Day 207 – I went to look at one of the books, but I’m scared to. I’m scared to do anything (pg 140)

I did happen to finish One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest about 4 weeks ago, I have just been terribly hopeless at blogging. Thankfully I did write down all of my thoughts soon after I finished the book so my review is quite ‘fresh’ I assure you!

One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey is quite a disturbing book. I had previously seen a short scene from the film while at film school so my experience of the book was a little tainted. The story takes place in a mental asylum in the 1960s (which is when it was written and am assuming when it is set).

The tone of the story reminded me a little of Catcher in the Rye. Interesting side note, during his life J. D. Salinger would not allow Catcher in the Rye to be made into a film. Now that he has passed away, apparently Hollywood directors are falling all over themselves to try and secure the rights... a shame really I think. I am however quite interested to see One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest on screen now.

The descriptions Kesey provides from the point of view of the main character the ‘Chief’ about the life in the asylum and the forest of his childhood are magical.

The way the ward is described creates an atmosphere, although oppressive and confined, that is accepted without question by the reader.

A confronting but also beautiful book, if I was to give out stars... 4 stars from me!

74 days remaining, 18 books to go.

Day 76 – Goddam money. It always ends up making you blue as hell. (Pg 147)

I could fill you in, in detail, on what has happened since I last blogged, however to be honest, I am pretty much back where I started. There was the seemingly promising position on an American / Australian film production which all came to nothing, the possibility of ‘full time’ temp work (that may well be an oxymoron) that made me sick to my stomach, oh and news that the company I used to work for that owes me money appears to be going bankrupt... I’m not to sure what to make of all this, so I am trying to let it all go and start afresh with my doco projects, a room full of books, and as much courage as I can presently muster.

Things are still moving on the book front. I’ve just finished Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger. I first read it over a year ago, knowing it was a classic but having no idea what to expect. This time around I couldn’t remember much about it, all I knew was I had enjoyed it and asked for my own copy. I thus received this one as a Christmas gift last year.

It’s an interesting read. I think what I like most is the way you are spoken to by the main character Holden Caulfield, it’s so real and has me thinking in the same way that he speaks. All you have to do is read it and it’ll kill you, honest to god it will, it’ll stop you right there in your tracks, you just have to be there and it’ll knock you down no kidding.

There isn’t much to the story, but it somehow manages to pull you in. Even though Caulfield is quite useless and gets himself in to numerous small scrapes, you want to keep on going with him. I’m not sure what all the literary people, critics, teachers and students have had to say about it and why it’s such an important book, all I know is it’s different and not half bad.

209 days remaining, 28 books to go.