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Type of bind: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN num: 9780143039860
ISBN number: 0143039865
Label: Penguin Classics
Manufacturer: Penguin Classics
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 736
Printing Date: August 29, 2006
Publishing house: Penguin Classics
Sale Popularity Level: 28137
Studio: Penguin Classics
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The magnificent second novel from the legendary author of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
Following the astonishing sucess of his very first novel, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Ken Kesey wrote what Charles Bowden calls “one of the few essential books written by an American in the last half century.” This wild-spirited tale tells of a bitter strike that rages through a small lumber town along the Oregon coast. Bucking that strike out of sheer cussedness are the Stampers. Out of the Stamper family’s rivalries and betrayals Ken Kesey has crafted a novel with the mythic impact of Greek tragedy.
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Rated by buyers 
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Ken Kesey's "Sometimes a Great Notion" builds on the ever-present themes of Shakespeare as well as the writing style of William Faulkner and succeeds beyond all expectations. Themes of jealousy, betrayal, love, hate, fear, family, individuality, self-reliance, gender roles in American society, and Western Individualism vs. Eastern Intellectualism are all present in the novel and expressed in the narrative style of William Faulkner's "Absalom, Absalom!".
This, in my opinion, is the Great American Novel, as well as the last essential novel of the 20th Century and beyond. Kesey's incredible sense of detail places the reader directly in the wet Oregon Coastal winter in which the story takes place. The narrative may be difficult to deal with at first, but Kesey places markers to signal a change in perspective and once a rhythm is established, it becomes much easier to understand. The novel also gives us a glimpse at Post-Korean War America. Modernist themes can be found throughout the novel and make for some of the most interesting reading in the entire novel.
For those who prefer shorter novels, you will almost certainly prefer Kesey's "Cuckoo's Nest" to "SAGN"--however, if you are more interested in grand, timeless, and far-sweeping themes, character development, lush description, and a great story, choose "Sometimes a Great Notion". This is the novel by the author who could have been the subsequent Faulkner if he had chosen a different road. Do not cheat yourself out of a wonderful read. Do yourself a favor and read "Sometimes a Great Notion".
Rated by buyers -
Kesey gives your inner hero a big kick in the pants. Every man has a struggle and that struggle is important. Never give an inch in doing what you do and becoming who you are. This isn't just a novel, it's dynamite! My all-time favorite book ... by far.
Rated by buyers -
I agree with other reviewers that this is one of the greats, and better in some ways than the also impressive Cuckoo's Nest. This book has everything, laugh out loud absurdity, passion, tragedy, misunderstanding in human relationships,and when you consider how young Ken K. was when he wrote it, even more impressive. Ultimately it is about one relationship and the fulfillment of that relationship is one of the most satisfying in fiction.
Please, please do not see that horrible movie! It is absolutely the worst book-to-movie I have ever seen. The personality of every important character is altered, in most cases beyond recognition. The main character's wife, for instance, an intriguing person of depth and subtlety is flattened into a shallow and insensitive cardboard cutout. Every major event is changed, and it such a way that one has no sense of the meaning conveyed in the book.
Read the book. Skip the movie. It's worth your time.
Rated by buyers -
I cannot recall the last time I enjoyed reading a novel as much as I did reading this book. Ken Kesey created a masterpiece when he wrote this book. Reading this novel was like entering into another world, complete with characters so rich and believable that they will stay with you long after you finish the last page.
"I think 'Sometimes a Great Notion' is the best thing I'll ever write," Ken Kesey once said from his home in Pleasant Hill, Ore. "Writing it was much different from 'Cuckoo's Nest,' which often seemed like filling in the blanks.
"'Notion,' to my mind, is a great piece of work. People sometimes ask me why I don't write something like that again and I reply that I simply can't. I can't keep all that in my head at once anymore. Why, on 'Notion,' I used to work 30 hours at a stretch -- you've got to have youth to do that."
All in all, a tremendous piece of work that will leave you stunned and in awe of this man's creative talents. No wonder he didn't write another book for 20 years; there was nothing left to say or to prove after this novel.
Rated by buyers -
All your pundantry, your eastcoastcentricty......No its not Tender is the Night....its not The Great Gatsby, its not Look Homeward Angel, its not...Tropic of Capricorn, or On The Road....its not Grapes of Wrath, V., Catcher in the Rye, Under the Volcano....its not Moby Dick, its not Leaving Cheyanne....all great contenders...Its the Great American novel.....Take this one in....marvel in its depth...its bold dream scape of reality across this land to the great Northwest........ come on, you all better look back....this IS the Great American Novel....
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