Mysteries of Bowie and Other Oddities by Joseph Raffetto is a collection of stories that merge real characters and events with fictional ones and serve as a deep exploration of various political, historical, and societal topics. The book presents stories about George Orwell and Joseph Raffetto, offering a close look at their personalities and their influence on their environments. From getting shot in the neck in the Spanish Civil War to defending his stance against fascism and becoming a police officer in Burma, George’s exploits reflect his spontaneity and his nuanced political views. The author also looks into David Bowie’s background and his life before he helped take down the Berlin Wall by the end of the Cold War. The other stories in Mysteries of Bowie and Other Oddities focus on the themes of terrorism, dictatorship, pandemics, racism, love, family, and more.
The book delivers a deep exploration of history through its captivating portrayal of past civilizations. The reality of living in East Germany is made glaring with specific details regarding some peculiarities, such as the fact the Eastern German police, the Stasi, employed “one hundred thousand agents, more than three times the size of the Gestapo under Hitler”. These specific details about some political environments and war times from the past made me more appreciative of the freedom and peace many countries enjoy today.
The book’s fictional protagonists are seen dealing with various twists and thought-provoking problems. Their stories are never boring or predictable, leaving readers eager to discover their next moves and see their problems solved. One character goes from searching for his sister to falling for a girl and having to declare his true intentions, amidst several other complications.
Unfortunately, the randomness of the stories is somewhat disconcerting at times. Several themes are merged in some scenes, bringing the reader’s attention to too many things at once.
Fortunately, readers who enjoy books that mirror reality and provoke deep thoughts about societal issues will appreciate the book’s thoughtfully selected themes. For example, the reality of a strict government that’s witnessing a pandemic is portrayed vividly with discussions about rationed food and a fumigated city with people living underground.
I enjoyed Mysteries of Bowie and Other Oddities and learned from it a great deal about the power of art and creative endeavors in securing freedom and influencing politics. The book takes us to interesting historical times and offers a lifelike portrayal of some amazing, legendary characters. The tales about the fictional characters are not only entertaining and highly suspenseful. They hold several profound messages for readers who are passionate about politics, positive societal values, and welcoming diversity.
