First of all, this book isn’t about Wheaties. While the title is, in fact, a nod to the breakfast treat--to avoid any lawsuits, Vonnegut declared that his intent was not “intended to disparage their fine products.” We won’t ruin the actual appearance of the title in the novel, but it is definitely said with irony.

This novel is sort of a big party for many of Vonnegut’s past characters from other stories. Kilgore Trout, a pulp science fiction writer, also appeared in GOD BLESS YOU, MR. ROSEWATER, SLAUGHTERHOUSE-FIVE, JAILBIRD, TIMEQUAKE, and assorted short stories. The plot is also pretty crazy. Trout received the honor of delivering a keynote address at a local arts festival in Midland City. There, he crosses paths with the other main character, Dwayne Hoover, a local businessman who owns much of Midland City. While undergoing mental collapse, Hoover seeks out Trout and asks for his help. In reply, Trout gives him a copy of his novel. Dwayne reads the novel and believes it to be a message from the Creator of the Universe and that the messageis that Dwayne is the only individual in the universe with free will and that everyone else is a robot.

This is a very dangerous thing to believe in. We won’t give away the ending, but the novel, as absurd as the plot was, was a rip-roaring good time. If you loved SLAUGHTERHOUSE-FIVE for all of its whimsy, you’ll surely get a chuckle out of BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS. The hand-drawn pictures (by Vonnegut, himself!) were particularly humorous.