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thecaptainsquarters
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Ahoy there mateys! Here I take a second look at a previously enjoyed novel and give me crew me second reflections, as it were, upon visitin’ it again.
I listened to this in audiobook form and absolutely loved it. I worked on a theatrical production back in the day so a lot of the plot was still in me noggin. What is lost in the stage version (and movie) is how absolutely beautiful the writing is. Getting the story through the perspective of Chief Bromden really makes the story that much better. The voice of Bromden makes the events of the novel all the more harrowing. He comes across as a voice of reason but then has these wonderful interludes about technology that show how crazy he is. The novel is complex and layered and compelling. I believe I listened to narrator Tom Parker. He was fantastic. I highly recommend.
Side note: I liked discussing this book again with the First Mate so much that I demanded he write his thoughts. So here are some Tidings from the Crew from him:
From the First Mate: “Cuckoo’s Nest is one of those novels where my memories of it had been almost completely overwritten by having watched the film adaptation. Given how incredibly well made that film is, it’s not all that surprising that Louise Fletcher’s Nurse Ratched completely replaced the book version in my mind. Or that Nicholson’s McMurphy elbowed out the one that existed in Kesey’s prose. And, perhaps most damning, how the existence of the Combine faded from my memory entirely. So, the book I set about rereading turned out to be a somewhat different book than I was expecting.
Actually, I didn’t reread the book; I listened to the audio version read by John C. Reilly and it is incredible. Reilly makes for an awesome McMurphy. And I great Chief. And, really, all of the other characters. Seriously, if you’re going to listen to an audiobook version of Cuckoo’s Nest, please make it the John C. Reilly one. You won’t be disappointed.
I had remembered the book being well written, but I wasn’t really prepared for the level of sadness it contained. I know that it seems strange to not be prepared for a book about a psychiatric hospital and the patients therein to be sad, but, well, like I said, the movie was in my head. The book is populated with characters who are unable, for various reasons, to exist out in the world at large. Some of them, like the tragic Billy Bibbit or the germaphobe George Sorenson, likely will never get out due to their issues being nearly insurmountable. Others, like Dale Harding, are there entirely by choice because they feel intense shame at being in a world that wants them to be entirely something else. The shame, the lack of agency, and the fear of authority pervades all of the interactions amongst the patients. Kesey’s gift is to make you understand just how hard these people are trying and, sadly, failing.
My memory of Chief Bromden was completely wrong. Perhaps it was the parody of him in a Simpsons episode, but I truly had a memory that the Chief was just hanging out there, biding his time, and was the most normal of the patients. I was wrong. I was really, really wrong. The Chief believes he lives in a world controlled by the Combine. A world in which one can see the circuitry inside of a pill if one is fast enough when breaking it open.
Upon this reading, I was highly surprised to discover that I had sympathy for Nurse Ratched and scorn for McMurphy. I know that wasn’t the case with the film (who ever has sympathy for a character played by Louise Fletcher?), and I suspect teenaged me wouldn’t have been sympathetic to the authority figure either. But now I can see that she might have just been doing her job. Ratched and her staff probably won’t be able to help many of their patients. The methods employed may be making the situation worse (especially when viewed through a modern perspective). But McMurphy isn’t trying to help, either. McMurphy is just passing the time, and he cannot stand the authority or that others around him submit to it. I don’t think either character deserved what happened to them, but I felt way sorrier for Nurse Ratched.
Like I said, Cuckoo’s Nest is an extremely well written and incredibly sad book. I’m glad to have gotten a clearer memory of it back.”
Check out me other reviews at https://thecaptainsquartersblog.wordpress.com/
I listened to this in audiobook form and absolutely loved it. I worked on a theatrical production back in the day so a lot of the plot was still in me noggin. What is lost in the stage version (and movie) is how absolutely beautiful the writing is. Getting the story through the perspective of Chief Bromden really makes the story that much better. The voice of Bromden makes the events of the novel all the more harrowing. He comes across as a voice of reason but then has these wonderful interludes about technology that show how crazy he is. The novel is complex and layered and compelling. I believe I listened to narrator Tom Parker. He was fantastic. I highly recommend.
Side note: I liked discussing this book again with the First Mate so much that I demanded he write his thoughts. So here are some Tidings from the Crew from him:
From the First Mate: “Cuckoo’s Nest is one of those novels where my memories of it had been almost completely overwritten by having watched the film adaptation. Given how incredibly well made that film is, it’s not all that surprising that Louise Fletcher’s Nurse Ratched completely replaced the book version in my mind. Or that Nicholson’s McMurphy elbowed out the one that existed in Kesey’s prose. And, perhaps most damning, how the existence of the Combine faded from my memory entirely. So, the book I set about rereading turned out to be a somewhat different book than I was expecting.
