|

        Click here to expand and collapse the player

        Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa PuffsA Low Culture Manifesto

        Chuck Klosterman

        Rate It! Avg: 4.0 (15 ratings)

        Summary

        Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs

        By: Chuck Klosterman

        Narrarated by: Chuck Klosterman

        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, Pamela Anderson and literary Jesus freaks. 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, and politics but — really — it's about us. All of us. As Klosterman realizes late at night, in the moment before he falls asleep, "In and of itself, nothing really matters. What matters is that nothing is ever 'in and of itself.'"

        Sample Audiobook
        Audiobook Information
        EDITOR'S PICK // New York Times Best Seller

        Total File Size: 163 MB (5 files) Total Length: 5 Hours, 57 Minutes

        eMusic Pick

        eMusic Review 0

        Avatar Image
        Sam Adams

        eMusic Contributor

        Sam Adams writes for the Los Angeles Times, the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Onion A.V. Club, Time Out New York, Time Out Chicago, Cowbell and the Philadelphia Ci...more »

        06.25.08
        Chuck Klosterman, Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs
        2008 | Label: Audioworks

        The high priest of Gen-X navel gazing, Chuck Klosterman proudly elevates his personal obsessions to the level of cultural studies. From Saved by the Bell to the Pamela Anderson/Tommy Lee sex tape, Klosterman finds ways into the dark, sticky heart of American popular culture, its arteries clogged with mindlessly consumed junk and free-floating detritus. In one of the book’s signature essays, Klosterman mounts an enthusiastic defense of a Guns ‘n’ Roses tribute band: better an imitation of greatness than mediocre originality. Detractors will find it hopelessly self-indulgent, and the sensitive of ear may shy away from Klosterman’s nasal speaking voice, but those with a taste for pop-culture excess will dive right in.

        Write a Review 3 Member Reviews

        Please register before you review a release. Register

        user avatar

        Awesome Synthesis of PopCulture and Pop-Philosophy

        PaulMorel

        I am amazed that the other reviewers didn't enjoy this book. Maybe Klosterman's writing isn't for everyone; certainly he isn't going to have the wide appeal of David Sedaris. Also, If you weren't born between 1970 and 1990 then you might miss a lot of his references ... but if you are a child of the media age - if you laugh at witty one-liners that tie together John Cusack and the psychology of modern relationships - if you watched terrible 90s sitcoms, and still enjoy them even though you know they are trash - if you consume blogs like you breathe - then you will probably enjoy this book. As a person who embraces pop-culture and new media, I think Chuck Klosterman's writing is brilliant and nuanced. His other book, "Eating the Dinosaur," is better than this one, but both are worth the price of admission.

        user avatar

        i tried

        smoothrideondopamine

        i have really tried to like this book, i told myself if i manage to go pass the half the rest will be pure enjoyment. it wasn't. it was something between listening to president Bush and pulling teeth. unless you like listening to bush...this is poooop.

        user avatar

        UnReal Life (and not interesting)

        SimpleMan

        I downloaded this and David Sedaris' new book for a long road trip. While the comparison may not be fair, this book just does not read as well. Chuck Klosterman led a uneventful life, knows way too much about very mundane movies, shows (e.g. MTV's Real Life), celebrities and then attempts to weave this knowledge into some sort of life lesson. Some parts where I actually knew the referenced worked and the questionnaire is pretty interesting, However, overall the book is about as interesting as the shows and celebrities to which he tries to relate his world.

        Also By This Author

        eMusic Features

        eMusic's Best Books of the Decade
        0

        eMusic’s Best Books of the Decade

        By eMusic Editorial Staff, eMusic Contributor

        Listening to a book is often a very different experience from reading one, so coming up with a list of the decade's best was a challenging task. Exquisite prose and craftsmanship are key elements of great reads, of course, but these books also have to sound good through headphones. Tight plotting and riveting narrative performances are crucial. The best audiobooks of the past ten years may not all be worthy of fancy literary prizes (although… more »