Tendo City

Just finished this book, which is just as brilliant as the movie. As with the movie, the ending gave me goosebumps. It's a pretty faithful adaptation, the key difference that it's told from the point of view of Chief Bromden. It's also a bit more surreal and symbolic, which made it interesting to read and try to parse out what's real, what's a metaphor, etc. Challenging in that regard, but written in a very straightforward, accessible way, without flowery or pretentious language.

Now I have to watch the movie again, naturally. Louise Fletcher PERFECTLY captures Nurse Ratchet, with her condescension, passive-aggression, and fake-smiling. That oscar was well-deserved. And of course, if you've seen the movie, it's impossible to read the book without picturing Jack Nicholson in all his mischievous, wise-ass glory. So much perfect casting and performances.

Very good movie, but it partly led to the abolishment of government provided mental health here in the US. It gave the impression that all mental wards are nightmarish places of mistreatment, so no one raised much of a fuss when they were abolished.

Now we see the consequences of that. While I would never wish the sort of care in the book and movie on someone, being homeless on the streets with those mental conditions is arguably worse. I guess what I'm saying is if there's malpractice, you root it out, don't throw out the baby with the bathwater.

V true

The book and film are both my second-favorites in their respective media. 

I actually do find it possible to not envision Nicholson as McMurphy due to having found a wonderful audio book version read by Mark Hammer. He gives McMurphy a southern drawl and it's unexpected and pleasant.

I'm going to expose my ignorance here, but I didn't like the movie. I adore Jack Nicholson, but the ending... it was sad and it let me down... I will never watch it again.

I do, however, watch The Shining every October.