will give the Cool Aid Acid Test a read too. However, Gatsby is possibly not on my to-read list

All before April when Baby Boy makes an appearance and any spare time I get will be spent sleeping instead of reading

Just wanted to update.

I stuck with it and actually thought it was a good story and although I can't say I liked it as such, in that it is a difficult book to say you enjoyed (due to the subject matter) I am pleased that I didn't give up on it.

I loved the character of McMurphy and his affect on the Combine etc, I think I need to read a bit around the story line for any points I missed. Or just watch the film as suggested earlier in the thread

I may have shed a little tear at the end.

Have just started Catcher, so far I agree - very easy read (especially in comparison to Cuckoo's Nest).