Sometimes a Great Notion
| First edition | |
| Author | Ken Kesey | 
|---|---|
| Language | English | 
| Publisher | Viking Press | 
| Publication date | July 27, 1964 | 
| Publication place | United States | 
| Media type | Print (Hardback and Paperback) | 
| Pages | 715 | 
| OCLC | 71045661 | 
| 813/.54 22 | |
| LC Class | PS3561.E667 S6 2006 | 
Sometimes a Great Notion is the second novel by American author Ken Kesey, published in 1964. While One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1962) is more famous, many critics consider Sometimes a Great Notion Kesey's magnum opus. The story involves an Oregon family of gyppo loggers who cut trees for a local mill in opposition to unionized workers who are on strike.
Kesey took the title from the song "Goodnight, Irene", popularized by Lead Belly.
Sometimes I lives in the country
Sometimes I lives in the town
Sometimes I haves a great notion
To jump into the river an' drown