In this rereading series, spanning several years, I’ve revisited books I initially read nearly a decade ago, sharing my thoughts on these second readings. My last rereading post was on the novel, A Wooden Sea by Jonathan Carroll, and my feelings upon that reread were mixed, despite Carroll being one of my favorite novelists.

Well, I reread Mr. Breakfast, Carroll’s most recently published novel from a couple of years ago. I really enjoyed the story of failed comedian Graham Patterson and how his life changes when he gets a magical tattoo that enables him to see alternate versions of his life and has to choose one to remain in permanently.

My original review covers the gist of the novel. However, I want to write about the principal theme of Carroll’s life-affirming novel. Choices. The ones we make and the ones we do not make. The course of one’s life is often unpredictable and subject to forces beyond one’s control. Our choices are ours to control, and it’s how we navigate these choices with courage, wisdom, or perhaps a blend of both – that defines the richness and texture of our lives.

I enjoyed reading about Graham Patterson’s alternate lives and the choice he finally made at the end of the novel. Carroll uses magic and surrealism to create a realistic portrait of a creative person trying to make the best of his life choices. And as a creative person, I could not only relate to Graham’s journey but see how many of my own choices has the created the life I’ve lived so far.

Neil Gaiman’s blurb on the book cover says, “A beautiful, brilliant, meditation on art, love, inspiration and what makes life worthwhile.” I wholeheartedly agree. Mr. Breakfast is a mature novel that I will read again and again and get something new out of it each time. And that’s one of the best compliments I can give to a work of art.