I must start this review with a hands-down kudos to Chuck Klosterman (the author) for completely relating to me on every level, on almost every page in his novel, Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs. The important lesson to be learned from this piece of literature is to never judge a book by its cover (or in my case, simply the front cover). I was unfamiliar with Klosterman prior to picking up this written piece of brilliance, largely due to a recommend by a colleague. Man, am I glad I did! Once again, I was blissfully aware of what the future head for me as I opened this book and scanned the preface.

The book is pieced together as a series of essay-like realizations founded on Klosterman’s intense beliefs and uncanny ability to draw parallelism between modern day philosophies and those educational/cultural phenomenons that defined our generation’s mindset and attitudes. That may sound incredibly deep, and depending on how you read Klosterman’s opinions, you’ll either complete agree and get swept up with his rationale, or simply allow it to skim the surface of your belief system.


As I made headway through the first few chapters (if you can technically call them that) of the book I found myself instantly turning on my brain to truly understand the meaning behind Klosterman’s words. I would be hard pressed to find an individual that feels 100% identical as I do towards this book as there are so many ideas and notions that can either impress or depress you, everyone’s experience is bound to be somewhat different. That one simple fact is what truly makes this book stand out among the crowd, forces me to take my hat off to Klosterman and credit him for being a brilliant master of language.

The parts of the book that stood out to me and I actually re-read back-to-back in one night are the chapter pertaining to the Porn industry and the effects it has had on the Internet’s worldwide acceptance and the section of the book (not really a chapter, per se) that discusses the twenty-three questions Klosterman asks any one person when they first meet to determine if he will in fact love them at some point during their friendship/relationship. I actually found myself regaling these questions to anyone who would listen/formulate an answer. He even has a question that includes the Saskatchewan Roughriders as part of the built up scenario – a man after my own heart, and melonhead!

Klosterman is a New York Times Bestseller (for obvious reasons), having written several novels over the years including Eating the Dinosaur, Downtown Owl, Chuck Klosterman IV and Killing Yourself to Live – I will be picking up all of these over the next few months, as Klosterman has officially made it on my ‘Writer’s to Watch’ list. His impeccable style has me speechless even as I type this note.

The description from the back of the novel, should you wish to gain further insight into Sex, Drugs and Cocoa Puffs before stopping at your local bookstore to pick it up for yourself;

Countless writers and artists have spoken for a generation, but no one has done it quite like Chuck Klosterman. With an exhaustive knowledge of popular culture and an almost effortless ability to spin brilliant prose out of unlikely subject matter, Klosterman attacks the entire spectrum of postmodern America: reality TV, Internet porn, Pamela Anderson, literary Jesus freaks, and the real difference between apples and oranges (of which there is none). And don’t even get him started on his love life and the whole Harry-met-Sally situation.

Whether deconstructing Saved by the Bell episodes or the artistic legacy of Billy Joel, the symbolic importance of The Empire Strikes Back or the Celtics/Lakers rivalry, Chuck will make you think, he’ll make you laugh, and he’ll drive you insane – usually all at once. Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs is ostensibly about art, entertainment, infotainment, sports, politics, and kittens, but – really – it’s about us. All of us. As Klosterman realizes late at night, in the moment before he falls asleep, “In an of itself, nothing really matters. What matters is that nothing if ever ‘in and of itself.’”

Read to believe.

Seriously, ready to believe. You won’t regret it.

For more information on the author, his books and other fun facts, check out his Wikipedia page:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuck_Klosterman

If you want to simply buy the book online, head over to Amazon.com and order a copy today!

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