Actually, I didn’t reread the book; I listened to the audio version read by John C. Reilly and it is incredible. Reilly makes for an awesome McMurphy. And I great Chief. And, really, all of the other characters. Seriously, if you’re going to listen to an audiobook version of Cuckoo’s Nest, please make it the John C. Reilly one. You won’t be disappointed.
I had remembered the book being well written, but I wasn’t really prepared for the level of sadness it contained. I know that it seems strange to not be prepared for a book about a psychiatric hospital and the patients therein to be sad, but, well, like I said, the movie was in my head. The book is populated with characters who are unable, for various reasons, to exist out in the world at large. Some of them, like the tragic Billy Bibbit or the germaphobe George Sorenson, likely will never get out due to their issues being nearly insurmountable. Others, like Dale Harding, are there entirely by choice because they feel intense shame at being in a world that wants them to be entirely something else. The shame, the lack of agency, and the fear of authority pervades all of the interactions amongst the patients. Kesey’s gift is to make you understand just how hard these people are trying and, sadly, failing.
My memory of Chief Bromden was completely wrong. Perhaps it was the parody of him in a Simpsons episode, but I truly had a memory that the Chief was just hanging out there, biding his time, and was the most normal of the patients. I was wrong. I was really, really wrong. The Chief believes he lives in a world controlled by the Combine. A world in which one can see the circuitry inside of a pill if one is fast enough when breaking it open.
Upon this reading, I was highly surprised to discover that I had sympathy for Nurse Ratched and scorn for McMurphy. I know that wasn’t the case with the film (who ever has sympathy for a character played by Louise Fletcher?), and I suspect teenaged me wouldn’t have been sympathetic to the authority figure either. But now I can see that she might have just been doing her job. Ratched and her staff probably won’t be able to help many of their patients. The methods employed may be making the situation worse (especially when viewed through a modern perspective). But McMurphy isn’t trying to help, either. McMurphy is just passing the time, and he cannot stand the authority or that others around him submit to it. I don’t think either character deserved what happened to them, but I felt way sorrier for Nurse Ratched.
Like I said, Cuckoo’s Nest is an extremely well written and incredibly sad book. I’m glad to have gotten a clearer memory of it back.”
Check out me other reviews at https://thecaptainsquartersblog.wordpress.com/
Ahoy there me mateys! I received this short story collection eARC from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. So here be me honest musings . . .
While I have read many of Jane Yolen’s works, most have been her novels. It has only been recently that I have been reading her short stories. And I have been missing out. I was saving this collection for a day when I needed a pick me up. So when I was stuck in rain and fog and feeling under the weather, I picked this up to be transported to a more magical time and place.
This collection has 16 varied tales. Like any collection, I liked some better than others. But all show Yolen’s skill and love of storytelling. In addition this book also had something I wasn’t expecting. The end of the book has author reflections on how the stories came to be along with some of her poetry. I don’t really know much about the author’s life but she sounds like one awesome lady and this look into her writing process was lovely.
I don’t want to spoil the magic of the stories and can’t really do them justice with me own paltry words but I will try to give ye an idea of the bare bones of the stories and me thoughts on me favourites:
“Andersen’s Witch” – a Snow Queen retelling with a wonderful twist; poignant and lovely start to the book
“Lost Girls” – a Peter Pan novelette where girls take over; this be me favourite of the collection by far and won the 1998 Nebula. I want to rave about how clever it is but can’t cause spoilers!
“Tough Alice” – the first Alice in Wonderland retelling wherein Alice has to fight her own battle and is entertainment for the Wonderland gang; there are three Wonderland stories in this collection. This was me favourite but it was wonderful to read and compare the differences between the three.
“Blown Away” – a tale of what really happened after Dorothy was sucked up by a tornado; this piece is where the collection title comes from. It is told from an awesome perspective that I wasn’t expecting. I also will never look at Toto the same way.
“A Knot of Toads” – a women goes back to her hometown for her father’s funeral and discovers the real reason behind her father’s death and also some truths about his life; witches and toads and Scotland. I loved it.
“The Quiet Monk” – a story about what actually happened to Lancelot; I have to admit that I am not the biggest fan of Arthurian tales but I loved the feel of this one and the fabulous ending.
“The Bird” – a story about Edgar Allan Poe and his wife Virginia. Oh and a raven of course; bittersweet and wonderful.
“Belle Bloody Merciless Dame” – this is about a treacherous elf on midsummer’s day; this was the weak link for me even though it was well written. I just didn’t love it.
“Jewel in the Toad Queen’s Crown” – fun piece about the relationship between Queen Victoria and Prime Minister Disraeli with magic of course!
“A Gift of Magicians” – a Beauty and the Beast story; my other favourite piece of the collection. The ending!
“Rabbit Hole” – what happens when Alice goes back down the rabbit hole at 80; such a cool concept.
“Our Lady of the Greenwood” – a Robin Hood origin story; because surely he had to come from somewhere; I particularly loved how he got his name.
