logo
pagesback-cover
350
Reddit meter
all mentions

Sometimes a Great Notion

640 pages, 1977

fiction

fiction

1382 books
Takeaways
Description
In a small lumber town along the Oregon coast, a strike is raging. Bucking against this strike are the Stampers: Henry, the fiercely dynamic and powerful patriarch; Hank, the son who has tried to live up to his father's expectations; and Viv, who fell in love with Hanks's exuberant machismo but now finds it wearing thin. While Leland—Henry's bookish younger son—has returned to his family on a mission of revenge, he ends up fulfilling it in ways he never imagined. Out of the Stampers family rivalries, Ken Kesey crafted a mythic novel with the impact of Greek tragedy.
The Power of Family Bonds

In Sometimes a Great Notion, Ken Kesey explores the complex dynamics of the Stamper family. He shows us that even in the face of adversity and conflict, family bonds can be incredibly strong and enduring. It's a great reminder to appreciate our own families and work through any issues we might have.

The Struggle of Individualism

Kesey's characters are fiercely independent, often to their own detriment. The book encourages us to look at our own lives and consider whether we're striking the right balance between individualism and community. It's a call to find our own path, but not at the expense of our relationships.

The Impact of Environment

The rugged Oregon landscape is almost a character in its own right in Sometimes a Great Notion. Kesey uses it to show how our environment can shape us, for better or worse. It's a nudge to take a look at our own surroundings and see how they're influencing us.

The Complexity of Human Nature

Kesey doesn't shy away from showing the darker sides of his characters in this book. He reminds us that people are complex and flawed, and that's okay. It's a prompt to be more understanding and accepting of ourselves and others.

The Importance of Resilience

The characters in Sometimes a Great Notion face numerous challenges, but they keep going. Kesey is telling us that resilience is key to overcoming life's obstacles. It's a push to keep going, no matter what life throws at us.

Quotes 4

Sometimes a Great Notion is a grand, magnificent and daring piece of work, filled with a unique and compelling voice.

Tom WolfeTom Wolfe - Journalist, Novelist

Kesey's novel is a testament to the human spirit, a triumph of personal freedom over societal constraints.

Robert StoneRobert Stone - Acclaimed Novelist

Sometimes a Great Notion is a masterpiece, a work of genius that transcends time and place.

Ken BabbsKen Babbs - Author, Prankster

Kesey's novel is a powerful exploration of the human condition, a narrative that is both deeply personal and universally resonant.

Paul NewmanPaul Newman - Actor, Director
Tom WolfeRobert StoneKen BabbsPaul Newman

Recommendations

1
authorJordan Peterson

Jordan Peterson

educatormedia personalityscientistauthor