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Sometimes a Great Notion Audiobook
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(4.00) - 9,044 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
A literary icon sometimes seen as a bridge between the Beat Generation and the hippies, Ken Kesey scored an unexpected hit with his first novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. His successful follow-up, Sometimes a Great Notion was also transformed into a major motion picture, directed by and starring Paul Newman. Here, Oregon's Stamper family does what it can to survive a bitter strike dividing their tiny logging community. And as tensions rise, delicate family bonds begin to fray and unravel.
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"A riveting account of a rural logging town in the Pacific northwest. Tells the tales of cyclic Oregon weather and one family's struggle to make ends meet even at the expense of neighbors and acquaintances. Also contains subtler themes of adultery, revenge, determination and self-realization."
— Andrew (4 out of 5 stars)
Sometimes a Great Notion Listener Reviews
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" Some say that Cuckoo's nest is his best work, but for me, Sometimes a Great Notion is Kesey's best. It is my favorite. "
— Tina, 2/7/2014 -
" Absolutely incredible book...in my top ten. Don't bother seeing the movie. "
— Pamela, 1/20/2014 -
" Hard to get into but once you're past the first hundred pages the characters win you over completely. Wonderful descriptions of the Pacific Northwest, so my rating may be a bit skewed. "
— Molly, 1/19/2014 -
" When I first read this book I was captivated by the saga of the Stamper clan. I wanted to run away to the Great North Woods and become a lumberjack. I've reread this book twice. It's one of the best American novels of the 20th century. "
— Robert, 1/15/2014 -
" Easily one of the best five books I've ever read. "
— John, 1/15/2014 -
" Long, winded, wet. Fantastic ending! "
— Frank, 1/14/2014 -
" One for the ages. Independent spirits against nature and entrenched institutions and people. Will the Waconda Agua claim the Stamper house or anything of yours? Never give an inch. "
— Don, 1/12/2014 -
" A must read for those who grew up in the Pacific Northwest. It embodies the feel of an Oregon winter. "
— Paula, 1/6/2014 -
" The rhythm of this book takes a while to get used to, but once you do it makes perfect sense. An incredible story. "
— Jeff, 12/26/2013 -
" Easily one of my top three favorite books! "
— Kurt, 12/4/2013 -
" One of the best books I've ever read. Beautiful prose which captures the essence of Oregon fantastically. Wonderful story line with complex characters you will fall in love with. "
— Caleb, 12/3/2013 -
" This sounds really good, but it was hard to get through "
— Sara, 11/26/2013 -
" one of the best books ever "
— David, 11/5/2013 -
" This book is a goddamn masterpiece. That is all. "
— Jason, 9/13/2013 -
" This one Tom DID recommend to me. Very good. Great story and wonderful experimenting with form. "
— Les, 12/6/2012 -
" My Kesey phase ended here. A good book, sometimes a great book, but it's his double in the gap to Cuckoo's game-winning walk-off grand slam. "
— Zach, 11/15/2012 -
" Required reading for any Oregonian "
— Drexell, 10/13/2012 -
" To me this was a better book than Cuckoos Nest and I thought here was a novelist that I could follow for many years. But I found all his subsequent books to be disappointing. "
— Mike, 9/18/2012 -
" This book contains one of the most powerful scenes I have ever read. While "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" is the most commonly cited work by Kesey (and, it is deservedly so), this novel is well worth the time as well. Don't want to say anything more - discover it! "
— Mary, 9/13/2012 -
" My all-time favorite book. It's been several years since I read it, and I can't wait for the day I read it again. It's not for everyone, but it seems like those able to get past the first 5 pages can't help but adore it! "
— Brent, 5/5/2012 -
" Among my Top Ten all time favorites. "
— Wendy, 12/7/2011 -
" My absolute favorite book. The first 100 pages are hard but it is worthit! "
— Bmactrot, 12/4/2011 -
" This book is a large part of my decision to move to Oregon "
— Alice, 11/7/2011 -
" It drove me crazy and I can't stop thinking about it. I think that means that Ken Kesey did something right! "
— Kara, 7/17/2011 -
" kesey could have used an editor, but this book remains the quintessential reader for an understanding of the recent past of the Pacific Northwest. I grew up with these people. And his descriptions of the physical environment are lovely, loving and deeply touching. "
— Billymojo, 4/9/2011 -
" Sad fun fact: I read this because James Mercer was. Kesey's good shit. "
— April, 3/28/2011 -
" My fave of all Kesey's novels. Language as free as the Oregon wilderness. "
— Ed, 3/21/2011 -
" I REALLY tried to like this book, the author being one of the most loved locals. But I just didn't. Sorry. "
— M, 2/19/2011 -
" The great American novel. Simple as that, really. "
— Paul, 2/7/2011 -
" My absolute favorite book. The first 100 pages are hard but it is worthit! "
— Bmactrot, 1/31/2011
About Ken Kesey
Ken Kesey (1935–2002) was born in Colorado and grew up in Oregon. As a young man he exhibited the charisma and imagination that would later make him an icon and one of the founders of the American counterculture. He received a scholarship to attend Stanford University, where he enrolled in the creative writing program. His first book, One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest, was followed by Sometimes a Great Notion. His bus trip from California to New York City with his friends, who called themselves the Merry Pranksters, became the subject of Tom Wolfe’s book The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test.
About Tom Stechschulte
Tom Stechschulte (1948–2021) was an acclaimed narrator and winner of the prestigious Audie Award for Best Narration. He had been a college athlete and business major when a friend dared him to audition for a play. He got the part and traded the locker room for the dressing room, eventually taking him to New York City and to recording audiobooks.