“The Confession of Brother Blaise” – a Merlin origin story; this was me other least liked story. Though I did like the idea of the death bed confession. It was certainly different.
“Wonder Land” – the last Wonderland retelling, this time an Alice/little red riding hood mashup; this was me least favourite of the three. Allison is going through the woods to a friends house and meets scary creatures along the way.
“Evian Steel” – this was a tale about the forging of the sword for King Arthur; I loved that the women of the island forged the steel. This story was compelling and fascinating. Ye get to see where Guinevere comes from.
“Sister Emily’s Lightship” – This last story talk about Emily Dickinson meeting a Martian; Another Nebula winner for Best Short Story in 1997, what I most loved about it was Emily’s secret nocturnal life and her relationship with her dog.
I had to admit that I was immensely cheered up by reading this collection and will be thinking about me favourites for quite some time. If ye be a Jane Yolen fan, this should tickle yer fancy. If ye aren’t familiar with her work then this might be a good place to start. Arrrr!
So lastly . . .
Thank you Tachyon Publications!
Check out me other reviews at https://thecaptainsquartersblog.wordpress.com/
While I have read many of Jane Yolen’s works, most have been her novels. It has only been recently that I have been reading her short stories. And I have been missing out. I was saving this collection for a day when I needed a pick me up. So when I was stuck in rain and fog and feeling under the weather, I picked this up to be transported to a more magical time and place.
This collection has 16 varied tales. Like any collection, I liked some better than others. But all show Yolen’s skill and love of storytelling. In addition this book also had something I wasn’t expecting. The end of the book has author reflections on how the stories came to be along with some of her poetry. I don’t really know much about the author’s life but she sounds like one awesome lady and this look into her writing process was lovely.
I don’t want to spoil the magic of the stories and can’t really do them justice with me own paltry words but I will try to give ye an idea of the bare bones of the stories and me thoughts on me favourites:
“Andersen’s Witch” – a Snow Queen retelling with a wonderful twist; poignant and lovely start to the book
“Lost Girls” – a Peter Pan novelette where girls take over; this be me favourite of the collection by far and won the 1998 Nebula. I want to rave about how clever it is but can’t cause spoilers!
“Tough Alice” – the first Alice in Wonderland retelling wherein Alice has to fight her own battle and is entertainment for the Wonderland gang; there are three Wonderland stories in this collection. This was me favourite but it was wonderful to read and compare the differences between the three.
“Blown Away” – a tale of what really happened after Dorothy was sucked up by a tornado; this piece is where the collection title comes from. It is told from an awesome perspective that I wasn’t expecting. I also will never look at Toto the same way.
“A Knot of Toads” – a women goes back to her hometown for her father’s funeral and discovers the real reason behind her father’s death and also some truths about his life; witches and toads and Scotland. I loved it.
“The Quiet Monk” – a story about what actually happened to Lancelot; I have to admit that I am not the biggest fan of Arthurian tales but I loved the feel of this one and the fabulous ending.
“The Bird” – a story about Edgar Allan Poe and his wife Virginia. Oh and a raven of course; bittersweet and wonderful.
“Belle Bloody Merciless Dame” – this is about a treacherous elf on midsummer’s day; this was the weak link for me even though it was well written. I just didn’t love it.
“Jewel in the Toad Queen’s Crown” – fun piece about the relationship between Queen Victoria and Prime Minister Disraeli with magic of course!
“A Gift of Magicians” – a Beauty and the Beast story; my other favourite piece of the collection. The ending!
“Rabbit Hole” – what happens when Alice goes back down the rabbit hole at 80; such a cool concept.
“Our Lady of the Greenwood” – a Robin Hood origin story; because surely he had to come from somewhere; I particularly loved how he got his name.
“The Confession of Brother Blaise” – a Merlin origin story; this was me other least liked story. Though I did like the idea of the death bed confession. It was certainly different.
“Wonder Land” – the last Wonderland retelling, this time an Alice/little red riding hood mashup; this was me least favourite of the three. Allison is going through the woods to a friends house and meets scary creatures along the way.
“Evian Steel” – this was a tale about the forging of the sword for King Arthur; I loved that the women of the island forged the steel. This story was compelling and fascinating. Ye get to see where Guinevere comes from.
“Sister Emily’s Lightship” – This last story talk about Emily Dickinson meeting a Martian; Another Nebula winner for Best Short Story in 1997, what I most loved about it was Emily’s secret nocturnal life and her relationship with her dog.
I had to admit that I was immensely cheered up by reading this collection and will be thinking about me favourites for quite some time. If ye be a Jane Yolen fan, this should tickle yer fancy. If ye aren’t familiar with her work then this might be a good place to start. Arrrr!
So lastly . . .
Thank you Tachyon Publications!
Check out me other reviews at https://thecaptainsquartersblog.wordpress.com/
